2004 DODGE SPRINTER check engine

146 STARTING AND OPERATING Protect sharp edges with padding.
 Check the tire pressures after loading the vehicle.
For passenger vans:
 Do not stack loads higher than the upper edge of the
backrests.
 Always place the load against the backrests of the
seat benches.
 Whenever possible, transport loads behind seats
that are not occupied.
 Distribute the load in such a way that the
permissible axle loads are not exceeded when the
vehicle is equipped with the maximum number of
seats. Loading the luggage compartment up to the
maximum payload would cause the permissible
rear axle load to be exceeded.
BRA KES
Service Brake
WARNING!
When the engine is not running, the brake and
steering systems are without power assistance.
Under these circumstances, a much greater effort
is necessary to stop or steer the vehicle.
After driving in heavy rain for some time without
applying the brakes or through water deep
enough to wet brake components, the first
braking action may be somewhat reduced and
increased pedal pressure may be necessary. Be
sure to maintain a safe distance from vehicles in
front.
Resting your foot on the brake pedal will cause
excessive and premature wear of the brake pads.
It can also result in the brakes overheating,
thereby significantly reducing their effectiveness.
It may not be possible to stop the vehicle in
sufficient time to avoid an accident.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 149
5
NOTE: If you find that the minimum mark on the
brake fluid reservoir is reached, have the brake system
checked for pad thickness and leaks.
Parking Brake Indicator LampWith the key in position 2 in the ignition lock and the
parking brake released, the indicator lamp lights
up for about 2 seconds.
If the parking brake is on, the indicator lamp does
not go out before the parking brake is released.
WARNING!
Driving with the brake indicator lamp; (3)
illuminated can result in an accident. There may
be a malfunction in the brake system or in the
electronic brake force distribution. The braking
characteristics are affected and the vehicle could
skid if it is braked hard.
Have your brake system checked immediately if
the brake indicator lamp; (3) stays on. Do
not add brake fluid before checking the brake
system. Overfilling the brake fluid reservoir can
result in spilling brake fluid on hot engine parts
and the brake fluid catching fire. There is a risk of
injury due to hot engine parts or hot steam.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 155
5
Electronic Brake Force Distribution (EBD)The electronic brake force distribution (EBD) prevents
the rear wheels from being overbraked when there is
little load on the rear axle or if there is not much friction
between the tires and road (e.g., if the road is wet).
A cceleration Skid Control Indicator Lamp (A SR)
and Brake A ssist System (BA S) if equippedWhen the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
indicator lampk will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
WARNING!
If the brake indicator lamp ;(-) does not
go out or lights up again while driving, the brake
fluid level may not necessarily have dropped be-
low the minimum filling capacity but a malfunc-
tion may have occurred in the EBD. In this case
continue driving, but with even greater care.
The wheels of the rear axle could lock if the
vehicle is braked hard. This could lead to a
skidding of the vehicle. Have the malfunction
traced and repaired without delay by an
authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 161
5
For the indicator lamp k refer to
"Indicator Lamp
Acceleration Skid Control (ASR) and Brake Assist
System (BAS)
".
Indicator Lamp Electronic Stability Program (ESP)
(Cargo/passenger vans type 2500 C/HC/SHC only)When the key is in position 2 in the ignition lock, the
ESP indicator lamp will light up in the instrument
cluster as a function check. It goes out when the engine
is running.
If the indicator lamp remains on or lights up when
the engine is running, the electronic stability program
(ESP) is malfunctioning and switched off
automatically. The engine’s power output may be then
reduced.
WARNING!
The Brake Assist system (BAS) cannot prevent the
natural laws of physics from acting on the vehicle,
nor can it increase braking efficiency beyond that
afforded by the condition of the vehicle brakes
and tires or the traction afforded.
The BAS cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an BAS equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others
.
Adapt your speed and driving style to the
prevailing road, traffic and weather conditions.
Driving too fast increases the risk of an accident.
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STARTING AND OPERATING 163
5
STEERINGWhen the engine is not running, there is no power
assistance for the steering. Greater force will be
required to steer the vehicle.WHEELS AND TIRESCheck tires regularly for even tread wear, tread depth
(note legal requirements) and signs of external
damage.
Only use wheels and tires of the same size, make and
pattern.
Do not install tires that are not approved for the size
and type of wheel installed or the vehicle itself. Only
use those wheel sizes which were delivered to you by
your authorized Sprinter Dealer.
Use only wheels and tires which have been tested and
approved by the vehicle manufacturer.
Break in new tires at moderate speeds for a distance of
about 65 miles (about 100 km).
WARNING!
ESP cannot prevent the natural laws of physics
from acting on the vehicle, nor can it increase the
traction afforded.
The ESP cannot prevent accidents, including
those resulting from excessive speed in turns,
