Hey there!

[tanisloray]

Hello everyone! I'm surprised there is this forum here! Seems I unwittingly stepped into buying a pretty good car! I'm really glad this resource is here!

I recently purchased a 1998 Ford Contour SE and I have to say, it is by far one of the nicest cars I have owned! My first being a 1999 Ford Escort and my second being a 1997 Acura Integra.

I am missing a sunroof though! That would make my new car perfect.

My car has a few problems with it that I'm getting fixed. Short somewhere, blows out the power mirrors and interior lighting, my radio doesn't work, but the fuse is fine...and I had to get both headlights replaced (400 bucks! GAH!) because the ones on there were still the stock lights. But that's about it. The car has 100k miles on it, so that's really good mileage for a 10 year old car! Runs very nicely, has a bit of a rattle under the drivers side, but i'll get that looked at too. Lots of pick up, beautiful handling....all in all, I'm very happy with it.

Paid 2500 for it.

I look forward to interacting with you all!

[PacificTourG]

Welcome.

400 bucks for headlights? That's crazy.

[AliasJerk]

Welcome.

400 bucks for headlights? That's crazy.

agreed, you could have gotten a set off ebay for 230.

sounds like it needs a little work, check out the wiring, someone could have put the factory head unit back in and not plugged it in very tightly or something.

[beyondloadedSE]

agreed, you could have gotten a set off ebay for 230.

If your going to pay $230, you might as well get OEM headlights from Bill Jenkins for $220 + shipping.

[AliasJerk]

If your going to pay $230, you might as well get OEM headlights from Bill Jenkins for $220 + shipping.

even better.

[tanisloray]

Got everything fixed up. New brakes, rotors (BLARG), new headlights and the fuse isn't fixed, but we figured out what the problem was and bypassed it. My overhead lighting assembly needs to be replaced, but as long as I keep it off, the fuse will not blow and my clock, radio and power mirrors function normally. I will probably get it fixed eventually, just not that important at the moment.

I noticed that there are a lot of water pump problems with other cars, how can I see if mine has been replaced or needs serviced? I read somewhere that the car won't read that the engine is overheating if the pump is malfunctioning. Just want to be sure I'm not destroying my engine!

One other thing, any quick fixes to stop the chrome strip on my tail from popping out? It's coming out on either side.

[LauraSVT]

If your going to pay $230, you might as well get OEM headlights from Bill Jenkins for $220 + shipping.

And if you're going to do that, you might as well call Steve at Tousley and get the suckers for $190 plus shipping.

[LauraSVT]

...One other thing, any quick fixes to stop the chrome strip on my tail from popping out? It's coming out on either side.

Pop the trunk and check the nuts that secure it from inside. If they're simply loose, you may have a very quick fix.

[Pudmunkie]

chrome stip is epoxied, the reflector is bolted.

If the chrome strip is coming out you need to re-glue it

[Tony2005]

...I noticed that there are a lot of water pump problems with other cars, how can I see if mine has been replaced or needs serviced? I read somewhere that the car won't read that the engine is overheating if the pump is malfunctioning. Just want to be sure I'm not destroying my engine!
....

Welcome. Most WP issues are the V6. Is yours V6 or 4 cylinder? If the WP isn't working, the temp gauge will be in the red zone. And if the WP is not working turning on the heater will not have hot air. Just warm (during summer) or cold air (during winter).