1997 FORD CONTOUR Electrical System Problems

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! *TR

Mileage: 134,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THERE WAS A BAD GROUND IN THE MAIN LINE HARNESS, WHICH CAUSED THE ELECTRICAL SYSTEM IN THE VEHICLE TO FAIL. THE VEHICLE WAS NOT INCLUDED IN THE RECALL. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 116,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 115,000.

Mileage: 115,000

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1997 FORD CONTOUR. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE DEFROSTER STOPPED WORKING. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 01I009000 (VISIBILITY:DEFROSTER/DEFOGGER SYSTEM:WINDSHIELD:CONTROLS/WIRING) IN 2001. THE INSTRUMENT PANEL AND TAIL LIGHTS ALSO DO NOT WORK. THE VEHICLE WAS SERVICED FOR NHTSA RECALL # 99V103000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING:HEADLIGHTS:SWITCH) IN 1999. THE CURRENT MILEAGE IS 92,794 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000. UPDATED 02-01-08 *BF UPDATED 02/01/08 *TR

Mileage: 90,000

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. *NM

Mileage: 85,000

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM FAILURE, VEHICLE WOULD SOMETIMES START AND SOMETIMES IT WOULD NOT, WHEN VEHICLE ON THE ROAD IT WOULD STOP WHEN MAKING A STOP AT A STOP SIGN OR RED LIGHT, OR WHEN TURNING EITHER LEFT OR RIGHT. *NM

DT: 01S22 FORD RECALL. CONSUMER HAD RECALL WORK DONE . DEALER SHOULD HAVE REPLACED THE HEATER BLOWER SWITCH AND A WIRE JUMPER HARNESS. DEALER COMPLETED WORK ON MARCH 15, 2002. DEALER IWAS MIKE SHAD FORD IN JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA. LAST TUESDAY JULY 12, 2005 THE WIRE JUMPER HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE WHILE CONSUMER WAS DRIVING VEHICLE ON SIDE STREET, GLENWOOD AVE., AT NIGHT. FLAMES SHOT UP FROM WHERE WINDSHIELD WIPERS WERE LOCATED. FLAME LASTED A COUPLE SECONDS THEN WERE GONE. CONSUMER PULLED OVER, CONTACTED FIRE DEPARTMENT, AND HAD VEHICLE TOWED TO A DEALERSHIP. DEALER DON JENKINS FORD IN SUQUAY, NORTH CAROLINA. CONSUMER CONTACTED INSURANCE COMPANY AND THEY SAID IT WAS A DEFECT SO THEY WOULD NOT PAY. CONSUMER FOUND ON NHTSA WEBSITE THAT FORD OFFERED A WARRANTY ON THIS RECALL OF 10 YEARS FROM ORIGINAL DATE OF SALE OR 150,000 MILES. WHEN SHE CONTACTED FORD THEY TOLD HER THAT WARRANTY WAS ONLY 100,000 MILES AND NHTSA WEBSITE INFORMATION WAS INCORRECT. FORD WILL NOT FIX VEHICLE FOR CONSUMER. *AK

Mileage: 138,000

THE VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE AFTER BEING PARKED FOR 2 MINUTES. THE LOCAL FIRE DEPARTMENT ARRIVED TO EXTINGUISH THE FIRE. THE FIRE MARSHALL INFORMED THE CONSUMER THAT THE CAUSE MIGHT HAVE BEEN AN ELECTRICAL SHORT. THE DEALER WAS NOT NOTIFIED AT THIS TIME. *AK *SC *JB

Mileage: 92,708

HEADLIGHTS OVERHEATED, CAUSING THE ELECTRICAL HARNESS TO MELT.*AK THE CONSUMER NOTICED THAT THE VEHICLE LIGHTS WERE NOT WORKING. NHTSA CAMPAIGN ID NUMBER : 99V103000. THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED AS OF YET. *TC

Mileage: 130,000

WHILE PARKED IN THE DRIVEWAY VEHICLE CAUGHT ON FIRE. *AK

Mileage: 109,000

WHEN THE HEADLIGHTS WERE TURNED ON THEY OPERATED PROPERLY BUT THE TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR LIGHTS DID NOT. THIS VEHICLE WAS RECALLED AND REPAIRED FOR THIS PROBLEM ON 10/19/1999. RECALL# 99V103000 SUBJECT: HEADLIGHT SWITCH/WIRING HARNESS. *NM

ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOWN A/C DOES NOT WORK, BACK WINDOW SWITCHES DO NOT WORK, KILLED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR.

ELECTRICAL FIRE INSIDE CAR ABOUT 2 YEARS AGO. ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DOWN A/C DOES NOT WORK, BACK WINDOW SWITCHES DO NOT WORK, KILLED BATTERY AND ALTERNATOR.

