2000 FORD TAURUS ECU

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 high quality fuel of the recommended octane and/or properly
installing and securely tightening the gas cap. After three driving cycles
without these or any other temporary malfunctions present, the
light 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 the
light 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.
Low fuel
Illuminates as an early reminder of a
low fuel condition indicated on the
fuel gauge (refer toFuel gaugein
this chapter for more information).
When refueling, after the light
comes on, the amount of fuel that is added will be less than the
advertised capacity since there is fuel still in the tank. 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 to ensure your bulb is working.
Low coolant (if equipped)
This lamp will illuminate when the
engine coolant inside the reservoir is
low. This lamp will come on when
the ignition is first turned on, but
then should turn off. If the lamp
LOW
COOLANT
Instrumentation
10

stays on, you should check the coolant level inside the reservoir. For
instructions on adding coolant, seeEngine coolantin theMaintenance
and carechapter.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toPerimeter alarm system
(if equipped)andSecuriLocky
passive anti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
Anti-lock brake system (ABS) (If equipped)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the light does not
illuminate momentarily at start up,
remains on or continues to flash, the
ABS needs to be serviced. 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 the parking brake released.
Check transaxle
Illumination of this light indicates
that a problem has been detected
and shifting may be restricted. If
this lamp remains on, have your
vehicle serviced immediately.
Speed control (if equipped)
This light comes on when either the
SET/ACCEL or RESUME controls
are pressed. It turns off when the
speed control OFF control is pressed, the brake is applied or the ignition
is turned to the OFF position.
THEFT
ABS
CRUISE
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11

5. Line up the CD with the groove
of the disc holder. Ensure that the
label on the CD faces downwards.
6. Press in on the disc holder until it
locks securely into the magazine. If
the disc holders are not fully locked
into the magazine, the unit will not
operate.
Ensure that the disc holder is
evenly inserted and at the same
level as the magazine (A). The unit
will not operate if the disc holder is
not inserted at the same level (B).
Radio power must be turned on to play the CDs in the changer. The
magazine may be stored in the glove box when not being used.
The CD magazine may be inserted or ejected with the radio power off.
ONLY use the magazine supplied with the CD changer, other types will
damage the unit.
Keep the CD changer door closed. Coins and foreign objects will damage
the CD player and void your audio system warranty.
Do not insert any promotional (odd shaped or sized) discs, or
discs with removable labels into the CD changer as that jamming
may occur.
Troubleshooting the CD changer (if equipped)
The laser beam used in the compact disc player is harmful to the
eyes. Do not attempt to disassemble the case.
If sound skips:
²You may be traveling on a rough road, playing badly scratched discs or
the disc may be dirty. Skipping will not scratch the discs or damage
the player.
A
B
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40

CARGO AREA FEATURES
Storage compartment
Your vehicle comes equipped with a
storage compartment in the floor of
the cargo area. An additional
compartment is in the rear trim
panel on the right. Always put the
load you are carrying as far forward
as possible.
Cargo net (if equipped) (Wagon)
The cargo net secures lightweight
objects in the cargo area. Attach the
net to the anchors provided. Do not
put more than 22 kg (50 lbs.) in the
net. This net is not designed to
restrain objects during a collision.
Cargo cover (if equipped)
Your vehicle may be equipped with a cargo area shade that covers the
luggage compartment of your vehicle.
To install the shade:
1. Fasten the cover into the
mounting brackets (make sure the
cover is right side up).
2. Pull the end of the shade toward
you and hook the sides into the
notches (right side first) in the rear
trim panels.
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58

7. Insert the shade into the side mounting brackets and check to make
sure that it operates properly.
The cover may cause injury in a sudden stop or accident if it is
not securely installed.
Cargo utility hooks (Sedan)
The utility hooks located in side the trunk can be used to hang small
items on. Do not hang more than 12 kg (20 lbs) on the hooks. The hooks
are not designed to restrain objects during a collision.
REMOTE ENTRY SYSTEM (IF EQUIPPED)
The remote entry system allows you to lock or unlock all vehicle doors,
trunk and liftgate without a key.
The remote entry features only operate with the vehicle in P (Park) or N
(Neutral) and the ignition in the, ACC, OFF or ON positions.
If there is any potential remote keyless entry problem with your vehicle,
ensureALL key fobs(remote entry transmitters) are brought to the
dealership, to aid in troubleshooting.
Unlocking the doors/liftgate
Press this control to unlock the
driver's door. The interior lamps will
illuminate with the ignition OFF.
Press the control a second time
within three seconds to unlock all
doors and liftgate (wagons).
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60

