Ford Contour check engine light comes on

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 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 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 Aug 16, 2011 · Engine · 100,000 miles · MI · fire

Tl* the contact owns a 1995 ford contour. The contact stated that while parked, a burning odor began to emit from the vents. In addition, the check engine light illuminated on the instrument panel. The vehicle was taken to an independent mechanic for diagnostics, where the mechanic stated that the insulation on the wiring harness melted. The mechanic replaced the thermostat, radiator, oxygen sensor, fuel pump and fuel filter. The failure continued. There was a recall under the federal safety agency campaign id number 00v367000 (engine and engine cooling) that may be related to the failure. The manufacturer was made aware of the failure and stated that the VIN was not included in the recall. The vehicle was not repaired a second time. The approximate failure mileage was 100,000. Updated 2/23/12

Filed Jan 30, 2011 · Body, Fuel system · SC

Dash curling back. Strap for fuel tank rusted, going to break, rust on brake line, rust under both back doors and spreading to underneath car, radio speakers out, car hesitates while accelerating, trunk leaks defroster not working properly because of dash. Was not aware of a recall for dash. Should be recall for corrosion problem as it is unsafe to drive. I have no other means of transportation so I take a huge chance everytime I drive which is 3 or 4 times a week to work.. Fuel pump had to be replaced. Check engine light comes on for no reason. Piece of junk and I can't afford to buy another car. Ford should be ashamed of themselves. They should have to fix these cars or replace them. The mechanic told me the strap for fuel tank is going to break. The car only has 61,000 miles on it. What a joke!

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 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 Nov 9, 2008 · Electrical · ME

Turn car on when car reaches to normal temp check engine light comes on and stalls most of the time at a complete stop shut engine off and check engine light is off till run for a min when engine is called light stays off till engine is warm again.

Filed Jul 23, 2008 · Electrical · CA · fire

My 1995 ford contour was repaired under the recall when the engine cooling fan and wiring harness burned up. However they replaced only that part of the wiring harness that is directly connected with engine cooling fans, the rest of the underhood wiring is failing due to overheating causing the insulation to break down. I had to replace the connector to the engine temperature sensor because it has turned into a soft gelatin like substance causing shorts. I believe the entire underhood wiring harness should have been replaced when the fans caught on fire. Currently there is a shorter maybe an open circuit in the engine wiring causing the check engine light to come on and stay on at times but it sets no trouble codes.

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.