Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting vibration when returning to idle?

Sorry that I posted this in the general forum. Like I said, I'm new to the whole computer thing.
I may be purchasing a 99 Contour SVT and had one concern (aside from the terrible shift feel.) The car has 90K miles on it and seemed to run really well, stopped really well and handled great too. A few squeaks and creaks from the interior, nothing major. The one concern I had was that when the engine is returning to idle either while coasting or stationary, there is a very slight humming vibration just before the engine reaches idle. It sounds like it's coming from the left side near the pulleys but I can't be sure. It only lasts for about 1 second. Anyone have any ideas? I appreciate any thoughts you might have and thank you in advance for your time.

Ron
Chicago

I would recommend not buying the Contour.

Every mechanic I have ever taken my car to has told me they are just a junky car.

They may look good - run good when they run... but they break down a lot. And they have a million reasons to break down. And I have been there and done that.

I have had my Mystique (Mistake) since it was new and have taken great care of it. But it has been a long and frustrating haul. Everything from the wiring metlingto having FORD install eight different Waterpumps. That's a whole other story.

Stay away from the SVT.
You'll be much happier.

I have been a loyal FORD owner like my Dad all my life. This car and my wife's 2000 Windstar SEL has changes my mind.
Buy an Acura, Honda or Toyota.

So, Eurythmian66 you would not even consider purchasing a ford 500 or a ford fusion (built in mexico) based on your contour experience correct?

Nope. FORD has pretty much exhausted my abilty to like what they produce.

My wife's 2000 Windstar SEL's trans just went out this past Saturday. Thank GOD I had the brains to purchase and extended Warranty - which is going to cover it.

I just paid this Van off and the trans died at 55K. This is rediculas. I am so disappointed with this vehicle I could just shoot myself. It's been as problem prone as the Mystake. Right down to the body parts falling off and denting like a coke can. It's a $34,000.00 pile of crap!

Never setting foot on a Ford lot again. And Mercury / Lincoln is even more over priced junk. If you take your Mercury in to a dealership to have anything done to it, count on paying a bunch more then you would at a Ford dealership fir the same work or parts. Their reasoning is, Mercury's cost more to work on. HA!!! That's what they actually told me. "No, I think you just want to rip me off. Get out the lube boys we have a sucker pulling in for an oil change!" is what I said to they as I left and drove over to a Ford dealership.

I hate to put FORD down - really. I used to love my Ranger Splash. In fact that was the only Ford I never had an issue with. I'm just tired of burning my cash on something that's going to have another problem a week down the road. I can't wait to get out from under these vehicles. Got to wait for the wife to finish school in December. Then it's Hello Acura TL!

I've owned
(first car)
'69 Mercury Montego MX (awesome car... body parts don't exist)
'79 Lincoln Mark V Pucci Designer Series (what a ride! 460 V8!!!!! Drank too much gas but ran like a bat out of hell!)

(bought New)
'91 Probe GT (Noise bucket that leaked water in at ever seal and had electrical issues.)
'91 Escort GT (fun and Zippy - but too many issues)
'94 Ranger Splash Extended cab (best vehicle I have owned.)
'96 Mercury Mystake (oh my god! What hasn't been fixed?)
'00 Windstar SEL (Too much money for a pile of crap!)

So, it's not like I haven't given Ford a chance to prove themself. I'm just done and moving on to better things.

Man, sounds like you always get the bad batch of Ford cars or maybe drive them hard... dunno

Sorry to hear that you're having all these problems with Fords cars. At least the Ranger seems to be holding up.


The cars listed are friends and my cars.
All Contours bought were used at Ford dealers as "Pre-certified" vehicles. I think that means that they check the car out a little more than your corner car dealer.


1996 Contour GL
120K+ miles.
Water pump, thermostat, Temp gauge Switch/sender changed
at 100K miles.

Had car since 1999
No other problems.

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1997 Contour GL
110K+ miles
No issues.
Runs fine

Had car since 2001

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1998 Contour GL
91K miles
Water pump, thermostat, Temp gauge switch/sender, PCM temp sensor.

Investigating Temp gauge issue - maybe not displaying correct temp.

Tranny was being a little rough between 1-2 gear.
Did a tranny fluid flush and now it's OK.

Bought car in 2005.

-----------------------

1998 Winstar
130K+ miles
No issues
Very dependable van.
Used it to traval cross country on numerous vacations.

Traded in for 2005 Ford Escape

-----------------------

**All above cars have Auto trannies**

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2003 Focus ZX3
42K miles
No issues

Bought car in Nov.2002

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2005 Focus ZX3
9K miles
No issues

Bought car in July 2004



I drive my ZX3 hard at times but I take precautions to make sure I don't over do it. I know if something fails, I might have contributed to the part at fault in failing.
That's the risk you take when you drive your car hard.
I try to do this as sparingly as possible.

Also, all cars above get regular maintenance like oil, coolant flushes, tranny fluild flush, etc.

Don't wait for something to happen before doing regular maintenance.

I don't drive them hard... in fact I have babied all my cars.
I'm kind of the type that feels if you take care of something to the upmost capability, it should treat you right.

I have friends who have also owned FORDs and have had all kinds of problems with them. My friends who own Toyota, Honda, Acura, Lexus and Infinity all say they love their cars and have never had problems with them. Now I do have a friend who has a new Mazda3 who says they are a nightmare... oh wait, FORD owns part of Mazda don't they... Hmmm.

To be fair, I know three people who have had VWs and they are always having issues. Not engine problems - but body, windows falling out or down into the door, heated seats getting stuck in the on position and sunroofs not opening or closing. So, I will stay away from VW.

My best friend is a die hard GM fan. Although he has problem after problem with them, he keeps going back for more. I'm not sure what's wrong with him... he must have been dropped on his head as an infant.

My father sold FORDs back in the 60's and has always driven one until he purchased Lincoln Continental - New back in the late 80's. He had problems with just about everything on that car. It even caught fire at one point. Was smoke inside as they drove it to the dealership. FORD would not stand behind it even though he had an extended warranty. That was the last straw for him. I listened to him b*tch about it for ever it seemed and I tried to talk him out of hating FORD too. Them I bought this Mercury Mystake. He just laughs at me now.

So, all I can say is... if you are looking at a FORD product, think twice. Go down the street until you find a Honda, Acura, Toyota, Lexus or Infiniti dealership. Hell, buy a Hyundai or a Kia. They are more dependable.

Read Consumer Reports, FORD and GM pretty much suck these days.
That's all the proof I need - sorry.

Real smart idea, noob, to come into a forum where everyone has Fords, and trash them. Go take your crap someplace else. If you don't like you car, sell it, and buy some ricer Honda.