TAIL LIGHTS AND INTERIOR DASH LIGHTS WENT OUT WITHOUT WARNING. THIS WAS DUE TO LIGHT SWITCH HARNESS CONNECTORS MELTING, SHORTING OUT THE WIRES.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. IT NOT SHOW ANY INFORMATION, AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART ENGINE TO MAKE IT WORKS AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

WHILE DRIVING ABOUT 65 MPH ELECTRICAL SYSTEM DID NOT WORK. IT NOT SHOW ANY INFORMATION, AND THERE WERE NO LIGHTS. CONSUMER HAD TO RESTART ENGINE TO MAKE IT WORKS AGAIN. PLEASE PROVIDE MORE INFORMATION.*AK

ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC

ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC

ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC

ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC

ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC

ALTERNATOR AND BATTERY REPLACED. *SLC

WIRES INSIDE OF BATTERY WERE DEFECTIVE. WHEN HE STARTING VEHICLE IT WOULDN'T START AT ALL. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM.*AK

WIRES ATTACHED TO ENGINE WERE MISSING AND DEFECTIVE. DEALERSHIP WAS AWARE OF PROBLEM. *AK

VEHICLE STALLS OUT WITHOUT WARNING, REPLACE SENSOR, IAC VALVE, MASS AIR FLOW SENSOR, TRANSMISSION, SHIFT ASSEMBLE.

DURING REPLACEMENT OF HEATER BLOWER SWITCH CONSUMER NOTICED THAT ELECTRICAL WIRES WERE MELTED TOGETHER AND CHARRED BLACK. DEALERSHIP HAS NOT EXAMINED VEHICLE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

I CARRIED MY CAR TO THE DEALERSHIP FOR RECALL SERVICE. THE DEALERSHIP NEVER COMPLETED THE RECALL WORK, BUT DID BILL FORD FOR IT. THE DEALERSHIP LATER OFFERED TO FIX THE SYMPTOMS THAT THE FAULTY PARTS WERE CAUSING FOR A FEE OR $279. I DID NOT HAVE $279 AT THE TIME TO PAY FOR THE SERVICE SO I PURCHASED THE PARTS FOR $101. AFTER I HAD INSTALLED THE PARTS, I SAW A NOTE IN THE PACKAGE THAT DESCRIBED WHAT THE DEALER SOLD TO ME. THE DEALERSHIP ACTUALLY SOLD ME THE RECALL REPAIR KIT. I HAVE THE DOCUMENTATION AND ORIGINAL PART TO PROVE THIS IS THE CASE. *AK ALSO TAIL LIGHTS AND DASH LIGHTS ARE INOPERABLE,HEAD LIGHT SWITCH HAS BURNED OUT, CONSUMER STATES HE SHOULD BE REIMBURSED FOR THE WARRANTY WORK , CONSUMER STATES HE HAS IN HIS POSSESSION THE RECALLED PART AND THAT HTE DEALERSHIP DID NOT PERFORM THE WORK, THAT THEY CLAIM THEY REPLACED, EVEN THOUGH THE WARRANTY WORK WAS NOT PERFORMED BY DEALERSHIP THE FORD MOTOR COMPANY WAS BILLED FOR THE WARRANTY REPAIRS.*JB

HEATER FAN CONTROL SWITCH BEGAN SMOKING AND SHUTDOWN WHILE VEHICLE WAS IN OPERATION. CONSUMER HAS TAKEN VEHICLE TO PRIVATE MECHANIC, WHO INDICATED THAT DEFECT RESULTED FROM FACTORY WIRING HARNESS BEING TOO SMALL A GUAGE OF WIRING TO CARRY ELECTRICAL LOAD. REPLACEMENT WIRING HARNESS WAS OF A HIGHER GUAGE. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/ATTACHMENTS.*AK

WHEN DRIVING VEHICLE WOULD HESITATE. WATER TEMPERATURE GAUAGE WOULD FLUCTUATE. TOOK VEHICLE TO DEALERSHIP. INFORMED BY MECHANIC A TSB WAS SENT BY MANUFACTURER ON CAUSE OF PROBLEM. SEEMED THAT COMPUTER CHIP CAUSED VEHICLE TO HESITATE. MECHANIC REMOVED BATTERY CABLE & LET VEHICLE SIT FOR AWHILE BEFORE REHOOKING CABLES. THIS CAUSED COMPUTER CHIP TO RESET ITSELF. *AK

WIRES ARE FUSED TOGETHER AND SHORTED OUT. NO FUSE OR CIRCUIT BREAKER OPENNED. FIRE WENT OUT WHEN THE KEY WAS TURNED OFF. *AK

AC FAN / BLOWER SPEED SWITCH FAILED AT THE 3RD SPEED SETTING, REQUIRING THE ENTIRE CONTROL ASSEMBLY TO BE REPLACED.

