Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting lots of problems

I have a '98 Contour GL 2.0L Zetec and it's full of problems. First of all tonight my heater and a/c went out completely, already had the recall performed about 2 months ago. 3 of my 4 speakers work, no sound at all coming from them. Checked voltage they are not getting any. The power windows in the rear only work for passengers if I switch the lock/ unlock button back and forth. My temp gauge does not work. Also I get very erratic idling when in park or any gear when brake is applied, goes away while moving. I also get a ticking sound from the serpentine belt area. Checked the belt area out and it looks like the a/c pulley is vibrating erratically. Also I get oil shooting through the crankcase breather hose into the air cleaner assembly. It destroyed the breather filter. That is about it. Can someone please help.


KVX

P.S. I have an aftermarket headunit for stereo system.

Welcome to CEG, The oil shooting into your breather hose indicates your PCV valve is not working. Your erratic Idling, is a vacume leak likely a hose or seal leading to your brake booster.

Okay so I shouldn't get anymore oil shooting through, cuz I had the pcv valve changed on Friday. I'll check out about that vacuum leak. But what I really want to know is how do I get my speakers and heat working again?

Well your going to have to get a skematic of your radio, and check the connector on the back of the radio to see if you have speakers coming out of the radio, then chase a cut in the wiring or a faulty connection on the back of the radio. You said you had the heater switch recall done...maybe they accidently knocked of your speaker connection part way??? If you have no heater or AC then take it back and have them recheck it again. I suspect your radio speaker plug is not fully seated and it was knocked off when they done your blower switch. Pretty basic stuff...it is recall, so get them to see why its not working again. Your temp gage might be a faulty sending unit not giving signal to the gauge, that can be tested pretty easy as well...get yourself a manual if you intend to do your own repairs, everything your looking for and how to test things are in the book.

I had a similiar problem with my CSVT 98 with the speakers. they didnt work. With the radio out of the car, but conncted to power, gound and remote, I connected a set of speaker wires to each of the speakers and all the speakers worked, and all the leads off the radio transmitted a signal. I followed the wires to a small underdash amplifier that had no ohms (it was bad), I bypassed the amp by determining the speaker leads and all is well. It isnt quite as loud, but they all work, fade, balance etc. I am not sure if your model will have the same thing, but after you check the simple stuff ie, ground, power, etc, check the amp. Good luck, hope this helps.