Edmunds Answers questions

What tool do I use to remove front brake calipers on a 1998 Ford Contour 2.0L vin 3 with ABS?

hotrod199 — Tue, 01 Jul 2008 19:19:26 GMT

tool to remove brake calipers on 1998 ford contour

Have a 1998 Ford Contour with a 4 cylinder engine. The thermostat housing breaks at the neck where the radiator hose connects.

John1054 — Thu, 05 Feb 2009 00:06:49 GMT

My 1998 Ford Contour with 4 cyl engine. The thermostat housing breaks at the neck where the radiator hose slips onto the housing. This happens about every other month. What is causing this failure?

Trying to change struts on a Ford Contour. Can't get it off, need help. Spring compressor does not work. What else can I do?

bigred4x4 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 17:47:33 GMT

trying to change struts on a Ford Contour, can't get the strut off, spring compressor not working, how else can i get the strut off?

Lost electrical power on 99 Ford Contour.

lbecerra — Mon, 13 Apr 2009 19:42:39 GMT

My friend has a 99 Ford Contour and loses power when he turns something on. He was told it was his alternator but since has replaced that and had his battery checked and that was good. It turns on but seems to loose power after a while especially if something gets turned on. Any suggestions on what to look for or where to start.

1998 Ford Contour. Anybody have the timing marks for the timing belt?

seter — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:50:32 GMT

Anybody have the timing marks for the timing belt?

1997 Ford Contour. Removed gear from camshaft not realizing there wasn't a pin to realign after replacing seal.

atthebay2 — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 14:34:11 GMT

1997 Ford Contour. Removed gear from camshaft not realizing there wasn't a pin to realign after replacing seal.How do you realign the gear after replacing the seal?

High pressure steering line replacement a 2000 Ford Contour.

wucka — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 09:38:17 GMT

Hello, I have a 2000 Ford Contour. I need to replace the high pressure power steering line. The car is a 2.0 liter.
I am having trouble accessing the end of the line that attaches to the steering not the pump. Any insight?
Thanks, Ben

Where is the computer located on a 98 Ford Contour?

linfalk — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:31:59 GMT

Mechanic can not locate the computer in 98 Ford Contour.

How can I tell if my 98 Ford Contour SE with a 2.5 is a SVT? What is the difference? Thanks, Dan

dan156 — Sun, 29 Mar 2009 14:30:59 GMT

98 Contour SE with a 2.5

Exact location of fuse in fuse box for horn, dome lights on 2000 Ford Contour?

do_it_myself — Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:11:09 GMT

I have no owner's manual for the 2000 Ford Contour. The fuse box panel does not list what each fuse controls.

How hard is it to replace the wheel bearing in a Ford Contour? Does it have rear bearings?

misssam — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 18:01:09 GMT

I have a grinding noise but turning the steering wheel doesn't have any affect on the noise. I can't find anywhere that says anything about rear wheel bearings. Gotta have them doesn't it??

Where is the fuse box on a Ford Contour?

ljulson — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 21:49:53 GMT

2000 ford contour

How to loosen belt tensioner on 1999 Ford Contour

sajahand08 — Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:02:09 GMT

where is belt tensioner?

Would my Ford Contour SVT be running differently if someone swapped throttlebody, intake and injector parts from a standard Duratech V6?

dmstar — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 12:57:38 GMT

I own a '98 contour SVT, got a DUI, car was impounded and I just got it out after it spent the wkend in their lot. Knowing I would not be driving it for at least 6 months, it is possible that they could have yet being illegal swapped motor parts from another V6 2.5L motor throw a little fuel cleaner in the gas tank and send it on its way. I know for a fact that I had nearly a half tank in it when it entered the lot and recieved it back with under an 1/8. They had all my keys makes me worry even more. I normally sleep like a rock however for some reason last night I could'nt get a wink. Up all night, and in the mourning I logged on to some sale pages and found last listed items for an SVT no year just parts Local to me real strange. I decided to go investigate since I have not drove car since I got it back Just yesterday. I'm missing 1/2 quart of oil I had in car as well as car usually runs best when its cold out side. It runs like crap, revs like crap pedal feels extremely close to floor (gas pedal) and the exuast smells irregular. Ive had the car for 2yrs I know my baby when it needs something and I have this terrible gut feeling smething is wrong? What do you think I should do?
Thre is also a missing screw on the belt shield that is most obvious someone tampered with my car, its kinda dusty except for where the screw is missing, and I know for a fact that it was'nt missng before.
I have a power steering fluid leak that causes me to open the hood once o twice a week!

Parts listed are as follows: upper and lower intake manifolds w/ thrttl body, all 6 injectors "lok like new"
all 4 cams "also look like new"
all 24 followers and lash adusters
MAKE/OFFER Well I'm gonna get thewm before someone gets /recieves stolen parts!

My ? was how would my car run? Like crap? my car has only 32k miles and I'm the 2nd owner!

I need to know how to change a alternator on a 1996 Ford Contour with the diagram shown.

wolfangel49 — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 13:23:45 GMT

it is believed to be a 2.0 or 2.8 engine.And the alternator is on the top in the back.