Deactivating/activating horn chirp
There are 2 methods to enable/disable this feature. One through your
dealer and the second with a door lock sequence using the following
instructions:
1. Turn the ignition key to RUN, then press the door UNLOCK control
button 3 times.
2. Turn the ignition key to OFF, then press the door UNLOCK control
button 3 times.
3. Turn the ignition key to RUN, within five seconds press the door
UNLOCK control button 2 times.
The user should receive twohorn chirpsto indicate the system had
been altered.
Pressing the power door UNLOCK control button two times again will
toggle the Autolock/Relock states.
²Turn ignition to OFF to exit.
SECURILOCKYPASSIVE ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM
The SecuriLockypassive anti-theft system provides an advanced level of
vehicle theft protection. Your vehicle's engine can only be started with
the two special SecuriLockyelectronically coded keys provided with
your vehicle. Each time you start your vehicle, the SecuriLockykey is
read by the SecuriLockypassive anti-theft system. If the SecuriLocky
key identification code matches the code stored in the SecuriLocky
anti-theft system, the vehicle's engine is allowed to start. If the
SecuriLockykey identification code does not match the code stored in
the system or if a SecuriLockykey is not detected (vehicle theft
situation), the vehicle's engine will not operate.
If there is any potential SecuriLockyanti-theft problem with your
vehicle, ensureALL SecuriLockykeysfor that vehicle are brought to
the dealership, to aid in troubleshooting.
The SecuriLockypassive anti-theft system is not compatible with
aftermarket remote start systems. Use of these systems may result in
vehicle starting problems and a loss of security protection. Large metallic
objects, a second key or electronic devices used to purchase gasoline or
similar items on the same key ring as the PATS ignition key may cause
vehicle starting problems. If present, you need to keep these objects
from touching the PATS ignition key while starting the engine. These
objects cannot damage the PATS ignition key, but can cause a
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70

momentary problem if they are too close to the key during engine start.
If a problem occurs, turn the ignition OFF and restart the engine with all
other objects on the key ring held away from the ignition key. Check to
make sure the encoded ignition key is an approved Ford encoded
ignition key.
Spare SecuriLockykeys can be purchased from your dealership and
programmed to your SecuriLockypassive anti-theft system. Refer to
Programming spare SecuriLockykeysfor more information.
If one or both of your SecuriLockykeys are lost or stolen and you want
to ensure the lost or stolen key will not operate your vehicle, bring your
vehicle and all available SecuriLockykeys to your dealership for
reinitialization.
Theft indicator
The theft indicator on the instrument cluster will operate as follows:
²When the ignition is OFF, the theft indicator will flash briefly every
two seconds to indicate the SecuriLockysystem is protecting your
vehicle.
²When the ignition is turned to ON or START, the theft indicator will
light for three seconds and then go out. If the theft indicator stays on
for an extended period of time or flashes rapidly, have the system
serviced by your dealership or a qualified technician.
Procedure to program spare SecuriLockYkeys to your vehicle
New SecuriLockykeys must have the correct mechanical key cut for
your vehicle.
Conventional (non-SecuriLocky) keyscannotbe programmed to your
vehicle.
The correct type of SecuriLockykey for your vehicle is identifiable by
the vehicle logo being on onlyone sideif the key. If the vehicle logo is
on both sides, it is not the right key for your vehicle.
You will need to have two previously programmed SecuriLockykeys and
the new unprogrammed SecuriLockykey readily accessible for the
procedure. Please read and understand the entire procedure before you
begin.
1. Insert the first previously programmed SecuriLockykey into the
ignition and turn the ignition from OFF to ON (maintain ignition in ON
for at least one second).
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71

2. Turn ignition to OFF and remove the first SecuriLockykey from the
ignition.
3. Within five seconds of turning the ignition to OFF, insert the second
previously programmed SecuriLockykey into the ignition and turn the
ignition from OFF to ON (maintain ignition in ON for at least one second
but no more than five seconds).
4. Turn the ignition to OFF and remove the second SecuriLockykey
from the ignition.
5. Within 10 seconds of turning the ignition to OFF, insert the
unprogrammed SecuriLockykey (new key/valet key) into the ignition
and turn the ignition from OFF to ON (maintain ignition in ON for at
least one second). This step will program your new SecuriLockykey.
6. To program additional SecuriLockykey(s), repeat this procedure from
step 1.
If the programming procedure was successful, the new SecuriLocky
key(s) will start the vehicle's engine. The theft indicator (located on the
instrument cluster) will light for three seconds and then go out.
If the programming procedure was not successful, the new SecuriLocky
key(s) will not operate the vehicle's engine. The theft indicator will flash
on and off. Wait at least one minute and then repeat the procedure from
step 1. If failure repeats, bring your vehicle to your dealership to have
the spare SecuriLockykey(s) programmed.
INTERIOR LUGGAGE COMPARTMENT RELEASE (IF EQUIPPED)
Your vehicle is equipped with a mechanical interior luggage compartment
release handle that provides a means of escape for children and adults in
the event they become locked inside the luggage compartment.
Adults are advised to familiarize themselves with the operation and
location of the release handle.
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72