2004 FORD EXPLORER check engine light

How fail-safe cooling works
If the engine begins to overheat:
•The engine coolant temperature
gauge will move to the red (hot)
area.
•HIGH TEMP LOW OIL (if
equipped) or CHECK GAUGE (if
equipped) will illuminate.
•The “Service Engine Soon”
indicator light will illuminate.
If the engine reaches a preset
over-temperature condition, the engine will automatically switch to
alternating cylinder operation. Each disabled cylinder acts as an air
pump and cools the engine.
When this occurs the vehicle will still operate. However:
•The engine power will be limited.
•The air conditioning system will be disabled.
Continued operation will increase the engine temperature:
•The engine will completely shut down.
•Steering and braking effort will increase.
Once the engine temperature cools, the engine can be re-started. Take
your vehicle to a service facility as soon as possible to minimize engine
damage.
When fail-safe mode is activated
You have limited engine power when in the fail-safe mode, so drive the
vehicle with caution. The vehicle will not be able to maintain high speed
operation and the engine will run rough. Remember that the engine is
capable of completely shutting down automatically to prevent engine
damage, therefore:
1. Pull off the road as soon as safely possible and turn off the engine.
2. Arrange for the vehicle to be taken to a service facility.
3. If this is not possible, wait a short period for the engine to cool.
4. Check the coolant level and replenish if low.
Never remove the coolant reservoir cap while the engine is
running or hot.
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•Revving the engine before turning it off may reduce fuel economy.
•Using the air conditioner or defroster may reduce fuel economy.
•You may want to turn off the speed control in hilly terrain if
unnecessary shifting between third and fourth gear occurs.
Unnecessary shifting of this type could result in reduced fuel
economy.
•Warming up a vehicle on cold mornings is not required and may
reduce fuel economy.
•Resting your foot on the brake pedal while driving may reduce fuel
economy.
•Combine errands and minimize stop-and-go driving.
Maintenance
•Keep tires properly inflated and use only recommended size.
•Operating a vehicle with the wheels out of alignment will reduce fuel
economy.
•Use recommended engine oil. Refer toLubricant specificationsin
this chapter.
•Perform all regularly scheduled maintenance items. Follow the
recommended maintenance schedule and owner maintenance checks
found in your vehicle scheduled maintenance guide.
Conditions
•Heavily loading a vehicle or towing a trailer may reduce fuel economy
at any speed.
•Carrying unnecessary weight may reduce fuel economy (approximately
0.4 km/L [1 mpg] is lost for every 180 kg [400 lb] of weight carried).
•Adding certain accessories to your vehicle (for example bug
deflectors, rollbars/light bars, running boards, ski/luggage racks) may
reduce fuel economy.
•Fuel economy may decrease with lower temperatures during the first
12–16 km (8–10 miles) of driving.
•Driving on flat terrain offers improved fuel economy as compared to
driving on hilly terrain.
•Transmissions give their best fuel economy when operated in the top
cruise gear and with steady pressure on the gas pedal.
•Four-wheel-drive operation (if equipped) is less fuel efficient than
two-wheel-drive operation.
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Do not park, idle, or drive your vehicle in dry grass or other dry
ground cover. The emission system heats up the engine
compartment and exhaust system, which can start a fire.
Illumination of the “Check Engine” light, charging system warning light
or the temperature warning light, fluid leaks, strange odors, smoke or
loss of engine power, could indicate that the emission control system is
not working properly.
Exhaust leaks may result in entry of harmful and potentially
lethal fumes into the passenger compartment.
Do not make any unauthorized changes to your vehicle or engine. By
law, vehicle owners and anyone who manufactures, repairs, services,
sells, leases, trades vehicles, or supervises a fleet of vehicles are not
permitted to intentionally remove an emission control device or prevent
it from working. Information about your vehicle’s emission system is on
the Vehicle Emission Control Information Decal located on or near the
engine. This decal identifies engine displacement and gives some tune up
specifications.
Please consult yourWarranty Guidefor complete emission warranty
information.
On board diagnostics (OBD-II)
Your vehicle is equipped with a computer that monitors the engine’s
emission control system. This system is commonly known as the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II). This OBD-II system protects the
environment by ensuring that your vehicle continues to meet
government emission standards. The OBD-II system also assists the
service technician in properly servicing your vehicle. When theCheck
Engine/Service Engine Soonlight illuminates, the OBD-II system has
detected a malfunction. Temporary malfunctions may cause yourCheck
Engine/Service 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 securely tightened.
These temporary malfunctions can be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or properly tightening the fuel cap. After three
driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
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present, theCheck Engine/Service 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 theCheck Engine/Service Engine Soonlight remains on, have your
vehicle serviced at the first available opportunity.
Readiness for Inspection/Maintenance (I/M) testing
In some localities, it may be a legal requirement to pass an I/M test of
the on-board diagnostics system. If your “Check Engine/Service Engine
Soon” light is on, refer to the description in theWarning lights and
chimessection of theInstrument clusterchapter. Your vehicle may not
pass the I/M test with the “Check Engine/Service Engine Soon” light on.
If the vehicle’s powertrain system or its battery has just been serviced,
the on-board diagnostics system is reset to a “not ready for I/M test”
condition. To ready the on-board diagnostics system for I/M testing, a
minimum of 30 minutes of city and highway driving is necessary as
described below:
•First, at least 10 minutes of driving on an expressway or highway.
•Next, at least 20 minutes driving in stop-and-go, city-type traffic with
at least four idle periods.
