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I own a 2000 SVT Contour, and for quite some time now I've noticeed that under hard acceleration, above 4000 revs or so and below redline, the engine seems to struggle. The strange thing is, this only occurs during hard acceleration and when I have less than a full tank of gas. Even half a tank of gas produces the problem. The only way I don't notice it is if my tank is full. Perhaps there is something wrong with my fuel pump? Is this the power failure noticed in the FAQ, or something different? Has anyone else had this problem? I took it to the dealer and of course they said they could not duplicate the problem. I find that hard to believe. Any suggestions?  
--HRC
'00 SVT Contour #2450
'98 Contour GL (Ready for AutoX!)
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It is very likely a fuel pump problem. It is not really the fuel pump itself, but the inlet screen on the pump module is restricted on your returnless type fuel system. This is very common on late 99 and 00 Contiques and Cougars.
You should be able to confirm the low fuel pressure by driving the car with a fuel pressure gauge attached while it is acting up.
It would not hurt to change the fuel filter just for drill.
The common problem with the fuel pump inlet screen is that it does not have enough surface area or it is just too fine of a screen mesh. Often you can remove the screen and throw it away. You will still have ample pre pump filtering because there is a conventional sock type filter inside that pump module prior to the pump.
If you do a search on returnless fuel systems or perhaps fuel starvation you may come up with a how to on removing the pump without droping the fuel tank. There is more than one that includes photos.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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DUDE, this is EXACTLY what my '99 SE was doing. I just posted about this yesterday, click here! I searched and didn't find anything (Until I searched AFTER I found the problem and had the PN in my hand). I will help in any way I can. VERY easy, and cheap, to fix. It's not like the engine is dying or anything, it's just gutless above 3750-4000 RPM, right?
'99 SE Sport, Duratec ATX(I'm lazy)
No mods, still love it!
I have speed mud! 
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Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't a clogged screen affect upper rpm power all the time, not just when the tanks is low?
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Originally posted by Jason43:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but wouldn't a clogged screen affect upper rpm power all the time, not just when the tanks is low?
That might be what you would expect, but I can tell your from personal experience in driving several cars with the problem that it usually worse when the tank in low.
Jim Johnson
98 SVT
03 Escape Limited
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Thanks everyone for your ideas and help! I'm not so experienced when it comes to this sort of thing! Originally posted by jocatz:
DUDE, this is EXACTLY what my '99 SE was doing. I just posted about this yesterday, click here! I searched and didn't find anything (Until I searched AFTER I found the problem and had the PN in my hand). I will help in any way I can. VERY easy, and cheap, to fix. It's not like the engine is dying or anything, it's just gutless above 3750-4000 RPM, right?
No, the engine is fine most of the time.. what happens is mostly in 2nd or 1st gear when I am trying to accelerate hard (admittedly, ususally when I'm showing this 'problem' to someone else for their opinion..) what happens is the car seems to jerk... momentarily losing power... acceleration stops, and the engine seems to strain and produce kind of an inconsistent high reving sound, barely maintaining speed. At that point I ususally let up off the gas cause I can't bear to punish the engine like that. Sorry, thats the best I can do to explain it.
I'm gonna have to check out these things you guys have mentioned.. i'm kind of technically inexperienced so it might take me a while! but thanks for the help so far
--HRC
'00 SVT Contour #2450
'98 Contour GL (Ready for AutoX!)
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might be as simple as a spark plug or wire
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does it matter whether you go around a turn and then gas it or does it do it all the time when you give it the gas. sounds alot like the same problem i had a while back and it was the fuel pump. if you take it to a ford garage(which by the way GOOD LUCK!!!) ask them how many contour feul pumps they have replaced.some friends of mine who work at a ford garage told me that they replace 2 or 3 a week.anyway if you are lucky enough to have them test drive your car make sure they put a fuel pressure guage on your car and then test drive it. when they did thid to my car the psi from the fuel pump dropped to 2 psi!!! and so there was the problem. oh yeh by the way this was the third time i took the car in for this problem.
let us know what happens
2006 fusion sel
1998 grand prix gtp(wife)
1993 dodge shadow es(winter beater)
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Originally posted by scainerrt:
does it matter whether you go around a turn and then gas it or does it do it all the time when you give it the gas. sounds alot like the same problem i had a while back and it was the fuel pump. if you take it to a ford garage(which by the way GOOD LUCK!!!) ask them how many contour feul pumps they have replaced.some friends of mine who work at a ford garage told me that they replace 2 or 3 a week.
Doesn't matter if i'm turning, happens going straight. I've already taken it once and they dismissed the problem, i'm gonna try it again though. I'll tell you guys what happens - thanks
--HRC
'00 SVT Contour #2450
'98 Contour GL (Ready for AutoX!)
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Has the fuel filter been changed? Sounds also like IMRC, but that wouldn't be affected by the amount of gas in the tank.
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