97 Ford Contour with 70k. Cranks but won't start.

goon2 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:07:05 GMT

my 97 contour died going down the road; prior ran great; cranks but won't start; 1/4 tank gas; appears to not be firing

95 Ford Contour. It almost runs but it goes off immediately. A mechanic said that the motor had to be changed?

carlosh — Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:26:27 GMT

It was running perfectly, but suddenly it was vibrating quite a bit, I thought it had spilled the radiator water but, it's o.k. antifreeze and all, motor oil is o.k., as well as transmission oil, I'm not sure if the complete motor has to be changed?, I do doubt it, but, rather ask, thanks.

I have a 99 Ford Contour. While I'm driving it jerks and the rpm hands goes up and down. What can it be?

terryb12 — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 20:54:11 GMT

when I'm driving the car jerks. while driving I've noticed that the rpm is running about 2100. i thought it was bad gas. i got gas one night on the way to work it ran fine, but on the way home the next morning the car started to jerk. i changed the spark plugs thinking that would solve the problem. as I'm driving down the road the rpm goes up and down and the car jerks after a while of driving it stops or if i stop for about five minutes it drives fine for a while. do you know what it can be?

How to change an alternator belt on 2001 Ford Contour?

kevinmiller — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 13:13:23 GMT

I know how to change belts. I just want to know if there is an easier way to get the belt off on a 2001 ford contour

How do you change the idle on a 2000 Ford Contour?

crayon1 — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 13:20:39 GMT

how do you change idle on 2000 ford contour

Where would a PCV valve be located on a 2000 Ford Contour?

crayon1 — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 11:38:35 GMT

where would a pcv valve be located on a 2000 ford contour

I have a 98 Ford Contour with a cooling fan problem.

gene0161 — Thu, 14 May 2009 11:52:03 GMT

The car has two fans. When the motor gets hot the fans don`t kick on but when I unplug the temp sensor both fans kick on low speed then high.

We`ve replaced both relays and temp sensor but still not working. We also changed the resistor and that didn`t work. What could we try next ?

I have a 98 Ford Contour. Is the fuel pump located in the tank?

rgorman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:32:54 GMT

I have a 98 Ford Contour and I need to know if the fuel pump is located inside the gas tank.

What procedure do I take to install a top radiator hose on my 1995 Ford Contour 2.5 liter 24 valve dohc with a/c?

ernieh — Sun, 14 Jun 2009 23:31:46 GMT

While driving my 1995 Ford Contour the molded coolant hose cracked and started to leak.

The system is a closed one with a recovery or expansion tank no old school filler neck on the rad the car has a/c engine is 2.5 liter 24 valve dohc

How do I refill the system so I don't overfill it after I replace the hose?

Is it worth changing head gaskets on a motor with 190,000 miles or should I find a lower mileage motor? Ford Contour.

brokenpiston — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 23:50:50 GMT

I acquired a 98 Contour in mint condition with all options. Apparently it has a head gasket leak and the previous owner started to disassemble it to change it himself. He got frustrated or thought he was over his head. I am quite handy but would like to hear from someone who has had a similar issue with their 2.5 so I can decide whether to continue the repair or just find another motor.

How do I reset the anti-theft system on my 98 Ford Contour SVT?

starstream_svt — Mon, 27 Jul 2009 23:57:09 GMT

How do I reset the anti-theft system on my 98 Ford Contour SVT?

Can anyone help me solve a leaky inner cooler problem? 2000 Ford Contour SVT Lightning.

holeshot29 — Mon, 03 Aug 2009 22:05:19 GMT

I have a 2000 SVT Ford lightning and I've been having a problem with the super charger inner cooler reservoir burning coolant that has continued to get worse and worse. I've pressure tested the system and it holds pressure. It is not the cap, it does not leak, there is no indication of coolant on the spark plugs which tells me it is not burning up in the motor and there is no sign of coolant in my oil. Has anyone else had this problem and can anyone tell me what is going on or how I can fix it. I just can't figure it out.

Where are the radiator cooling fan relays located on a 1997 Ford Contour?

johnj1970 — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 13:34:37 GMT

I called to get replacement relay and I was told there is a high speed and a low speed relay. Which one do I need? Does this depend on the location of the relays? Thanks.

I need to buy or rent special service tools t81p-1104-c and t81p-1104-bh to replace the half-shaft on a 97 Ford Contour.

knixter — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 15:09:15 GMT

'97 Ford Contour, I need the above tools to replace the CV-Halfshaft, can anyone tell me where to buy or at least who makes them

95 Ford Contour MAF? Causes?

yankee4rb — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 11:38:24 GMT

My sons 95 Contour 4cylinder car has been running real good since we bought it over the summer. All of the sudden last week it would run for a little while then it would throttle way down and die. when i purchased the car i changed all the PM stuff, fuel filter, air filter etc. I put my reader on it and it came up with the codes 112, 157, 158, 159. All point to the MAF sensor, too much voltage, not enough voltage, no voltage, and inconsistent voltage. Got some approved MAF spray cleaner, cleaned it up real good, started up, ran 10 minutes in idle then sputtered and died with a bad exhaust smell and white smoke. My questions is: I can obviously just go out and buy a new MAF sensor, but I have read several places where it is said these sensors rarely go bad. Before I spend 80$ and not fix anything, is there another root cause that would cause the MAF to spit out these codes?

