1999 LINCOLN CONTINENTAL sensor

Also illuminates when the parking brake is engaged. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately.
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, continues to flash 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.
Turn signal
Illuminates when the left or right
turn signal or the hazard lights are
turned on. If one or both of the
indicators stay on continuously or
flash faster, check for a burned-out
turn signal bulb. Refer toExterior bulbsin theMaintenance and care
chapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Turn on headlamps (if equipped)
Illuminates to remind the driver to
turn the headlamps on when:
²the daytime running lamps are on
²the autolamps are off
²the autolamp sensor determines it
is nighttime
ABS
TURN ON
HEAD
LAMPS
Instrumentation
8

Air bags can kill or injure a child in a child seat.NEVERplace a
rear-facing child seat in front of an active air bag. If you must
use a forward-facing child seat in the front seat, move the seat all the
way back.
How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work?
The air bag SRS is designed to
activate when the vehicle sustains
sufficient longitudinal deceleration
sufficient to cause the sensors to
close an electrical circuit that
initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not
inflate in a collision does not mean
that something is wrong with the
system. Rather, it means the forces
were not of the type sufficient to
cause activation. Air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and
near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts.
The air bags inflate and deflate
rapidly upon activation. After air bag
deployment, it is normal to notice a
smoke-like, powdery residue or
smell the burnt propellant. This may
consist of cornstarch, talcum
powder (to lubricate the bag) or
sodium compounds (e.g., baking
soda) that result from the
combustion process that inflates the
air bag. Small amounts of sodium
hydroxide may be present which
may irritate the skin and eyes, but
none of the residue is toxic.
Seating and safety restraints
103

While the system is designed to help reduce serious injuries, it may also
cause minor burns, abrasions, swelling or temporary hearing loss.
Because air bags must inflate rapidly and with considerable force, there
is the risk of death or serious injuries such as fractures, facial and eye
injuries or internal injuries, particularly to occupants who are not
properly restrained or are otherwise out of position at the time of air bag
deployment. Thus, it is extremely important that occupants be properly
restrained as far away from the air bag module as possible while
maintaining vehicle control.
Several air bag system components get hot after inflation. Do not
touch them after inflation.
If the air bag is deployed,the air bag will not function again
and must be replaced immediately.If the air bag is not
replaced, the unrepaired area will increase the risk of injury in a
collision.
The SRS consists of:
²driver and passenger air bag modules (which include the inflators and
air bags),
²one or more impact and safing sensors,
²a readiness light and tone
²and the electrical wiring which connects the components.
The diagnostic module monitors its own internal circuits and the
supplemental air bag electrical system warning (including the impact
sensors), the system wiring, the air bag system readiness light, the air
bag back up power and the air bag ignitors.
Seating and safety restraints
104

How does the side air bag system work?
The side air bag system consists of
the following:
²An inflatable nylon bag (air bag)
with a gas generator concealed
behind the outboard bolster of
the driver and front passenger
seatbacks.
²A special seat cover designed to
allow airbag deployment.
²The same warning light,
electronic control and diagnostic
unit as used for the front air
bags.
²Two crash sensors located under
the outboard side of the front
seats, attached to the floor.
Side air bags, in combination with
seat belts, can help reduce the risk
of severe injuries in the event of a
significant side impact collision.
The side air bags are fitted on the outboard side of the seatbacks of the
front seats. In certain lateral collisions, the air bag on the side affected
by the collision will be inflated, even if the respective seat is not
occupied. The air bag was designed to inflate between the door panel
and occupant to further enhance the protection provided occupants in
side impact collisions.
The air bag SRS is designed to activate when the vehicle sustains
sufficient lateral deceleration sufficient to cause the sensors to close an
electrical circuit that initiates air bag inflation.
The fact that the air bags did not inflate in a collision does not mean that
something is wrong with the system. Rather, it means the forces were
not of the type sufficient to cause activation. Side air bags are designed
to inflate in side-impact collisions, not roll-over, rear-impact, frontal or
near-frontal collisions, unless the collision causes sufficient lateral
deceleration.
Seating and safety restraints
106

