89 Capri SA check engine light cel/mil

[RobD]

Hi all,
I'm fixing an 89 Capri for a friend and was wondering if the check engine light was supposed to illuminate in this model when either the key was switched to 'on' or cranking the engine, as per other warning lights.
tia
Rob

[RobD]

Ok, I checked with a Ford dealer and spoke with a knowlegable bloke who remembers these vehicles and he told me that these cars were originally built for US export LHD MPH only, but then Ford decided to make a RHD KPH version for local release.

The pollution laws were much tougher in the US at that time and a check engine light was mandatory, so was fitted to the export cars.
The local cars still had the lamp fitted to the instrument cluster but was not connected.
It's the same story for the key buzzer and seatbelt timer/buzzer and lamp.

[smally289]

Sounds right. I remember these cars quite well. Spent many many hours trying to fix water leaks from the roof area. Ford came up with a few different ways to fix them, most of which didn't work. All they really did was move the leak from one spot to another! Other than that, they were a good little car. Being Laser based, they were always going to be reliable.

[RobD]

Originally Posted by smally351

Spent many many hours trying to fix water leaks from the roof area. Ford came up with a few different ways to fix them, most of which didn't work. All they really did was move the leak from one spot to another!

That sounds about right too!!