1996 Ford Contour: check engine light

Filed Jun 12, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · 80,000 miles · KY

I purchased a used 1996 ford contour for my granddaughter and after a few days the check engine light came on. My mechanic diagnosed the problem and fixed it. A few miles down the road it came back on. After further diagnostics it was found that the engine wiring harness was bad. The insulation on the wires was flaking off and in one spot the wire bundle covering had melted. Research on line showed that ford had a recall on this problem (99m03) and extended the recall for 10 years. In an attempt to repair the problem with a different wiring harness has proved to be a loosing battle I contacted ford and they said that they no longer build this part and that they had no parts in stock throughout the USA. I tried salvage yards and there are no good parts out there. How can a used car lot sell cars without looking into safety recalls on the vehicles. I have no recourse but to junk the car and take a $3000 loss. Is there any help out there?

Filed Jan 28, 2009 · Electrical · 103,000 miles · TN

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. The contact stated that the wiring harness was malfunctioning, which causes the check engine indicator to illuminate on the instrument panel, engine failure, and electrical fires under the hood. He has been repairing the failure himself, but the wiring harness continues to malfunction. The dealer stated that there were no recalls related to the failure and the repair would cost $1,500. The manufacturer stated that they would not repair the vehicle. The failure mileage was 103,000.

Filed May 9, 2007 · Electrical · 90,000 miles · AL

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 ford contour. One month ago, the contact discovered that there is a recall for her vehicle. She stated that the engine lights continue to illuminate while driving 40 MPH, and a wiring repair was performed in the transmission. She also stated that the wiring harness was damaged by the heater blower. The vehicle was purchased in 2001 and the contact has been experiencing engine failure ever since. The engine size is not available. The current mileage is 110,000 and failure mileage was 90,000.

Filed Aug 3, 2006 · Engine · 95,000 miles · TN

Dt*: the contact stated the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled without warning, but restarted immediately. The dealership replaced the catalytic converter. The check engine light illuminated and the vehicle stalled 50000 miles later, but would not restart. The vehicle was towed to an independent repair shop, who determined the catalytic converter needed to be replaced.

Filed May 29, 2005 · OH

Shift indicator does not move when car is shifted, driver has to count the clicks to be able to tell if they're in what drive they're in. Saw it in a recall, took it to the dealer and was told that my model isn't covered in the recall. After getting off the highway, car made load moaning noises, engine reved, rpms jumped around and car stalled in the middle of traffic. Started up right after. Did not take to get looked at. If the temperature outside is under 40 degrees, the car will moan loudly, the engine will rev, the steering will go out, and then the car stalls, happens mostly when breaking. Sometimes instead of stalling, the car will lurch forward. Almost caused atleast 3 accidents. Took to a repair shop, they couldn't find anything wrong. When first purchased the car, the engine light would come on all the time. Took it for repair, they said it was a sensor. Had to get the sensor replaced 6 times before the problem stopped, at conumers expense.

Filed Dec 6, 2004 · Brakes · VA

While driving 20 MPH check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle vibrated uncontrollably. Vehicle was taken to the dealer for inspection, and mechanic determined that the brake vacuum hose needed to be replaced and replaced it. However, the problem recurred.

Filed Dec 3, 2003 · Acceleration · 68,000 miles · TX · crash · 3 injuries

The brake pedal was depressed, but the vehicle didn't stop until it impacted a building. Prior to the incident, the vehicle was at idle in the park gear for 5 minutes. The passenger sustained injuries. *ak the check engine light illuminated and the vehicle was continually being taken to the service dealer for the problem. When the incident occurred, there was no warning. The service dealer suggested that the throttle sensor ,somehow, became stuck and the engine overrode the brakes. *scc

Filed Jul 4, 2002 · Engine · GA

Check engine light stays on, replaced o2 sensor with light returning on.

Filed Jan 26, 2002 · Engine · MA

Also the timing belt is broken and there's nothing on owner's guide that tells you to change timing belt after 60,000 miles. Engine light on after one month of buying this car I call the dealer made appointments few times but the problem never went away, few times I had to pay for them to check on the way home the light is back on , I call them back and ask what's the problem , what's the purpose of me taking a day off to bring the car to be fix and the problem still exist., their remark was there's 23 sensor and they could'nt tell which one it was. Now I'm stuck paying 1 1/2 yrs on a car that I don't have , still have to came up with money to get a new engine in which I don't have , bumping ride to and from work, cancel all my appts. And begging people for rides so I can pick up kids from school and food shopping, I can't take the kids to do anything because I have no car that's not fare. Thank-you for all your help ,thank-you again.

Filed Jan 24, 2002 · Electrical, Engine · TX

Engine check light coming on. Took to kinsel ford in june 2001...told catalytic converter going out. Engine light went off...started coming on again and car had alot of exhaust and running rough. Took to silsbee ford and was told that the engine was out due to the engine cooling fan not coming on like it was suppose to so it also fried the wires. Ford is willing to pay for parts but refuses to pay for labor due to the fact that they say it was out of the 100,000 warrenty for the repair. I explained that the problem was going on when I brought it in in june and they didn't correct it then, according to the check out sheet they didn't even check it for that and I specifically asked for that recall to be checked. I had even been in in march of 2000 for the check engine light coming on. I was told by ford that my car had no recall for the engine and engine cooling fan. Just extremely upset that you can have a recall, take your car in and it not be checked for it and when it goes out due to the recall that the company penalizes the consumer.

Filed Jan 2, 2002 · Acceleration, Engine · MI

Stalls out if you take your foot off the gas, surges between 1-4 rmps, engine light is on, all started after I had the heater blower switch replaced.

Filed Sep 5, 2001 · Electrical, Engine · AZ

Problems with the engine light coming on and the servicing dept at the ford dealer and other auto servicing center could not figure out why to this day it is on. At one time the entire interior lights and rear brakes lights went out. It currently shut its self off ( stalls) and get hot. The engine sounds revved up and shortly after the AC unit went out.everything has been checked out/ the alternator was replaced the crankshaft was replaced some wiring had to be replaced all the fluids are where they should be and it still stalls and overheats for no reason. Both front windows electrical motors have gone out.