Wheel-speed sensors allow excess front wheel spin to be detected by the
Traction Controlyportion of the ABS computer. Any excessive wheel
spin is controlled by automatically applying and releasing the front
brakes in conjunction with engine torque reductions. Engine torque
reduction is realized via the fully electronic spark and fuel injection
systems. This process is very sensitive to driving conditions and very fast
acting. The front wheels ªsearchº for optimum traction several times a
second and adjustments are made accordingly.
The Traction Controlysystem will allow your vehicle to make better use
of available traction on slippery surfaces. The system is a driver aid
which makes your vehicle easier to handle primarily on snow and ice
covered roads.
During Traction Controlyoperation, TRACTION CONTROL ACTIVE is
displayed on the message center. You may hear an electric motor type of
sound coming from the engine compartment and the engine will not
ªrev-upº when you push further on the accelerator. This is normal
system behavior.
If you should become stuck in snow or on a very slippery road surface,
try switching the Traction Controlysystem off. This may allow excess
wheel spin to ªdigº the vehicle out or enable a successful ªrockingº
maneuver. Refer toMessage centerin theInstrumentationchapter.
If the Traction Controlysystem is cycled excessively, the brake portion
of the system will shut down to prevent the front brakes from
overheating. A limited Traction Controlyfunction using only engine
torque reduction will still control wheels from over-spinning. When the
front brakes have cooled down, the system will again function normally.
Anti-lock braking is not affected by this condition and will function
normally during the cool down period.
If a system fault is detected, CHECK TRACTION CONTROL is displayed
on the message center and your vehicle should be serviced.
STEERING
Your vehicle is equipped with power steering. Power steering uses energy
from the engine to help steer the vehicle.
To prevent damage to the power steering pump:
²Never hold the steering wheel to the extreme right or the extreme left
for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
²Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level.
Driving
123

The fuses are coded as follows:
Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
1 5A Lighting Control Module: Anti-Theft Indicator
Lamp, PWM Dimming Output, Illumination
Lamps for Microphone, RR and LR Door
Ashtrays, Heated Seat Switches, Rear Defrost
Control Switch, EATC Control Panel, Message
Center Switches, Speed Control Switches,
Cigar Lighter, Console and Ashtray
2 10A Data Link Connector (DLC), Powertrain
Control Module (PCM)
3 15A Multi-Function Switch, Cornering Lamps,
High Beam and Turn Signal Input to LCM
4 10A Power Door Locks and Power Windows
Switch Backlights, Radio, Mobile Telephone
Transceiver, Lighting Control Module,
(RUN/ACC Sense), Electronic Day/Night
Mirror
5 10A Virtual Image Instrument Cluster, Lighting
Control Module (LCM RUN/START Sense),
Autolamp Light Sensor
6 10A Virtual Image Instrument Cluster, RF
Park/Turn Lamp
7 20A Power Point
8 20A Fuel Filler Door Release Switch, Trunk Lid
Relay
9 10A Air Bag Diagnostic Monitor, EATC Module,
Blower Motor Relay
10 30A Windshield Wiper Motor, Windshield Wiper
Module
11 10A Ignition Coils, Radio Interference Capacitor,
PCM Power Relay, Passive Anti-Theft System
(PATS) Transceiver
Roadside emergencies
138

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
12 10A Lighting Control Module
13 15A Lighting Control Module (LCM): RF Turn
Lamp, Right Turn Indicator (VIC), RR Side
Marker Lamps, Tail Lamps, License Lamps,
LR Stop/Turn Lamps, Clock Illumination
14 20A Cigar Lighter
15 10A ABS Evac and Fill Connector
16 30A Moonroof Switch
17 Ð Not Used
18 10A Lighting Control Module
19 10A Lighting Control Module (LCM): Left
Headlamp, DRL
20 15A Multi-Function Switch: Flash to Pass, and
Hazard Warning Input to LCM
21 Ð Not Used
22 ÐÐ Not Used
23 10A Digital Transmission Range Sensor
24 10A Virtual Image Cluster-LF Turn Indicator, LF
Turn Signal
25 10A Lighting Control Module (LCM): Right
Headlamp
26 10A Virtual Image Instrument Cluster, EATC
Module
27 Ð Not Used
28 10A Shift Lock Actuator, Vehicle Dynamic Module,
Virtual Image Instrument Cluster, Rear
Window Defrost, Heated Seat Switch
Assembly, Low Tire Pressure Module, RESCU
29 10A Radio
30 10A Heated Mirrors
Roadside emergencies
139

Fuse/Relay
LocationFuse Amp
RatingDescription
31 15A Lighting Control Module (LCM): FCU,
Electronic Day/Night Mirror, RH and LH
Courtesy Lamp, Door Courtesy Lamps, RH
and LH Map Lamps, RR and LR Reading
Lamps, RH and LH Visor Lamps, Storage Bin
Lamps, Trunk Lid Lamp, Glove Box Lamp,
Light Sensor Amplifier
32 15A Speed Control DEAC. Switch, Brake On/Off
(BOO) Switch
33 Ð Not Used
34 15A Console Shift Illumination, A/C Clutch
Cycling Pressure Switch, A/C Clutch Relay
(DTR) Sensor, Intake Manifold Runner
Control, Backup Lamps
35 Ð Not Used
36 Ð Not Used
37 30A Subwoofer Amplifier, Radio
38 10A Analog Clock, CD Player, Mobile Telephone
Transceiver, RESCU
39 10A Power Door Locks, Power Seats, Power
Mirrors, Keyless Entry, LF Seat Module, LF
Door Module
40 10A Cornering Lamps
41 20A Door Locks
Power distribution box
The power distribution box is located in the engine compartment. The
power distribution box contains high-current fuses that protect your
vehicle's main electrical systems from overloads.
Always disconnect the battery before servicing high current
fuses.
Roadside emergencies
140