2004 FORD FREESTAR check engine light

It is recommended you use the appropriate Motorcraft oil filter (or
another brand meeting Ford specifications) for your engine application.
BATTERY
Your vehicle is equipped with a
Motorcraft maintenance-free battery
which normally does not require
additional water during its life of
service.
However, for severe usage or in high temperature climates, check the
battery electrolyte level. Refer to the scheduled maintenance guide for
the service interval schedules.
Keep the electrolyte level in each cell up to the “level indicator”.
Do not overfill the battery cells.
If the electrolyte level in the battery is low, you can add plain tap water
to the battery, as long as you do not use hard water (water with a high
mineral or alkali content). If possible, however, try to only fill the battery
cells with distilled water. If the battery needs water often, have the
charging system checked.
If your battery has a cover/shield, make sure it is reinstalled
after the battery has been cleaned or replaced.
For longer, trouble-free operation, keep the top of the battery clean and
dry. Also, make certain the battery cables are always tightly fastened to
the battery terminals.
If you see any corrosion on the battery or terminals, remove the cables
from the terminals and clean with a wire brush. You can neutralize the
acid with a solution of baking soda and water.
Batteries normally produce explosive gases which can cause
personal injury. Therefore, do not allow flames, sparks or lighted
substances to come near the battery. When working near the battery,
always shield your face and protect your eyes. Always provide proper
ventilation.
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For vehicles with overflow coolant systems with a non-pressurized cap
on the coolant recovery system, add coolant to the coolant recovery
reservoir when the engine is cool. Add the proper mixture of coolant and
water to the “cold full” level. For all other vehicles, which have a coolant
degas system with a pressurized cap, or if it is necessary to remove the
coolant pressure relief cap on the radiator of a vehicle with an overflow
system, follow these steps to add engine coolant.
To reduce the risk of personal injury, make sure the engine is
cool before unscrewing the coolant pressure relief cap. The
cooling system is under pressure; steam and hot liquid can come out
forcefully when the cap is loosened slightly.
1. Before you begin, turn the engine off and let it cool.
2. When the engine is cool, wrap a thick cloth around the coolant
pressure relief cap on the coolant reservoir (a translucent plastic bottle).
Slowly turn cap counterclockwise (left) until pressure begins to release.
3. Step back while the pressure releases.
4. When you are sure that all the pressure has been released, use the
cloth to turn it counterclockwise and remove the cap.
5. Fill the coolant reservoir slowly with the proper coolant mixture (see
above), to within the “cold fill range” or the “cold full” level on the
reservoir. If you removed the radiator cap in an overflow system, fill the
radiator until the coolant is visible and radiator is almost full.
6. Replace the cap. Turn until tightly installed. (Cap must be tightly
installed to prevent coolant loss.)
After any coolant has been added, check the coolant concentration, refer
toChecking Engine Coolantsection. If the concentration is not 50/50
(protection to –34° F/–36° C), drain some coolant and adjust the
concentration. It may take several drains and additions to obtain a 50/50
coolant concentration.
Whenever coolant has been added, the coolant level in the coolant
reservoir should be checked the next few times you drive the vehicle. If
necessary, add enough 50/50 concentration of engine coolant and
distilled water to bring the liquid level to the proper level.
If you have to add more than 1.0 liter (1.0 quart) of engine coolant per
month, have your dealer check the engine cooling system. Your cooling
system may have a leak. Operating an engine with a low level of coolant
can result in engine overheating and possible engine damage.
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emission control, such non-Ford parts should be equivalent to genuine
Ford Motor Company parts in performance and durability.
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
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driving cycles without these or any other temporary malfunctions
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.
1. Start the engine and let it run until it reaches normal operating
temperature (the engine coolant temperature gauge indicator will be
near the center of the normal area between H and C).
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Maintenance and Specifications
247

A
Accessory delay ..........................64
AdvanceTrac ..............................168
Air bag supplemental restraint
system ........................138, 144, 146
and child safety seats ............140
description ..............138, 144, 146
disposal ....................................149
driver air bag ..........141, 145, 147
indicator light .................140, 149
operation .................141, 145, 147
passenger air bag ...141, 145, 147
side air bag ..............................144
Air cleaner filter .......................263
Air filter, cabin ............................41
Antifreeze
(see Engine coolant) ................233
Anti-lock brake system
(see Brakes) ......................167–168
Anti-theft system ......................101
arming the system ..................101
disarming a triggered
system .....................................101
Audio system
(see Radio) ................18, 20, 23, 26
Automatic transaxle .................171
fluid, adding ............................248
fluid, checking ........................248
fluid, refill capacities ..............264
fluid, specification ..................266
Automatic transmission
driving an automatic
overdrive .................................172
Auxiliary power point .................62
Axle
lubricant specifications ..........265
B
Battery .......................................231acid, treating emergencies .....231
jumping a disabled battery ....203
maintenance-free ....................231
replacement, specifications ...263
servicing ..................................231
BeltMinder .................................132
Brakes ........................................167
anti-lock ...........................167–168
anti-lock brake system (ABS)
warning light ...........................167
fluid, checking and adding ....248
fluid, refill capacities ..............264
fluid, specifications .........265–266
lubricant specifications ..265–266
parking ....................................168
shift interlock ..........................171
Bulbs ............................................48
C
Capacities for refilling fluids ....264
Cargo net .....................................84
Cassette tape player..18, 20, 23, 26
Cell phone use ............................70
Certification Label ....................268
Child safety restraints ..............150
child safety belts ....................150
Child safety seats ......................152
in front seat ............................154
in rear seat ..............................154
tether anchorage hardware ...156
Cleaning your vehicle
engine compartment ..............220
instrument panel ....................222
interior .....................................222
interior trim ............................222
plastic parts ............................221
washing ....................................219
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Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
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Index
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L
Lamps
autolamp system .......................42
bulb replacement
specifications chart ..................48
daytime running light ...............42
headlamps .................................42
headlamps, flash to pass ..........43
instrument panel, dimming .....44
interior lamps .....................46–48
replacing bulbs ...................48–51
Lane change indicator
(see Turn signal) ........................46
Liftgate ..................................84–85
Lights, warning and indicator ....10
anti-lock brakes (ABS) ..........167
Load limits .................................176
Locks
autolock .....................................94
childproof ..................................88
doors ..........................................87
Low tire warning .........................15
Lubricant specifications ...265–266
Luggage rack ...............................85
Lumbar support, seats .............105
M
Message center ...........................75
english/metric button ...............78
system check button ................78
warning messages .....................79
Mirrors ...................................54, 64
automatic dimming rearview
mirror ........................................64
fold away ...................................66
heated ........................................65
programmable memory ............95side view mirrors (power) .......65
Motorcraft parts ................242, 263
O
Octane rating ............................241
Oil (see Engine oil) ..................228
Overdrive ...................................172
P
Parking brake ............................168
Parts (see Motorcraft parts) ....263
Passenger Occupant
Classification Sensor .................126
Pedals (see Power adjustable
foot pedals) .................................66
Power adjustable foot pedals .....66
Power distribution box
(see Fuses) ...............................189
Power door locks ..................87, 94
Power mirrors .............................65
Power point .................................62
Power steering ..........................171
fluid, checking and adding ....247
fluid, refill capacity ................264
fluid, specifications .........265–266
Power Windows ...........................63
R
Radio ..........................18, 20, 23, 26
Relays ........................................186
Remote entry system .................89
illuminated entry ..........43, 92–93
locking/unlocking doors .....87, 90
Reverse sensing system ...........174
2004 Windstar(win)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English(fus)
Index
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