2002 FORD EXPLORER Owners Manual

TheService Engine Soonindicator 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.
What you should do if the Service Engine Soon light illuminates
Light turns on solid:
This means that the OBD II system has detected a malfunction.
Temporary malfunctions may cause yourService Engine Soonlight 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 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, theService
Engine Soonlight 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 theService Engine Soonlight 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.
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Check fuel cap
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to ensure your bulb is working.
When this light turns on, check the
fuel filler cap. Continuing to operate
the vehicle with the check fuel cap light on, can activate theService
Engine Soon/Check Enginewarning light. When the fuel filler cap is
properly re-installed, the light(s) will turn off after a period of normal
driving. This period will vary depending on driving conditions.
It may take a long period of time for the system to detect an
improperly installed fuel filler cap.
For more information, refer toFuel filler capin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
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.
Safety belt
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to remind you to fasten your safety
belts. For more information, refer to
theSeating and safety restraints
chapter.
Brake system warning
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to indicate a system check. Also
illuminates if the parking brake is
engaged. If the brake warning lamp
does not illuminate at these times, seek service immediately. Illumination
after releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the
brake system should be inspected immediately.
CHECK
FUEL
CAP
!
BRAKE
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10

Anti-lock brake system (ABS)
Momentarily illuminates when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
to indicate a system check. 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 the 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 toBulbsin theMaintenance and carechapter.
High beams
Illuminates when the high beam
headlamps are turned on.
Anti-theft system (if equipped)
Refer toPerimeter alarm system
(if equipped)andSecuriLocky
passive anti-theft systemin the
Controls and featureschapter.
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.
ABS
THEFT
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Four wheel drive low (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates after the
engine is started. Illuminates when
four-wheel drive low is engaged. If
the light continues to flash have the system serviced.
Four wheel drive high (if equipped)
Momentarily illuminates after the
engine is STARTED. Illuminates
when four-wheel drive high is
engaged. If the light continues to
flash have the system serviced.
Door ajar
Illuminates when the ignition is in
the ON position and any door is
open. It may also momentarily
illuminate after the engine is started
and all doors are closed.
O/D off (if equipped)
Illuminates when the Transmission
Control Switch (TCS), refer to
Overdrive controlin theControls
and Featureschapter, has been
pushed turning the transmission overdrive function OFF. When the light
is on, the transmission does not operate in the overdrive mode, refer to
theDrivingchapter for transmission function and operation.
The light may also flash steadily if a transmission malfunction is
detected. If the light does not come on when the Transmission Control
Switch is depressed or if the light flashes steadily, have your vehicle
serviced as soon as possible, damage to the transmission could occur.
Speed control
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 or clutch (if
equipped) is applied or the ignition is turned to the OFF position.
4x4
LOW
4x4
HIGH
DOOR
AJAR
O/D
OFF
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12

Safety belt warning chime
Sounds to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt warning chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Belt minder chime
Sounds intermittently to remind you to fasten your safety belts.
For information on the safety belt minder chime, refer to theSeating
and safety restraintschapter.
Supplemental restraint system (SRS) warning chime
For information on the SRS warning chime, refer to theSeating and
safety restraintschapter.
Key-in-ignition warning chime
Sounds when the key is left in the ignition in the OFF/LOCK or ACC
position and the driver's door is opened.
Headlamps on warning chime
Sounds when the headlamps or parking lamps are on, the ignition is off
(and the key is not in the ignition) and the driver's door is opened.
GAUGES
Standard instrument cluster gauges
O/D
OFF
DOOR
AJARCHECK
GAGE
4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
CHECK
FUEL
CAPTHEFT
BRAKE
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
TRIP
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Optional instrument cluster gauges
Speedometer
Indicates the current vehicle speed.
Engine coolant temperature gauge
Indicates the temperature of the
engine coolant. At normal operating
temperature, the needle remains
within the normal area (the area
between the ªHº and ªCº). If it
enters the red section, the engine is
overheating. Stop the vehicle as
soon as safely possible, switch off
the engine immediately and let the
engine cool. Refer toEngine
coolantin theMaintenance and
carechapter.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
O/D
OFF
4X4
LOW
4X4
HIGH
CHECK
FUEL
CAPTHEFT
BRAKE
SERVICE
ENGINE
SOON
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14

This gauge indicates the temperature of the engine coolant, not the
coolant level. If the coolant is not at its proper level the gauge indication
will not be accurate.
Odometer
Registers the total kilometers (miles) of the vehicle.
²Standard instrument cluster
²Optional instrument cluster
Refer toElectronic Message Centerfor information on how to switch
the display from metric to English measurements.
Trip odometer
Registers the kilometers (miles) of individual journeys.
²Standard instrument cluster
Press and release the select/reset
button to toggle between the
odometer and trip odometer display.
Press and hold the button to reset.
²Optional instrument cluster
Press and release the trip/reset
button to toggle between the
odometer and trip odometer display.
Press and hold the button to reset.
TRIP
TRIP
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15

Tachometer
Indicates the engine speed in
revolutions per minute.
Driving with your tachometer
pointer in the red zone may damage
the engine.
Battery voltage gauge
This shows the battery voltage when
the ignition is in the ON position. If
the pointer moves and stays outside
the normal operating range (as
indicated by arrows), have the
vehicle's electrical system checked
as soon as possible.
Engine oil pressure gauge
This shows the engine oil pressure
in the system. Sufficient pressure
exists as long as the needle remains
in the normal range (the area
between the ªLº and ªHº).
If the gauge indicates low pressure,
stop the vehicle as soon as safely
possible and switch off the engine
immediately. Check the oil level.
Add oil if needed (refer toEngine
oilin theMaintenance and care
chapter). If the oil level is correct, have your vehicle checked at your
dealership or by a qualified technician.
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