1998 Ford Contour: check engine light

Filed Dec 3, 2015 · Driver assistance, Engine · GA

Takata recall I and other consumers have contacted ford regarding the 1998 ford contour and it's defective parts including the engine wire harness yet they are refusing to acknowledge nor accept responsibility for or correct the problem stating it's not under recall t*jbreating each person who has contacted them as if they are an island and this is a isolated event my water pump,flashers,brake lights,have been all affected by this also my check engine light is on making me unable to register my car and get updated tags please contact t me regarding this matter as I and other consumers need help with this .[xxx] via email also [xxx]. Vin invalid information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6). *tr

Filed Dec 28, 2007 · Electrical · 97,000 miles · FL

Engine wiring harness insulation is crumbling leaving exposed wires. Found that this is a common problem for ford contours (all years), but that a recall has only been issued for 1995-1997 vehicles. Have had multiple problems with sensors not working, speedometer and fuel gauge intermittently stops functioning. Check engine light comes on randomly. Mechanic has stated that problems are in wiring harness.

Filed Mar 1, 2007 · Engine · 50,000 miles · IL

Tl* - the contact called regarding the 1998 ford contour. The contact stated that the engine seized when the temperature was extremely cold. The failure mileage was 50,000. The dealer diagnosed the failure as needing a new processor. The engine light stayed on.

Filed Sep 6, 2006 · Electrical · 97,282 miles · TX

Dt*: the contact stated while traveling 50 MPH, the wiring in the engine compartment became brittle and the insulation cracked and fell off due to overheating. The connection to the engine also disintegrated due to overheating and the check engine light illuminated. The service dealer informed the contact the wiring harness needed to be replaced. When the manufacturer was contacted, the contact was informed the VIN did not match the recall for the electrical system (01v230000), ford recall # 01s22. Updated 1/17/2007 -

Filed Apr 6, 2006 · Engine, Transmission · 32,000 miles · FL

Dt*: the contact stated the vehicle stalled several times immediately after being started and the check engine light illuminated constantly. Therefore the vehicle was taken to an independent repair shop where the battery, on-board computer, and alternator were replaced. A rebuilt transmission was also installed. After the work was performed, the problems continued. There is a the federal safety agency recall campaign # 98v233000, regarding the power train: automatic transmission: lever and linkage: floor shift related to the make and model of the vehicle, however the vehicle was not included in the recall due to the VIN. The water pump and thermostat was replaced. Updated 05/03/06.

Filed Mar 3, 2005 · Engine · 72,000 miles · CO

Check engine light illuminated 9/04 and I took my 98 ford contour to my mechanic who diagnosed it as needing a new catalytic converter. I took it to ford in 3/05 (because my mechanic said it could wait awhile) and they diagnosed a different code and replaced the manifold. After paying $600.00 to ford, the light came on again after 45 miles. Took the car to autozone and they diagnosed a catalytic code. I had told ford that was the problem before I brought it in and now they want me to re-diagnosed with them out of pocket.

Filed Nov 2, 2004 · Transmission · 94,400 miles · CA

I purchased the car on october 1, 2004. I was driving the car for about 10 minutes on the freeway I slowed down due to traffic. When I started to take off I felt a jerk when the transmission shifted. My check engine light came on. When I turn off my car and restart it, it does not jerk when it shifts, unless I continue to drive about 10 miles, then it does it again.

Filed Aug 10, 2004 · Engine · TX

While driving check engine light appeared on the dashboard and remained on. Vehicle was taken to a garage for inspection, and mechanic determined that the engine wiring harness needed to be replaced.

Filed Jan 15, 2004 · Engine, Fuel system · UN

We have a 1998 ford contour. The check engine light goes on. It first came on in oct 01 we took it to the ford garage in delhi. They said it needed a cam sensor/ solenoid sprockets etc. Since that was a lot of money we decided to take it to canadian tire to see what they thought. They thought it was a cam sensor. We had them put that in. $58. Mileage 111346. It worked fine for a couple weeks. We complained to ford and found out about the awa.. After warranty adjustment. This had not been mentioned earlier. So we a new solenoid sprocket etc. Put in by ford,, (jan /02) . How it came to that mileage when ctc had it back in nov/ 01 and then it was* 11134*???? They also had it in dec and the mileage was 112279.) that baffles me. The check engine light was to surface again. My daughter had the car at school so she was finally able to take it to our garage in may/28/02 at that time the garage checked #3 cylinder cause of our check engine concerns.. Cost 39.10. Nothing was done at that time. The engine light continued to stay on. Finally we took it in again on oct 24th and another cam sensor was put on. $144.46. Mileage 130776. On nov,.5th /02 took it in again and they said it would require an exhaust camshaft and solenoid gaskets and seals. We again asked about the awa and they said no it was no longer covered. They said that the last solenoid was only covered for 20,000 km. Had they detected the problem back in may when we brought it in and had they written down the correct mileage then it would have been covered under warranty. Since we did not really feel that the solenoid ( and really didn't want to pay $1000 for fixing it and then finding out that there might be another problem) was the problem, since we had already had that replaced once we considered taking it to a guy that used to work at ford. (his wife drives a contour) he checked the car for surges. Scan tested it tried various computer parts rechecked valve. Etc,, but it all proved negative.

Filed Nov 19, 2003 · Engine · 71,000 miles · OH

While driving at any speed, the vehicle would intermittently stall and the check engine light would stay on. The dealer informed the consumer that a new engine was needed. This vehicle has been repaired for thirteen recalls since ownership by the consumer. *ak *la

Filed Sep 27, 2003 · Electrical · 107,000 miles · OH

My car stopped running while I was in motion at around 45 MPH. Fortunately, traffic was light and I was able to move my disabled vehicle to a safe location off the roadway. The computer was determined to be the problem and was replaced. After picking up the car from the dealer, I drove around thirty miles and noticed that the "check engine" light was on. Returning to the dealer, I was informed it was a faulty sensor. I replaced that, and about 4 miles later, the car died again, while I was on the road, in motion. The dealer mechanic said it was a faulty wiring harness which would cost $2000 to $4000 to repair. We took it to another mechanic who got the car running again for $1400, and the car has died again. I am seeking to file a complaint and request that you investigate the wiring harness on 98 ford contour se's and find out if other drivers are having this problem, since I was lucky twice. If it had been on the freeway, I might not have been.

Filed Jul 19, 2003 · Engine · GA

Car sputtering and stalling. Service engine light comes on and stays on. Have had it "reset" to turn the service engine light off only for it to come back on a few days later.