2004 FORD THUNDERBIRD check engine

Vehicle Symbol Glossary
Power Windows
Front/Rear
Power Window Lockout
Child Safety Door
Lock/UnlockInterior Luggage
Compartment Release
Symbol
Panic AlarmEngine Oil
Engine CoolantEngine Coolant
Temperature
Do Not Open When HotBattery
Avoid Smoking, Flames,
or SparksBattery Acid
Explosive GasFan Warning
Power Steering FluidMaintain Correct Fluid
LevelMAX MIN
Emission SystemEngine Air Filter
Passenger Compartment
Air FilterJack
Check fuel capLow tire warning
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Introduction
9

WARNING LIGHTS AND CHIMES
Warning lights and gauges can alert you to a vehicle condition that may
become serious enough to cause expensive repairs. A warning light may
illuminate when a problem exists with one of your vehicle’s functions.
Many lights will illuminate when you start your vehicle to make sure the
bulb works. If any light remains on after starting the vehicle, have the
respective system inspected immediately.
Emission system/Check engine:
The Check Engine indicator light
illuminates when the ignition is first
turned to the ON position to check
the bulb. Solid illumination after the engine is started indicates the On
Board Diagnostics System (OBD-II) has detected a malfunction. Refer to
On board diagnostics (OBD-II) in theMaintenance and Specifications
chapter. If the light is blinking, engine misfire is occurring which could
damage your catalytic converter. Drive in a moderate fashion (avoid
heavy acceleration and deceleration) and have your vehicle serviced
immediately.
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.
Check fuel cap: Illuminates when
the fuel cap may not be properly
installed. Continued driving with
this light on may cause the Emission
system/Check engine warning light
to come on. Refer to Fuel Filler Capin theMaintenance and
Specifications chapter.
CHECK
FUELCAP
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
Instrument Cluster
10

Brake system warning light:To
confirm the brake system warning
light is functional, it will
momentarily illuminate when the
ignition is turned to the ON position
when the engine is not running, or in a position between ON and START,
or by applying the parking brake when the ignition is turned to the ON
position. If the brake system warning light does not illuminate at this
time, seek service immediately from your dealership. Illumination after
releasing the parking brake indicates low brake fluid level and the brake
system should be inspected immediately by your servicing dealership.
Driving a vehicle with the brake system warning light on is
dangerous. A significant decrease in braking performance may
occur. It will take you longer to stop the vehicle. Have the vehicle
checked by your dealer immediately.
Anti-lock brake system: If the
ABS light stays illuminated or
continues to flash, a malfunction has
been detected, have the system
serviced immediately. Normal
braking is still functional unless the brake warning light also is
illuminated.
Air bag readiness: If this light fails
to illuminate when ignition is turned
to ON, continues to flash or remains
on, have the system serviced
immediately. A chime will also
sound when a malfunction in the supplemental restraint system has been
detected.
Safety belt: Reminds you to fasten
your safety belt. A chime will also
sound to remind you to fasten your
safety belt.
Charging system: Illuminates when
the battery is not charging properly.
P!
BRAKE
ABS
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
11

Low washer fluid:Illuminates
when the windshield washer fluid is
low.
Bulb warning: A text message
indicates when one of the exterior
front turn lamps or rear
brake/turn/tail lamps bulb has
burned out. Depress the RESET control to return to the Trip odometer
display.
Door ajar: Illuminates when the
ignition is in the ON position and
any door or trunk is open.
Turn signal: Illuminates when the
left or right turn signal or the
hazard lights are turned on. If the
indicators flash faster, check for a burned out bulb.
High beams: Illuminates when the
high beam headlamps are turned on.
Electronic throttle control:
Illuminates when the engine has
defaulted to a ’limp-home ’operation.
Report the fault to a dealer at the
earliest opportunity.
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 (the key is not in the ignition) and the
driver ’s door is opened.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Instrument Cluster
13

2. The amber indicator light will begin to flash after 20 seconds. Without
releasing the HomeLinkbutton, follow step 2 in the “Programming ”
section.
For questions or comments, contact HomeLink at www.homelink.com
or 1–800 –355 –3515.
CONVERTIBLE
Articles stored in the convertible top stowage compartment may break
the rear glass window when the top is lowered.
Lowering the convertible top
The convertible top can be lowered with the side windows either up or
down.
Do not lower the top when the top material is wet.
If you raise and lower the convertible top several times in a row, the
motor will heat up, causing the thermal circuit breaker to open so that
the top will stop operating. The convertible top will operate again after
allowing the motor to cool several minutes.
To lower the convertible top:
1. Bring vehicle to a complete stop. Put the gearshift in the P (Park)
position.
The convertible top will operate with the key in the RUN position,
RUN/ACC position or in the accessory delay mode. It is recommended
that the vehicle ’s engine is running when lowering the top to prevent
draining the battery.
2. Check the convertible top stowage compartment behind the seat to be
sure it is empty and ready to receive the top.
3. Press the button on the
convertible top handle and pull the
handle down and forward to release
the clamps from the windshield
header.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driver Controls
50

