Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Temp Gage all the way to right and car not sounding right

I went to take my car for an oil change I have a 98 Countour from Hell, everything that can go wrong has. Today when I started it up to take it the Temp gage was all the way to the right on the red and the engine was cold, then the oil light came on and the anti freeze light came on. The car sounded so bad. I did not move it. Any ideas to what is happening and also the clock comes on and off. This car has cost us thousands of dollars and Ford will not take it back.

Water pump?? Does it whine real bad?? Are all the fluids where they should be? Is it a 4 cylinder or a V6? Did the computer ever get wet or damaged, it sounds like the computer might be screwing up... try pulling you negitive battery cable off and put it back on about 20 minuets later. I dont know I'm just brainstorming.

Just a reminder to you after another 60k, replace the WP!

The sounds and lights you had are symptoms of severe overheating. Might want to check and fill the oil and anti-freeze as needed and don't drive the car past the "L" on the temp guage. (Stop and let it cool down.) Sounds like a water pump as mentioned, but ignoring this and driving an overheated engine, especially with low oil, is damaging. A reasonable mechanic should be able to replace it for under $150. Contours have some common problems, and the WP is one of them.

I'm not sure where you take your car for an oil change, but make sure they are putting in the full 5.8 Qts. (Most cars are like 4 Qts.)