Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting new mystique

I have just purchased a new 1996 mystique. The car look to be in immaculate condition for the age of it especially compared to my old car. This being said there are a few things that I need to have done before I can have it saftied, and just some things that I would like to see fixed. Important things first. The rear left had turn signal doesn't work, the front one does, and the tail light works just not the turn signal. Also, and apparently it has been listed on the site numerous times but i cannot find it, but there is water comming from the lights in the center of the trunk. I was wondering if any one knows how to address these problems and if so some pointers would be greatly appreciated.

Did you use the search feature? The trunk leak discussion was within the last few weeks right here in the Troubleshooting forum. Here: Trunk Leak

k_jester -

Welcome to the forums!

Yes, you'll find lots of info to help keep your Mystique happy and running well.

What engine and transmission does your car have? This info will help point out weaknesses to watch for, and important preventive maintenance that should not be skipped.

Regarding the turn signal: It's probably the bulb. The bulb has two filaments; only one is burned out.


Phil

the engine is a 2.5L DOHC with a 5 speed standard transmission.

I have heard good things about the engine, but not too much about the transmission, although I figured that standards since standards have been arround for longer then they should have more practice putting them together. Any info regarding preventative matenance and upgrades and the like would be greatly appreciated.

thanks

Jeremy

The 5 speed MTX isnt a bad transmission, treat it good and it will do the same to you. the CD4E automatic on the other hand, isnt nearly as reliable as it.

The water pump should be replaced if it hasn't been, to avoid overheating when the impeller breaks. Cost: less than 100.

Use nothing but ford spark plugs and wires...I learned my lesson on that...these cars only like the ford plugs. Not sure about a 96, but the coffee cup holders if yours is the cassette type break real easy..carefull with them. Water pump as mentioned is another culprit...plastic impellers break on them. If you get a moosing whistling sound coming from engine compartment, there is a fix or mod you can do to prevent it in the FAQ section. The EGR port on the back of the throttle body on these cars get plugged alot. It involves removing the throttle body cleaning and installing a new gasket, also in the FAQ section. Not a bad car if you got it cheap,they handle great and have decent power. They are a relatively high maintenance car, you need to keep up on it thats all. Plugs are a little tricky to replace at first, but if you check the FAQ and post any problems here there is lots of people with good advice. Welcome to CEG !

these cars only like the ford plugs

They like the Autolite APP764 too, at least mine does. Many others in the Duratec maintenance forum seem to agree.

I am glad to see that I am not the only one that has noticed that the cup holders are far from the high selling point of this car. I used to have a taurus and I thought that it had the worst cup holders ever in it, much to my dismay I find that these are not much better. Oh well I gues that it is insulated coffee cup in my lap until I can figure something better out.

just an observation

Jeremy