THE WIRES TO THE A\C AND THE ALTERNATOR HAVE RECENTLY BURNED UP..COMPLETLY MELTED..I AM AFRAID THAT THE CAR IS GOING TO CATCH FIRE..ALSO IF YOU COULD LOOK AT MY WARRANTY THROUGH AUTO NATION YOU COULD SEE HOW MANY PROBLEMS I HAVE HAD WITH THIS CAR..IT'S OUTRAGOUS.. IF I DID NOT HAVE WARRANTY I DO NOT KNOW WHAT I WOULD DO..I WANT TO TRADE IT IN ALL THOUGH I HAVE ONLY HAD IT FOR ABOUT A YEAR IN A HALF..BUT I CAN'T AFORD TO KEEP FIXING IT....THANK YOU C.J STAFFORD. *AK

THIS PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THE SAME AS NHTSA ACTION NUMBER PE00023. THE FAN SWITCH AND HARNESS CONNECTOR SHOW BURN DAMAGE, A RELATED PROBLEM SEEMS TO BE THAT THE FUSE PROTECTING THE CIRCUIT DID NOT FAIL. THE FUSE SHOULD HAVE BURNED OUT WHEN THE CONNECTOR FAILED.

THIS ITEM WAS COVERED ONCE UNDER MY ORIGINAL WARRANTY AND ONCE UNDER MY EXTENDED WARRANTY. NO SAFETY DEFECT LISTED. *AK

VEHICLE EXPERIENCED FAILURE OF THE MANUFACTURERS RECALL (99M03) ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS PRIOR TO RECALL NOTIFICATION. *MJS

MY CAR DIED, AFTER PULLING OVER I NOTICED SMOKE COMING FROM THE BACK LEFT SEAT. CALLED FIRE DEPT. THEY SAID REAR WIRE HARNESS CAUGHT ON FIRE. TOWED TO MATT FORD, BUCKNER, MO. OF WHICH THEY SAID THERE WAS NO RECALL, I CALLED FORD 1-800-392-3673 AND WAS TOLD RECALL 99M30 MIGHT COVER IT, BUT IT IS UP TO THE SERVIE MANAGER AT FORD. MATT FORD WILL NOT LOOK AT IT UNTIL MY INSURANCE ADJUSTER LOOKS AT IT. PLEASE HELP!!! COULD I GET A COPY OF THAT RECALL? AND HOW?*AK

WIRING HARNESS MALFUNCTIONED/SHORTED OUT. ALSO, WHEN TURNING LEFT, VEHICLE MADE A KNOCKING NOISE. *AK

CONSUMER STOPPED AT A GAS STATION. WHEN HE PUT HIS KEY IN THE IGNITION, BATTERY BLEW UP. *AK

THE WIRING, THAT RELAYS TO THE STARTER WHEN THE KEY IS TURNED ON IS FAILING, CAUSING THE BATTERY TO WEAR DOWN, AND STOP VEHICLE IN THE MIDDLE OF TRAFFIC. DEALER HAS BEEN CONTACTED. *AK

HI, WE HAVE HAD SO MANY PROBLEMS I CAN'T BELIEVE THAT FORD DOSEN'T RECALL THE 97 CONTOURS.WE ONLY HAD THE CAR 1 MONTH AND THE E.G.R VALVE TO THE EXHAUST MANIFOLD WAS REPLACED.THE P.C. VALVE HAS BEEN SERVICED 4 TIMES.THE EGR PRESSURE FEEDBACK /BACK PRESSURE WAS REPLACED.THE ROTOR ON THE BRAKES WAS CRACKED AND HAD TO BE REPLACED.WE HAVE HAD THE CAR IN THE SHOP A TOTAL OF 58 DAYS.WE TOOK THE CAR IN 5 TIMES TELLING THEM ABOUT THIS BURNING ODOR COMING FROM THE A/C VENTS. RECALL ABOUT WIRE HARNESS. THEY SAID COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN. UNTILL MY HUSBAND TOOK IT FOR THE 4 TIME WHEN THE CAR WAS FULL OF THIS FOGGY SMOKE. HE MADE A SERVICE ADVISIOR COME OUT AND LOOK AT THE CAR FULL OF SMOKE.FOR THREE MONTHS 10-9-99 UNTILL PRESENT .WE HAVE HAD TO ENDURE HEADACHES VOMITING AND LOSS OF OUR VOICES BECAUSE THEY SAID THEY COULD NOT VERIFY CONCERN.WE NOW HAVE PICTURES OF NEGLECT OF THE SAFETY OF MY HUSBAND AND 5 CHILDREN. THE BURNED MELTED PARTS THEY SHOULD HAVE REPLACED BACK ON 10-9-99 IT TOOK UNTILL 1-22-00 AND AS OF RIGHT NOW 2- 10-00 ANOTHER DEALERSHIP HAS HAD THE CAR FOR 7 DAY'S. MAJOR DEFECTS WITH THE 97 CONTOUR.WE THINK THEY SOLD ALL THERE CNG CARS TO PEOPLE AND DIDN'T TELL THEM. I KNOW THEY SURE DIDN'T TELL US. 3 TIMES ON THE OIL CHANGE PAPER THEY MENTION ABOUT THE SELENOID.YOU DON'T HAVE THAT DONE WITH A OIL CHANGE.MAYBE YOU GUY'S CAN CHECK INTO IT? WHY ELSE WOULD OWNERS OF JUST THE 97 CONTOURS HAVE SO MANY PROBLEMS? CHECK YOUR T S B PAGES.PLEASE LET US KNOW WHAT WE CAN DO WE CAN'T TRUST ANYONE TO FIX IT RIGHT WHEN WE WERE TOLD BY FORD SERVICE PEOPLE THEY COULDN'T FIND THE PROBLEM.SOMETHING IS REALLY WRONG WITH ALL OF THESE CARS.

