1999 FORD WINDSTAR service

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Low fuel
Illuminates as an early reminder of a
low fuel condition indicated on the
fuel gauge. The light comes on when
there is approximately 1/16th of a
tank indicated on the fuel gauge
(refer toFuel gaugein this chapter
for more information). The ignition must be in the ON position for this
lamp to illuminate. The lamp will also illuminate for several seconds after
the ignition is turned to the ON position regardless of the fuel level.
Charging system
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and the
engine is off. The light also
illuminates when the battery is not
charging properly, requiring
electrical system service.
Traction ControlYactive (if equipped)
This light momentarily illuminates
when the ignition is turned to ON. It
also illuminates when the Traction
Controlysystem begins applying and
releasing the brakes and adjusting the
engine characteristics to limit a
wheelspin condition. It will be lit for a minimum of four seconds or for the
duration of the Traction Controlyevent.
For more information, refer to theDrivingchapter.
40
4080
120
160
20020
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6
760
80100
120MPH RPMX1000 THEFT
TRAC
ACTIVE TRAC
OFFTEMP
H
FFUEL
E
km/h
BRAKE
mi
O/D
OFF
TRAC
ACTIVE

Instrumentation
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Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. If the light
remains on or fails to illuminate,
have the system serviced
immediately. With the ABS light on, the anti-lock brake system is
disabled and normal braking is still effective unless the brake warning
light also remains illuminated with parking brake released.
Air bag readiness
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned ON. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to flash
or remains on, have the system
serviced immediately.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Engine oil pressure
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
and the engine is off. Illuminates
when the oil pressure falls below the
normal range. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible and switch off the engine immediately. Check the
oil level and add oil if needed. Refer toEngine oilin theMaintenance
and Carechapter.
ABS
Instrumentation
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Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position, the engine is off and the
parking brake is engaged. If the
brake warning lamp does not
illuminate at this time, seek service immediately. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately.
O/D off
Illuminates when the ignition is
turned to the ON position and
transmission control switch has
been pushed. When the light is on,
the transmission does not shift into
overdrive. If the light does not come on when the transmission control
switch is depressed or if the light flashes when you are driving, have
your vehicle serviced.
Check engine
Your vehicle is equipped with a
computer that monitors the engine's
emission control system. This
system is commonly known as the
On Board Diagnostics System (OBD II). This OBD II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle.
TheCheck Engineindicator light illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check the bulb. If it comes on after the
engine is started, one of the engine's emission control systems may be
malfunctioning. The light may illuminate without a driveability concern
being noted. The vehicle will usually be drivable and will not require
towing.
!
BRAKE
O/D
OFF
Instrumentation
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What you should do if the check engine light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck Enginelight to
illuminate. Examples are:
1. The vehicle has run out of fuel. (The engine may misfire or run
poorly.)
2. Poor fuel quality or water in the fuel.
3. The fuel cap may not have been properly installed and securely
tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly installing and securely tightening
the gas cap. After three driving cycles without these or any other
temporary malfunctions present, theCheck Enginelight should turn off.
(A driving cycle consists of a cold engine startup followed by mixed
city/highway driving.) No additional vehicle service is required.
If theCheck Enginelight remains on, have your vehicle serviced at the
first available opportunity.
Light is blinking:
Engine misfire is occurring which could damage your catalytic converter.
You should drive in a moderate fashion (avoid heavy acceleration and
deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced at the first available
opportunity.
Under engine misfire conditions, excessive exhaust temperatures
could damage the catalytic converter, the fuel system, interior
floor coverings or other vehicle components, possibly causing a fire.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON or START position and any
door is open.
Instrumentation
10

