Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting I've Cried Enough-Now I Need CEG's Help!!!

Yes I cried but don't worry I'm a girl and thats what we do when things go big time wrong - we cry. Before I begin I want everyone to know how much this forum and those who make up the CEG have helped me. This has been a great resource for me, especially being a single woman. So, possibly for the last time, I need everyone's wisdom, thoughts and opinions on what went wrong and what to do next. I will give you a brief overview.

This past June, the water pump and head gaskets on my 98 Contour (60K miles) failed. (Prior to this car ran perfectly-I have always maintained 100%). Ford dealership repaired for $2500, took a month. Got the car back and it ran terribly! Since July I have taken it back 5 times to get it repaired correctly but that has not happened. In their attempts to repair the car, they have: replaced an O2 sensor, changed a cannister purge valve, replaced cruise control cable, reinstalled return springs, reattached hoses and repaired worn wiring to crankshaft sensor, for a total of an additional $500. Total cost to date, about $3100. Also please note, the original mechanic that worked on my car has been fired.

The 3 main problems I have had over the past 4 months, and continue to have, are: 1-The check engine light is on almost all the time (code 0455). 2-The car dies while driving, especially while slowing down or accelerating. 3-Car is really hard to start, it starts and dies. If I do get it started, (seems worse when gas is low) it is OK once I start driving. Dealership seems not to want to deal with this anymore so I have decided to take my case to small claims in hopes to get my $3100 back.

Wait it gets worse. Today, while on my way work, I stop at the store for approx 15 minutes. When I come out, car starts (2 tries) but won't move. I shift to low, car seems to lurch forward and finally goes just far enough to get me to a really busy intersection, and thats the end. After stopping at a light I hit the gas but it will not move (although it seems to go in reverse). The rpms go up but car does not move. I'm guessing transmission. So, deciding I can't drive the car in reverse forever, I cry big time (thats where that fits in) and finally get the car towed to a new shop. Haven't heard anything yet - not positive it is trans.)

Heres where I need your help. My questions to you are: Could the failure of all these parts (chk engine-code 0455, starting problems and transmission) just be conincidental? Could the blown head gaskets alone cause all of the above? OR could the failure be due to negligence and ineptitude on the part of the technician that originally performed the head gasket repair? Is it possible that these problems could be due to the fact that he might not have put the car back together correctly? Or is it possible he might have damaged something that would cause all these parts to fail? Could all the problems be related or due to each other? What could have caused the trans to fail? (Or if it doensn't sound like the trans what could it be?) I am in desperate need of your thoughts, opinions and suggestions on what I should do next. PLEASE help! Thank you!!

The problem is you took it too one of many crappy ford dealerships scattered throughout the USA. I need my CEL checked out and I plan on driving 30 minutes to get to a decent dealership to get it looked at if I decide to not try fixing it myself. I have no idea what your problem is exactly, but it doesn't sound good.

code p0455 is a (evaporative emission control system leak detected gross leak)the system has tubes that run from the back of the car to the front,if the car was on a lift one of the tubes could have been damaged.or they didint hook some stuff up,or there could have been some damage when they changed the headgaskets.
did you get this code after they worked on it?
im asumeing you have a v6 car, on the v6 the system empties into the pcv valve if there is a leak in the system you will get extra unmeterd air coming in to the engine that can cause driveability problems and sometimes starting problems.
if you look at the pcv valve you will see a acordian like plastic hose conected to it, try and plug both ends of the hose and see if it drives better,
as far as your trans gos this problem is probably just coincidence.
you should post any new info you get, hope this helps

It would appear the two are un-related. That said, I very sad to say you should prepare for some ill news on your tranny.

I only wish there was something I could do. I am waaayyyy down here in South Florida. If I had my bimmer ready, I would gladly trade cars with you, but its in the middle of a re-fit/restoration. (SIGH)

Yes I have had code 0455 since I drove it the first time after the headgasket repair. Almost 4 months later it is still on.

I'm pretty sure the dealership did damage something to cause this ce to stay on all the time. The very first time I picked the car up antifreeze and oil were both running (not dripping) out of the bottom of the car. How could you miss something like that? Plus one time when I could barely get the car to run, a look under the hood revealed a couple of hoses that were off and some broken parts that I'm sure were caused by the original technician who did the headgasket repair. It appears to look like sloppy repair work to me, negligence for purposes of the court.

If you don't mind I am going to use parts of your explanation as a possible explanation why negligent repair work could cause the ce light to stay on and I am now experiencing driveability problems. Can't link the trans in any way huh? Is there a possibility it could be something other than the trans?

Thanks!!

Life isn't fair. You own a car that runs and you live in South Florida? You got all the luck!!

thats fine, if you want i can fax you my name and a copy of my ASE certification if that would help your law suit.
a little advice if you have never sued any one(i have sued three people so far )its up to you to prove your case,
you should get as much info on the guy that fixed your car like,past complanits,skil level,and the reason and date he was fired.
have another ford stealership give you a estimate on whats wrong with your car,
bring all of your receipts,and estimates, and write down your opening arguement,dont feel embarased to read your statement,alot of people get in front of a judge and get nervous and forget what they had planed to say and dont give a convinceing argument.
and watch the peoples court

That would be great. I will send you a PM with my contact information and fax number if you can think of anything else. I really appreciate this!

Thanks for the advice for court. I have had 2 other cases but for 1 I had a lawyer and the other the guy settled at the last minute. So I've never had to present a case yet.

My plan is submit all of this to my credit card company and dispute the charge. If I can provide them with enough evidence, for example your statement along with your certification, along with another garage's opinion that the damage I am experiencing today is most likely due to the negligence on the part of the repair shop, I should get all of my money back. I have all my repair statements along with a summary of what happened and facts to back up my claim. Much less burden of proof going this route and its my word against theirs, or who can sumbit enough evidence to prove thier claim. If that does not work, its on to small claims court.

A ray of hope! What would be the symptoms of that (linkage going) as opposed to the trasmission failing?