Ford Contour (1999 year). Manual - part 3

Instrumentation

10

Check engine

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 (OBD
II) system. 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.

CHECK

ENGINE

0 0 0 1 2 3

0 0 0 0

10

20

30

40

50

60 70 80

90

110

120

130

MPH

20

40

60

55

80

120

100

140

160

180

200

100

E

F

BRAKE

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

0 0 0 1 2 3

0 0 0 0

10

20

30

40

50

60 70 80

90

110

120

130

MPH

20

40

60

55

80

120

100

140

160

180

200

100

E

F

1

2

0

3

x 1000

4

5

6

7

8

TRACTION

CONTROL

O/D
OFF

CHECK

ENGINE

BRAKE

TRACTION

CONTROL

C

H

Instrumentation

11

The check engine indicator 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 check
engine light illuminates

Light turns on solid:

This means that the OBD II system
has detected a malfunction. 

Temporary malfunctions may cause
your check engine light to
illuminate. Examples are:

• The vehicle has run out of fuel.
(The engine may misfire or run
poorly)

• Poor fuel quality or water in the
fuel.

• The fuel cap may not have been
securely tightened.

Instrumentation

12

These temporary malfunctions can
be corrected by filling the fuel tank
with good quality fuel and/or
properly tightening the fuel cap.
After three drive cycles without
these or any other temporary
malfunctions present, the check
engine light 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 the check engine light remains
on, have your vehicle serviced at
the first available opportunity.

Light is blinking:

Engine misfire is occuring 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 com-
ponents, possibly causing a fire.

Instrumentation

13

CHECK

ENGINE

Air bag readiness

Briefly illuminates when the
ignition is turned on. If the light
fails to illuminate, continues to
flash, or remains on, have the
system serviced immediately.

Low fuel

Illuminates when the fuel tank has
approximately eight liters (two
gallons) remaining.  The lamp will
also illuminate when the ignition
key is turned to ON and the engine
is off.

CHECK

ENGINE

CHECK

ENGINE

Front foglamps (if equipped)

Illuminates when foglamps are
switched on.

Refer to Foglamp control in the
Controls and features chapter for
notes on use.