following another vehicle too closely, or
hydroplaning. Only a safe, attentive, and skillful
driver can prevent accidents.
The capabilities of an ESP equipped vehicle must
never be exploited in a reckless or dangerous
manner which could jeopardize the user’s safety
or the safety of others.If the vehicle is to be towed away with the front
wheels clear of the ground, or if the brakes are to be
tested on a brake dynamometer, do not put the key
in position 2 in the ignition lock because the ESP
would engage the brakes to stabilize the vehicle.If the ESP function is used for a prolonged period
of time, the rear axle brakes may fail due to
overheating.
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170 STARTING AND OPERATINGSNOW CHA INSInstall snow chains on rear wheels only. Install snow
chains on exterior wheel in vehicles with double tires.
Comply with the manufacturer’s installation
instructions.
NOTE: Vehicles with snow chains installed are only to
be driven on a snow-covered surface. The snow chains
must be removed on road surfaces free of snow.FUELSUse only commercially available vehicular diesel fuels
No. 2 or No. 1 (ASTM D 975 No. 2-D or No. 1-D).
If diesel fuels are used with a sulphur content
exceeding 0.05 % by weight, engine oil change
intervals must be shortened. Please contact your
Sprinter Dealer to obtain the necessary information.
Marine diesel fuel, heating oil or the like must not be
used.
Refueling from drums or canisters may lead to the fuel
becoming contaminated. This in turn can cause faults
in the fuel system. Always filter the fuel before adding
it to the vehicle’s tank.
Fuel Filter with Water SeparatorCheck the water separator when the fuel indicator
lamp does not go out or comes on while the engine
is running. For more information on the indicator
lamp .
The interval for changing the fuel filter is reduced to
10,000 miles (about 15,000 km).
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198 WHAT TO DO IN EMERGENCIES
Tightening torque for 9,990 lbs (4,530 kgs)
(vehicle type 3500 C/HC/SHC):
Steel wheel – 138 lbf.ft ±14 lbf.ft (190 N.m ±20 N.m)
 Remove jack and stow it in the vehicle tool kit.
 Check the tire pressure.
 Re-tighten the wheel bolts to the specified torque
with a torque wrench after a distance of 30 miles
(about 50 km).
JUMP STA RTINGIf the battery is dead, the engine can be started with
jumper cables from another vehicle’s battery.
WARNING!
After changing a wheel, you must, for safety reasons,
 have the specified tightening torque checked. The
wheels could otherwise work loose.
 check the tire pressure and correct it if necessary.
 retighten the wheel bolts and wheel nuts to the
specified tightening torque once the vehicle has
been driven for 30 miles (50 km).
 have a reversed direction of tire rotation corrected
as soon as possible at a qualified specialist
workshop. The vehicle handling characteristics
could otherwise be affected.
WARNING!
A battery will also produce hydrogen gas, which
is flammable and very explosive. Avoid open
flames and the formation of sparks in the vicinity
of the batteries. Refrain from smoking or cell
phone use. Avoid improper connection of jumper
cables.
Observe safety precautions when handling
batteries.
Exercise care near moving engine components and
electrical cables.
Failure to follow these directions will cause
damage to the electronic components and can lead
to a battery explosion and severe injury or death.
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MAINTAINING YOUR VEHICLE
7
CONTENTS
Engine Compartment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205

Sprinter Original Parts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207Disposal of Service Products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Emission Related Component Warranty
Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208

Regular Checks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208Windshield Washer System Fluid Reservoir . 209Air Filter Restriction Indicator (Optional) . . . 209Engine Oils . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209Engine Oil Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 210Ribbed V-Belt . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211Hydraulic Brake System, Clutch Mechanism
Fluid Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 211Brake fluid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212Engine Coolant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 212
Checking Coolant Level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213

Winter Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215

Batteries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Disconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216Reconnecting the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217Charging the Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 217

Replacing Wiper Blades . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 218Appearance Car and Corrosion Protection . . 219Power Washer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 220Automatic Car Wash . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Tar Stains . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Paintwork, Painted Body Components . . . . . . 221Engine Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 221Vehicle Washing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222Ornamental Moldings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 222Headlamps, Taillamps, Turn Signal Lenses . . 222Window Cleaning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 223
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