Automatic disarming
Switching the ignition to the 4 (RUN) position with acoded keydisarms
the vehicle.
• The
THEFTindicator will illuminate for three seconds and then go
out.
• If the
THEFTindicator stays on for an extended period of time or
flashes rapidly, have the system serviced by your dealer.
Key information
Your vehicle is supplied with two coded keys (or three keys, if the
valet feature is available). Only acoded key will start your vehicle.
Spare coded keys may be purchased from an authorized Ford dealer. An
authorized Ford dealer can also program your coded key,or you can do
it yourself. Refer to Programming spare keys.
The following items may prevent the vehicle from starting:
• Large metallic objects.
• Electronic devices on the key chain that can be used to purchase
gasoline or similar items.
• A second key on the same key ring as the coded key.
If any of these items are present, you need to prevent these objects from
touching the coded keywhile starting the engine. These objects cannot
damage the coded key,but may cause a momentary “no start ”condition
if they are too close to the key when starting the engine. If a problem
occurs, turn the ignition to the OFF position and restart the engine with
all other objects on the key ring held away from the ignition key. Check
to make sure the coded keyis an approved Ford coded key.
If your keys are lost or stolen, you will need to do the following:
• Use your spare key to start the vehicle, or
• Have your vehicle towed to an authorized Ford dealer or a locksmith.
The key codes will need to be erased from your vehicle and new
codes will need to be re-coded.
Replacing coded keys can be very costly and you may want to store an
extra programmed key away from the vehicle in a safe place to prevent
an unforeseen inconvenience.
The correct coded keymust be used for your vehicle. The use of the
wrong coded key may lead to a “no start ”condition.
If an unprogrammed key is used in the ignition, it will cause a
“ no start ”condition.
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Locks and Security
70

Extended idling at high engine speeds can produce very high
temperatures in the engine and exhaust system, creating the risk
of fire or other damage.
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.
Do not start your vehicle in a closed garage or in other enclosed
areas. Exhaust fumes can be toxic. Always open the garage door
before you start the engine. See Guarding against exhaust fumes in
this chapter for more instructions.
If you smell exhaust fumes inside your vehicle, have your dealer
inspect your vehicle immediately. Do not drive if you smell
exhaust fumes.
Important safety precautions
When the engine starts, the idle RPM runs faster to warm the engine. If
the engine idle speed does not slow down automatically, have the vehicle
checked.
Before starting the vehicle:
1. Make sure all occupants buckle their safety belts. For more
information on safety belts and their proper usage, refer to the Seating
and Safety Restraints chapter.
2. Make sure the headlamps and electrical accessories are off.
3. Make sure the parking brake is
set.
4. Make sure the gearshift is in P (Park).
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
110

During Traction Control
operation, the traction control active light will
illuminate, you may hear an electric motor type of sound coming from
the engine compartment and the engine will not “rev-up ”when you push
further on the accelerator. This is normal system behavior and should be
no reason for concern.
The Traction Control
switch,
located on the left-hand side of the
instrument panel, has an indicator
light that illuminates when the
system is off. The Traction Control

system will automatically turn on
every time the ignition is turned off
and on.
If you should become stuck in snow
or ice or on a very slippery road
surface, try switching the Traction Control
system off. This may allow
excess wheel spin to “dig ”the vehicle out and enable a successful
“ rocking ”maneuver.
If a system fault is detected, the traction control switch ’s OFF indicator
will illuminate and your vehicle should be serviced.
Aggressive driving in any road conditions can cause you to lose
control of your vehicle increasing the risk of severe personal
injury or property damage. The occurrence of a Traction Control

event is an indication that at least some of the tires have exceeded
their ability to grip the road; this may lead to an increased risk of loss
of vehicle control, vehicle rollover, personal injury and death. If you
experience a severe road event, SLOW DOWN.
STEERING
To prevent damage to the power steering system:
• Never hold the steering wheel at its furthest turning points (until it
stops) for more than a few seconds when the engine is running.
• Do not operate the vehicle with a low power steering pump fluid level
(below the MIN mark on the reservoir).
If the power steering system breaks down (or if the engine is turned
off), you can steer the vehicle manually, but it takes more effort.
If the steering wanders or pulls, check for:
• an improperly inflated tire
OFF
TRAC
2004 Thunderbird (tbr)
Owners Guide (post-2002-fmt)
USA English (fus)
Driving
114