DRIVER'S DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver's door is not
completely closed.
PASSENGER DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side door is
not completely closed.
DRIVER'S REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the driver's rear door
is not completely closed.
PASSENGER REAR DOOR AJAR.Displayed when the passenger side
rear door is not completely closed.
LIFTGATE AJAR.Displayed when the liftgate is not completely closed.
CHECK CHARGING SYSTEM.Displayed when the electrical system is
not maintaining proper voltage. If you are operating electrical accessories
when the engine is idling at a low speed, turn off as many of the
electrical loads as soon as possible. If the warning stays on or comes on
when the engine is operating at normal speeds, have the electrical
system checked as soon as possible.
LOW FUEL LEVEL.Displayed when you have approximately 1/16th of
a tank indicated on the fuel gauge.
CHECK TRANSMISSION.Indicates the transmission is not operating
properly. If this warning stays on, contact your dealer as soon as
possible.
TRANSMISSION OVERHEATED.Indicates the transmission is
overheating. This warning may appear when towing heavy loads or when
driving in a low gear at a high speed for an extended period of time.
Stop the vehicle as soon as safely possible, turn off the engine and let it
cool. Check the transmission fluid and level. Refer toTransmission
fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter. If the warning stays on or
continues to come on, contact your dealer for transmission service as
soon as possible.
CHECK BRAKE LAMPS.Displayed when the brake lamps are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. The center
high-mount brakelamp is not monitored.
CHECK HEADLAMPS.Displayed when the headlamps are activated
and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely
possible and have the burned out lamp replaced. Refer toReplacing
headlamp bulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter.
Instrumentation
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CHECK TAIL LAMPS.Displayed when the tail lamps are activated and
at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as safely possible
and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK FRT TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK REAR TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK REAR TURN LAMPS.Displayed when the turn signals are
activated and at least one is burned out. Check the lamps as soon as
safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
CHECK SIDE REPEATER LAMPS (if equipped).Displayed when
the turn signals are activated and at least one is burned out. Check the
lamps as soon as safely possible and have the burned out lamp replaced.
TURN SIGNAL ON REMINDER.Displayed when the turn signal is
activated and the vehicle is driven more that 0.8 km (1/2 mile).
LOW WASHER FLUID.Indicates the washer fluid reservoir is less than
one quarter full. Check the washer fluid level. Refer toWindshield
washer fluidin theMaintenance and carechapter.
CHECK TRACTION CONTROL (if equipped).Displayed when the
Traction Controlysystem is not operating properly. If this warning stays
on, contact your dealer for service as soon as possible. For further
information, refer toTraction controlyin theDrivingchapter.
CHANGE OIL SOON/OIL CHANGE REQUIRED.Displayed when the
engine oil life remaining is 5 percent or less. When oil life left is between
5% and 0%, the CHANGE OIL SOON message will be displayed. When oil
life left reaches 0%, the OIL CHANGE REQUIRED message will be
displayed.
An oil change is required whenever indicated by the message center.
USE ONLY RECOMMENDED ENGINE OILS.
To reset the oil monitoring system to 100% approximately 8 000 km
(5 000 miles or 180 days) (or your personalized oil reset percentage)
after each oil change:
Press RESET and SETUP controls at the same time to activate a service
mode which will display OIL LIFE % HOLD RESET NEW.
Instrumentation
19

9. Slowly drive the vehicle in a
circle (less than 5 km/h [3 mph])
until the CIRCLE SLOWLY TO
CALIBRATE indicator changes to
CALIBRATION COMPLETED. This
will take up to three circles to complete calibration.
10. The compass is now calibrated.
FUEL ECON AVG
Select this function from the INFO
menu to display your average fuel
economy in liters/100 km or
miles/gallon.
If you calculate your average fuel
economy by dividing liters of fuel used by 100 kilometers traveled (miles
traveled by gallons used), your figure may be different than displayed for
the following reasons:
²your vehicle was not perfectly level during fill-up
²differences in the automatic shut-off points on the fuel pumps at
service stations
²variations in top-off procedure from one fill-up to another
²rounding of the displayed values to the nearest 0.1 liter (gallon)
1. Drive the vehicle at least 8 km (5 miles) with the speed control
system engaged to display a stabilized average.
2. Record the highway fuel economy for future reference.
It is important to press the RESET control after setting the speed
control to get accurate highway fuel economy readings.
DIST TO EMPTY (DTE)
Selecting this function from the
INFO menu will give you an
estimate of how far you can drive
with the fuel remaining in your tank
under normal driving conditions.
Remember to turn the ignition OFF when refueling your vehicle.
Otherwise, the display will not show the addition of fuel for a few
kilometers (miles).
Instrumentation
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(24 miles). This range can be affected by ªsignal modulation.º Signal
modulation is a process radio stations use to increase their
strength/volume relative to other stations.
²Terrain.Hills, mountains and tall buildings between your vehicle's
antenna and the radio station signal can cause FM reception problems.
Static can be caused on AM stations by power lines, electric fences,
traffic lights and thunderstorms. Moving away from an interfering
structure (out of its ªshadowº) returns your reception to normal.
²Station overload.Weak signals are sometimes captured by stronger
signals when you pass a broadcast tower. A stronger signal may
temporarily overtake a weaker signal and play while the weak station
frequency is displayed.
The audio system automatically switches to single channel reception if it
will improve the reception of a station normally received in stereo.
Audio system warranties and service
Refer to the ªWarranty Guideº for audio system warranty information.
If service is necessary, see your dealer or a qualified technician.
REVERSE SENSING SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The reverse sensing system (RSS) sounds a tone to warn the driver of
obstacles near the rear bumper when the reverse gear is selected.
To help avoid personal injury, please read and understand the
limitations on the reverse sensing system described below.
Reverse sensing is only an assist for some (generally large and fixed)
objects when moving in reverse on a flat surface at ªparking speedsº of
approximately 6 km/h (4 mph) or less. It is the drivers responsibility
for ensuring that their path is clear when operating the vehicle.
To help avoid personal injury, always use caution when in
reverse and when using the reverse sensing system.
Controls and features
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