THE ELECTRICAL PROBLEMS I HAVE EXPERIENCED INCLUDE; FAILURE OF TEMPERATURE GAUGE, FAILURE OF CLOCK LIGHT, FAILURE OF ELECTRIC WINDOWS AND EMERGENCY BRAKE LIGHT IGNITING WHEN EMERGENCY BRAKE DISENGAGED.

DASH PANEL LIGHTS WENT OUT. CAUSE UNKNOWN. CONSUMER RECEIVED A RECALL LETTER SHORTLY AFTER THIS PROBLEM OCCURRED, INDICATING THAT THERE WAS A SHORT IN THE UNDER DASH WIRE HARNESS. WHEN THE VEHICLE WAS TAKEN INTO THE DEALERSHIP, HE WANTED THE CONSUMER TO PAY FOR REPAIRS. *AK

WHEN MAKING A LEFT TURN WHILE DRIVING IN RAINY WEATHER OR GOING THROUGH SMALL PUDDLE OF WATER, THE WATER SPLASHES ON THE GENERATOR ,CAUSING COMPLETE POWER LOSS. VEHICLE WAS TAKEN TO DEALERSHIP ON SEPTEMBER 20TH, BUT THE PROBLEM HAS NOT BEEN CORRECTED. PLEASE PROVIDE ANY FURTHER INFORMATION. *AK

THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN THE BATTERY, AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO GET SOMEONE TO GIVE HER A JUMP. ALSO, ALARM SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

THERE IS A SHORT WITHIN THE BATTERY, AND THE CONSUMER HAS TO GET SOMEONE TO GIVE HER A JUMP. ALSO, ALARM SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING. WHEN DRIVING AT ANY SPEED THE VEHICLE IS STALLING AND CUTTING OFF. DEALER CAN'T DETERMINE CAUSE OF THE PROBLEM. *AK

TERMINAL AT THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH AND WIRES WAS DAMAGED WHICH CAUSED ANTI- FREEZE TO LEAK . *AK

HEADLIGHTS KEEP BLOWING OUT AND ALL THE WINDOW'S AREN'T WORKING BECAUSE OF A FUSE THAT KEEPS BLOWING OUT. *AK

VEHICLE IN NUMBER OF TIMES FOR POWER ASSIST GOING OUT WHEN DRIVING IN RAIN OR WATER. 2/99 ACCELERATION LOST WHILE DRIVING VEHICLE IN TRAFFIC, NO POWER. HAD VEHICLE IN PREVIOUS WEEK BEFORE WAS SUPPOSEDLY REPAIRED.

PARKED VEHICLE AND TURNED IGNITION OFF. WHEN THE OWNER CAME BACK OUTSIDE NOTICED THAT VEHICLE WAS ON FIRE. THE FIRE STARTED UNDER THE HOOD. VEHICLE WAS TOTALED. CONSUMER STATED THAT BEFORE THE FIRE BROKE OUT, HE SMELLED GAS FOR 10 DAYS, AND HE HAD MADE AN APPOINTMENT AT SERVICE STATION TO CHECK OUT VEHICLE. BUT THE VEHICLE HAD CAUGHT ON FIRE BEFORE THE APPOINTMENT. THERE WERE A COUPLE OF RECALLS LISTED ON THIS VEHICLE CONCERNING FIRES. *AK

MAIN COMPUTER TROUBLE CAUSING VEHICLE TO HAVE STARTING PROBLEMS.