Allow the vehicle to sit for at least eight hours without starting the
engine. Then, start the engine and complete the above driving cycle. The
engine must warm up to its normal operating temperature. Once started,
do not turn off the engine until the above driving cycle is complete.
CHECKING AND ADDING POWER STEERING FLUID
Check the power steering fluid. Refer to the scheduled maintenance
guide for the service interval schedules. If adding fluid is necessary, use
only MERCONAT F.
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A
Accessory delay ..........................52
AdvanceTrac ..............................143
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ................................116, 120
and child safety seats ............118
description ......................116, 120
disposal ....................................123
driver air bag ..................118, 121
indicator light .................120, 123
operation .........................118, 121
passenger air bag ...........118, 121
Air cleaner filter .......................271
Air conditioning ..........................32
All Wheel Drive (AWD),
driving off road .........................163
Ambulance packages ....................7
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................236
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ..............................141
Audio system
(see Radio) ......................18, 21, 25
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................149
fluid, adding ............................255
fluid, checking ........................255
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specification ..................276
Auxiliary power point .................51
Axle
lubricant
specifications ..................274, 276
refill capacities ........................272
B
Battery .......................................234acid, treating
emergencies ............................234
jumping a disabled
battery .....................................203
maintenance-free ....................234
replacement,
specifications ..........................271
servicing ..................................234
BeltMinder .................................112
Brakes ........................................140
anti-lock ...................................141
anti-lock brake system
(ABS) warning light ...............141
fluid, checking and adding ....255
fluid, refill capacities ..............272
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
lubricant
specifications ..................274, 276
parking ....................................142
shift interlock ..........................147
C
Calculating load ........................174
Capacities for refilling fluids ....272
Cargo cover .................................78
Cell phone use ............................48
Certification Label ....................278
Changing a tire .........................194
Child safety restraints ..............124
child safety belts ....................124
Child safety seats ......................127
attaching with tether
straps .......................................131
in front seat ............................129
in rear seat ..............................129
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............220
instrument panel ....................222
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coolant .....................................236
fail-safe coolant ......................240
idle speed control ...................234
lubrication
specifications ..................274, 276
refill capacities ........................272
service points ..................227–228
starting after a collision .........182
Engine block heater .................140
Engine oil ..................................229
checking and adding ..............229
dipstick ....................................229
filter, specifications ........233, 271
recommendations ...................233
refill capacities ........................272
specifications ..................274, 276
Exhaust fumes ..........................140
F
Fail safe cooling ........................240
Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) ....242
Floor mats ...................................77
Fluid capacities .........................272
Foglamps .....................................37
Four-Wheel Drive vehicles .......153
driving off road ...............155, 163
indicator light .........................154
preparing to drive your
vehicle .....................................146
Fuel ............................................242
calculating fuel
economy
............................68, 248
cap ...........................................246
capacity ...................................272
choosing the right fuel ...........244
comparisons with EPA fuel
economy estimates .................251
detergent in fuel .....................246filling your vehicle
with fuel ..................242, 246, 248
filter, specifications ........247, 271
fuel pump shut-off
switch ......................................182
improving fuel economy ........248
octane rating ...........245, 276–277
quality ......................................245
running out of fuel .................246
safety information relating to
automotive fuels .....................242
Fuel - flex fuel vehicle
(FFV) .........................242, 244–245
Fuses ..................................183, 185
G
Garage door opener ....................50
Garage Door Opener
(see Homelink wireless control
system) ........................................60
Gas cap
(see Fuel cap) ...........................246
Gas mileage
(see Fuel economy) .................248
Gauges .........................................15
GAWR
(Gross Axle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................174
GVWR
(Gross Vehicle Weight Rating)
calculating ...............................174
H
Hazard flashers .........................182
Head restraints ...........................94
Headlamps
aiming ........................................39
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Motorcraft parts ................247, 271
O
Octane rating ............................245
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................229
P
Parking brake ............................142
Parts
(see Motorcraft parts) ..............271
Pedals
(see Power adjustable foot
pedals) .........................................54
Power adjustable foot
pedals ...........................................54
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................189
Power door locks ........................81
Power point .................................51
Power steering ..........................145
fluid, checking and adding ....253
fluid, refill capacity ................272
fluid, specifications .........274, 276
Power Windows ...........................52
Preparing to drive your
vehicle ........................................146
R
Radio ................................18, 21, 25
Rear window defroster ...............36
Relays ................................183, 192
Remote entry system .................83
illuminated entry ......................86
opening the trunk .....................83
Reverse sensing system ...........151Roadside assistance ..................181
Roof rack .....................................79
S
Safety Belt Maintenance ..........115
Safety belts (see Safety
restraints) ..........103, 106–109, 111
Safety Canopy ...................120–121
Safety defects, reporting ..........218
Safety restraints ........103, 106–111
belt minder .............................112
extension assembly ................111
for adults .........................107–109
for children .............................124
safety belt maintenance .........115
warning light and
chime
...............................111–112
Safety seats for children ..........127
Seat belts
(see Safety restraints) .............103
Seats ............................................94
child safety seats ....................127
front seats .................................95
heated ........................................98
memory seat .......................84, 97
Setting the clock
AM/FM/CD .................................21
AM/FM/In-dash 6 CD ................25
AM/FM/Tape/CD .......................29
Snowplowing .................................7
Spark plugs,
specifications .............271, 276–277
Special notice
ambulance conversions ..............7
utility-type vehicles ....................7
Specification chart,
lubricants ...........................274, 276
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