2001 FORD WINDSTAR service

Radio reception factors
Three factors can affect radio reception:
²Distance/strength.The further an FM signal travels, the weaker it is.
The listenable range of the average FM station is approximately 40 km
(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.
LOW TIRE WARNING (IF EQUIPPED)
Refer to theTiresection of the
Maintenance and Carechapter for
more information.
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.
Tire
Reset
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Safety/Obstructions
If anything obstructs the Power Sliding Door while it is closing, the door
will automatically reverse to the open position, provided it meets
sufficient resistance.
Resetting the PSD
The power sliding door may operate incorrectly or not at all because of
the following condition:
²a low voltage or dead battery
²disconnecting the battery
²if the PSD fuse (fuse #6 ) is removed or blown. Refer toFuses and
relaysin theRoadside emergencieschapter.
If any of these conditions occur, reset the PSD by:
1. Check to see if power sliding door is unlocked and securely closed.
2. Make sure the gearshift is in (P) Park.
3.
Push the power door control on the overhead console to open the door.
4. Wait five (5) seconds and close the door by pressing the power door
control on the overhead console.
5. Wait five (5) seconds and repeat Steps 3 and 4 and go on to step 6.
6. Repeat steps 3±5 for opposite door.
If the door does not rest in the fully open position, repeat Steps 1±4
again. If the door still does not operate correctly:
7. Turn the ignition switch to OFF.
8. Remove the PSD fuse (fuse #6) from the passenger fuse panel and
leave it out for thirty (30) seconds. Refer toFuses and relaysin the
Roadside emergencieschapter.
9. Reinstall the fuse and wait ten (10) seconds.
10. Repeat steps 1±6 above.
If the door still does not operate correctly, see your dealer for service.
Sliding Door Child Safety Lock
Your vehicle is equipped with a sliding door child safety lock that helps
prevent passengers from operating the sliding door by using the inside
door handle. This lock is on both doors if equipped. The child safety lock
lever is located in the inside of the sliding door, on the front edge of the
door. Lift the control up to engage the child lock.
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100

Automatic disarming
Switching the ignition to the 4 (ON) position with acoded keydisarms
the vehicle. The
THEFTlight will illuminate for three seconds and then
go out. If the
THEFTlight stays on for an extended period of time or
flashes rapidly, have the system serviced by your dealership or a
qualified technician.
Key information
Your vehicle is supplied withtwo
coded keys.Only acoded keywill
start your vehicle. Spare coded keys
can be purchased from your
dealership. Your dealership can
program your key or you can ªdo it
yourselfº, refer toProgramming
spare keys.
The SecuriLockypassive anti-theft
system is not compatible with
non-Ford (aftermarket) remote start
systems. Use of these systems may
result in vehicle starting problems
and a loss of security protection.
Large metallic objects, electronic
devices on the key chain that can be
used to purchase gasoline or similar
items, or a second key on the same
key ring as thecoded keyignition
key may cause vehicle starting
issues. If present, you need to keep
these objects from touching the
coded keyignition key while
starting the engine. These objects
and devices cannot damage the
coded keyignition key, but can cause a momentary issue if they are too
close to the key during engine start. If a problem occurs, turn ignition
OFF and restart the engine with all other objects on the key ring held
away from the ignition key. Check to make sure thecoded keyignition
key is an approved Fordcoded keyignition key.
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114

