1998 Ford Contour: engine overheating

Filed Aug 12, 2013 · Electrical, Engine · LA

I am the owner of a 1998 ford contour and the engine harness wire overheated over a long period of time and I was unaware until I had to change my radiator due to a leak and the harness wire had to be disconnected. That was when we found the wire melted and cracked and could not be reused. This harness connects to vehicle main supply. Without harness vehicle is not operable. Ford should be responsible to replace defective harness.

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 May 30, 2006 · Lights · VA

I have a 1998 ford contour that the dashboard lights and rear taillights have stopped working, while the headlights continue to function. The cause was the wiring overheating and I had to replace the wiring harness and the switch. I did some research online and located a recall nhsta campaign 99v103000 for the 1998 ford contour for this exact problem, but according to the dealership my car was not included in the recall. I have had to pay for the work out of pocket, but I am wondering if it was in error than my car was not included.

Filed May 10, 2005 · Engine · 53,133 miles · VA

Driving on intersate 66 from manassas va into washington dc at 65mph when noticed cold air blowing out of heater vents. Car is severely overheated before safe exit from highway. Water pump's plastic impeller had shattered with 53k miles on the car. Ford replaced water pump for $527. After overheating the car also begins to leak oil from several locations. The oil pan gasket is replaced for $407 at 63k miles. The replacement water pump's gasket is discovered to be leaking at 66k miles while trying to locate the source of additional oil leaks - this time the oil pressure sending unit.

Filed Jul 26, 2004 · Electrical · 80,250 miles · CA

Consumer stated that the temperature gauge system was defective. Vehicle lost power, and began to smoke. Consumer was told that the wiring of the temperature gauges was done incorrectly. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that there was nothing that they could do.*ak the vehicle's engine was damaged and had to be replaced as a result of the overheating.

Filed Aug 5, 2002 · Engine · WV

Plastic impeller blades on water pump have reportedly failed on numerous contours, resulting in engine overheating. Coolant from reservoir sprayed inside engine compartment. Upon lifting hood, boiling coolant was visible in reservoir. This presents an injury hazard from the hot coolant, as well as from possible engine failure during vehicle use.

Filed Dec 20, 2001 · Engine · MI

1998 ford contour se, 2.5l v6 - water pump impeller shattered while driving on highway, causing loss of coolant flow. Engine overheated. Fortunately there was a lincoln-mercury dealer less than 1 mile away from the location where the part failed, so engine did not run in overheating condition for very long. Water pump was replaced by this local dealer ($371 total). The car is still my daily driver, and now appears to be operating normally with the new water pump.

Filed Nov 16, 2001 · Electrical · TX

The wiring of the main fuse panel crystalizes due to excessive heat from the engine compartment which causes a breakage in the wiring and the wiring to overheat. This has manifested itself by causing air conditioner blower motor not to work. The wiring gets extremely hot when this happens. I know of other contours that have experienced this same problem.

Filed Apr 14, 2001 · Steering · OK

The temperature gauge in the instrument panel continually reads above the red zone. The car has been checked and is not overheating. There has been a technical report filed on this and it is a known problem. This could be dangerous if the vehicle was to overheat because the driver would not be able to know.

Filed Mar 13, 2001 · Engine · TX

Consumer has had a recall on engine overheating, and dealer has had vehicle for a week. Dealer indicated vehicle was not part of recall.*ak the timing belt was replaced, then new motor due to overheating, 2 months laer there was an internal repair complete, vehicle overheated again and engine was replaced again, consumer is requesting total refund and to turn in vehicle, all problems occurred within a one year period.

Filed Feb 28, 2001 · Engine · NE

Water pump stopped working while consumer was driving and caused engine to overheat and stop. Contacted dealer, and dealer wouldn't do anything.

Filed Jul 17, 2000 · FL

Took vehicle to dealer to have problem resolved, gave info on tsb about problem absolutelly nothing was done to vehicle. Cable assembly at blower resistor melted while A/C was running earlier this afternoon. Will definitely have a discussion with dealer tomorrow. There are two tsb's on blower motors in the 98 contour. Why doesn't the dealers know how to check to see if they apply to a particular vehicle. I informed the asst service manager of the tsb's on my vehicle 99m07 & 99m08 both of which deal with blower and blower resistor problems. Seems my trip to gary smith this date was a waste of time and almost a waste of my vehicle. There could have easily been an electrical fire due to the overheating cable assembly and blower resistor. Maybe the federal safety agency can help resolve this problem before someone gets hurt!!!!