Even if your temperature is still reading OK, sometimes the radiator coolant light will come on. This problem is an overly active sensor and you probably took too steep of a slope and the sensor tripped. To reset it, stop your car somewhere level and safe. Turn the vehicle off. Turn it back on. The light should go away. If it doesn not, check your radiator fluid level.

If you use a certain procedure (described further down), you can gain access to Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) and many other digital readouts from the trip computer display built into the Cougar's gauge cluster. Items that are displayed include, but are not limited to: RPM, MPH, Battery Voltage, Engine Coolant Temp, DTCs, etc.

1. Hold Down "Units" & "Reset" buttons on the trip computer while the car is off.
2. Turn the car on ... The gauges will reset (pet out) and then return to normal.
3. Release the "Reset" button, THEN the "Units" button ... in that order or it may not work.
4. Push "Select" to go through various Diagnostic Modes, press "Units" to switch between Standard and Metric measuring units, and press "Reset" to return to normal mode (gauge needles will peg out again).

Self Diagnostic Mode DTC OBD-II DTC Description

9201   B1201   Fuel Sender Circuit Failure
9204   B1204   Fuel Sender short to ground
9257   B1257   Climate Control
9317   B1317   Battery voltage high (greater than 16)
9318   B1318   Battery voltage low (less than 10)
9342   B1342   ECU defective
9359   B1359   Ignition Run / ACC circuit failure
0115   P0115   Engine coolant temperature (ECT) circuit malfunction

Any stereo shop will probably sell them. They go for about $16 from Best Buy and Circuit City.