Determining if the Personal Safety System is operational
The Personal Safety System uses a warning light in the instrument
cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the system. Refer
to theRestraints Warning Lightsection in theInstrumentation
chapter. Routine maintenance of the Personal Safety System is not
required.
The Restraints Control Module (RCM) monitors its own internal circuits
and the circuits for the air bag supplemental restraints, crash sensor(s),
safety belt pretensioners, front safety belt buckle sensors, driver seat
position sensor, and passenger occupant classification sensor (if
equipped). In addition, the RCM also monitors the restraints warning
light in the instrument cluster. A difficulty with the system is indicated
by one or more of the following.
²The warning light will either flash or stay lit.
²The warning light will not illuminate immediately after ignition is
turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and warning light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the Personal
Safety System serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
Safety belt precautions
Always drive and ride with your seatback upright and the lap
belt snug and low across the hips.
To reduce the risk of injury, make sure children sit where they
can be properly restrained.
Never let a passenger hold a child on his or her lap while the
vehicle is moving. The passenger cannot protect the child from
injury in a collision.
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Do not put anything on or over the air bag module. Placing
objects on or over the air bag inflation area may cause those
objects to be propelled by the air bag into your face and torso causing
serious injury.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the Air Bag
Supplemental Restraint System or its fuses. See your Ford or
Lincoln Mercury dealer.
Modifications to the front end of the vehicle, including frame,
bumper, front end body structure and tow hooks may effect the
performance of the air bag sensors increasing the risk of injury. Do not
modify the front end of the vehicle.
Children and air bags
For additional important safety
information, read all information on
safety restraints in this guide.
Children must always be properly
restrained. Accident statistics
suggest that children are safer when
properly restrained in the rear
seating positions than in the front
seating position. Failure to follow
these instructions may increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
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.
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146

Determining if the system is operational
The supplemental restraint system uses a warning indicator in the
instrument cluster or a back-up tone to indicate the condition of the
system. Refer to theRestraints Warning Indicatorsection in the
Instrumentationchapter. Routine maintenance of the air bag is not
required.
A difficulty with the system is indicated by one or more of the following:
²The readiness light (same light
for front and side air bag system)
will either flash or stay lit.
²The readiness light will not
illuminate immediately after ignition is turned on.
²A series of five beeps will be heard. The tone pattern will repeat
periodically until the problem and/or light are repaired.
If any of these things happen, even intermittently, have the supplemental
restraint system serviced at your dealership or by a qualified technician
immediately. Unless serviced, the system may not function properly in
the event of a collision.
How does the air bag supplemental restraint system work?
The air bag SRS is designed to
activate when the vehicle sustains
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. Front air bags are designed to inflate in frontal and
near-frontal collisions, not rollover, side-impact, or rear-impacts unless
the collision causes sufficient longitudinal deceleration.
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147

²a readiness light and tone.
²diagnostic module.
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.
Side air bag system (if equipped)
Do not place objects or mount equipment on or near the air bag
cover on the side of the seatbacks of the front seats or in front
seat areas that may come into contact with a deploying air bag. Failure
to follow these instructions may increase the risk of personal injury in
the event of a collision.
Do not use accessory seat covers. The use of accessory seat
covers may prevent the deployment of the side air bags and
increase the risk of injury in an accident.
Do not lean your head on the door. The side air bag could injure
you as it deploys from the side of the seatback.
Do not attempt to service, repair, or modify the air bag
Supplemental Restraint System, its fuses or the seat cover on a
seat containing an air bag. See your Ford or Lincoln Mercury dealer.
All occupants of the vehicle including the driver should always
wear their safety belts even when an air bag SRS is provided.
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149

Several air bag system
components get hot after
inflation. Do not touch them after
inflation.
If the side air bag has
deployed,the air bag will
not function again. The side
air bag system (including the
seat) must be inspected and
serviced by a qualified
technician in accordance with
the vehicle service manual.If
the air bag is not replaced, the
unrepaired area will increase the
risk of injury in a collision.
Disposal of air bags and air bag equipped vehicles (including
pretensioners)
For disposal of air bags or air bag equipped vehicles, see your local
dealership or qualified technician. Air bags MUST BE disposed of by
qualified personnel.
SAFETY RESTRAINTS FOR CHILDREN
See the following sections for directions on how to properly use safety
restraints for children. Also seeAir Bag Supplemental Restraint
System (SRS)in this chapter for special instructions about using air
bags.
Important child restraint precautions
You are required by law to use safety restraints for children in the U.S.
and Canada. If small children ride in your vehicle (generally children who
are four years old or younger and who weigh 18 kg [40 lbs] or less), you
must put them in safety seats made especially for children. Check your
local and state or provincial laws for specific requirements regarding the
safety of children in your vehicle.
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