Where is the oil filter on a 1996 Ford Contour with a 2.0L 4cyl egine located?

lacock3 — Sat, 21 Jun 2008 15:53:44 GMT

Can't find it

Where can I find the crankshaft sensor on my 1995 4 cylinder Ford Contour?

carlosh — Fri, 12 Sep 2008 16:12:03 GMT

Me and my dad worked on changing the timing belt, and we had the car up on a stand, then when everything had been changed but still on the stand and not completely set all toghether, we turned it on and it ran perfectly well from the very 1st time, BUT, when we got it of the stand and set everthing else back to place, like belt plastic covers, and everything, it didn't wanted to start again, and we noticed that the sparkplugs show up wet with gasoline, does any one know what could have happened?
Thanks.

1997 2.0 Zetec Ford Mondeo Auto Transmission Shifting Problems

badxebec — Fri, 13 Mar 2009 08:11:25 GMT

High there, I've recently developed a problem where my Ford Mondeo drives completely fine sometimes and then at other times will drive fine then suddenly begin shifting down or up gears randomly causing the car to buck and judder, this normally last anywhere from 30 seconds to five minutes and then will return to its normal, fine gear shifting self. However, if I go over 100 km/hr then it really begins acting up and I have to stop the car for 15 minutes before it will return to normal, otherwise it just keeps trying to unsuccessfully go into over-drive and/or 3rd gear and when failing to, shifts into 2nd gear which at 100km/hr is rather hairy. The transmission fluid levels are fine, the transmission fluid is a nice cherry red colour like it is suppose to be. The selector lever position sensor is correctly aligned and as far as I can tell the transmission speed sensor is ok. It may be one of these sensors are faulty but I'm not sure. The car has done about 135,000km. Can anyone help please?

My 2000 Ford Contour SVT dies while driving and putting clutch in coming to a stop.

rayschaub — Sat, 25 Apr 2009 03:07:55 GMT

New spark plugs and alternator.

My car stalls everytime I take my foot off the gas. Where is the EVAP purge valve located? Ford Contour.

red1210 — Mon, 04 May 2009 19:23:57 GMT

Car stalls every time foot is off the gas pedal. I was detected a fuel tank pressure charge greater than a minus 7in of H20 in 30 seconds with purge less then 0.20lbs per minute.

So where is the EVAP purge valve located and the hose between purge valve and FIp sensor located 1997 Ford Contour.

Where is the fuel pump relay located on a 98 Ford Contour?

rgorman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 11:59:19 GMT

Where is the fuel pump relay located on a 98 Ford Contour?

My 98 Ford Contour died while I was driving down the road. Now it won't start. It turns over but will not crank.

rgorman — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 12:31:46 GMT

I have a 98 Ford Contour. I was driving down the road and the car just shut off. Now it won't start. The engine turns over but will not crank. Please help!

I purchased a new thermostat for my 1995 Ford Contour 2.5 liter 24 valve. The O ring seems to be too big. Please help.

ernieh — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 13:19:16 GMT

I purchased a new thermostat for my 1995 Ford Contour 2.5 liter 24 valve dohc. It came with a new o ring. When I took the old o ring off the old thermostat and compared them, they are the same size they seem to be too big to fit the thermostat.

Do they magically expand? Please help as I would like to have the vehicle running again.

I have a 1999 Ford Contour. My check engine light is on. I had a diagnostic performed and it is a wiring problem.

greendorf — Thu, 20 Aug 2009 13:02:59 GMT

I was told that the wire harness was shorted or corroded and had to be replaced. 1)Is their any information on this problem with 1999 Ford Contours? 2)I heard that their was a recall for wiring problems, was there? 3)How do I get this repaired? Thank You.

My 1997 Ford Contour keeps flashing 45 for an air bag code, what does it mean?

jan37 — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 13:48:12 GMT

I need to know what an air bag code 45 means for a 1997 Ford Contour? Thanks

How do I check the transmission fluid on a 1998 Ford Contour?

kngraider — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 20:18:32 GMT

Transmission making noise when I accelerate.

Where do I find the dip stick for the transmission fluid on a Ford Contour?

kngraider — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 18:19:19 GMT

Where do I look under the hood?

Car turns over but will not start. 95 Ford Contour.

msbee52 — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:18:54 GMT

Car turns over but will not start. 95 Ford Contour.

Can you switch out steering column to bypass the PATS SYSTEM on a Ford Contour. Or is there a way around it? The light just flashes!

starstream_svt — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 01:40:53 GMT

I read somewhere when you switch on the 98 SVT Ford Contour you have to wait 3 seconds until the theft light goes off until you can start the engine. What happen was I choked off and while the car was still rolling I came off the clutch to crank the car back up without using the key and every since it will not start.