1997 Ford Contour: check engine light

Filed Aug 6, 2012 · Electrical, Engine · 134,000 miles · TX

The wiring harness has deteriorated to where the engine runs lean and dies. The check engine light came on while driving. Once home I checked everything I could until the engine compartment cooled then noticed the wiring on the number 1 cylinder. The more I looked I could see all the injector plugs were deteriorated badly with number 4 being worse. Just touching the harness causes the insulation to flake off and bare wires to be exposed. I purchased a code reader to allow proper indications of what codes were indicated when the check engine light illuminated. Now ford wants me to take the vehicle to a dealer so they can charge me and tell me what I already know and can plainly see!

Filed Mar 6, 2009 · Brakes, Fuel system · 87,000 miles · NC

Could not get an inspection sticker - no mechanic could find out why the check engine will not go off -very costly. It stalls when raining, the passenger door handle does not work, it has to warm up for 5 minutes before it will move, the tail lights came loose, causing melting of housing, every valve imaginable has been replaced, belt squeals when air or defrost turned on.

Filed Dec 30, 2006 · Electrical, Engine · 85,000 miles · FL

I have 1997 ford contour se. I have had several problems with it, check engine light comes on constantly, radiator light comes on constantly, runs poorly. I had all checked when they happen on multilple occasions. After doing some research on the internet, I found that there may be a problem with the wiring harness in the engine compartment. I was told by a freind that he had heard of a problem like this and ford was fixing them, and I should call the dealer. I called the dealer and they confirmed there was a recall but based on my VIN I was not included due to the age of my car. This was done at brandon ford around the july/august time frame. Thinking that I had to do the repair myself, due to the cost at the dealership (over $3000.00), I started looking for parts myself on the internet. There I found the recall/ext. Warranty info. 99m03 and in this it states 10 years or 100,000 mile. I again got hope that maybe they had missread the recall at the dealer ship. I then returned with VIN and the info 99m03 in had and one of their service advisers confirmed that it should be covered. I then made an appointment for the next day to drop the car off at 8:30am to have it done. I call that same day at 2:30pm to check to see if and for how long I wounld need a rental car. I was told at that time that my car was not covered due to it's age and that it ran out on 10/26/06. Had the first person looked the info. Up properly back in the july/august time frame it would have been fixed. I was also told by the service manager that the repair would take them approx. 3 days to do, and for only gives them 6-7 hrs to do it, so they lose money to do these repairs. Based on the 99m03 info I should have recieved a letter stating the ext. Warranty which I did not, but had recieved other recall info.

Filed Dec 2, 2003 · Brakes, Engine · OR

I believe all 1997 ford contours should be recalled, over the past 3 years I have replaced the clutch, waterpump, blower motor, both lower control arms, bushings, sway bars, wheel bearings, front & rear brakes and rotors(both twice!!!!), axle, 2 oxygen sensors, catalytic converter, egr valve, coil springs, battery, balljoints, door latch, almost all of the full front suspension!!!! There are more parts that I had replaced but I can't remember all the names of the parts there are too many!! My check engine light will not turn off, seat belt light will not turn off, short in the drivers side power window, the engine will (rev) up by itself when it's in gear and when it's not, short in the drivers side power seats, water leakage in the trunk, A/C leaks onto the passenger side floor, all doors squeak no matter what you do, carpet is falling out, horn will not work most of the time, same for the cruise control, windshield wiper sprayer does not work, knocking noise coming from the engine, ended up in very bad debt because of this and no one will take it, I still owe money on the piece of crap. Contacted ford motor at one time regarding all the parts I replaced after the first year I had it, they say it's not there problem. Dealership who sold it to me says it was just fine, bull crap!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I believe that those are too many items for a 1997 to go wrong on.

Filed Dec 31, 2001 · Engine, Transmission · CA

Defroster will not work, will block the view and could cause an accident. *ak also the check engine light was on, coolant leaking, engine overheating, transmission was inoperative, and the water pump was leaking.

Filed Oct 22, 1999 · Engine · MI

The check engine light comes on and the vehicle cuts off without no prior warning and there is smoke coming from the exhaust system.

Filed Dec 6, 1996 · PA

Check engine light came on/off.

Filed Nov 7, 1996 · PA

Check engine light comes on/off.