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Joined: Apr 2004
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OP
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Well if you read my last post, you know I decided to keep the 95 4 cyl. Contour. Well, tonight my daughter took it out for the first time, was gone all of 45 minutes and I got the call. The check engine, airbag, battery lights started flashing then the lights got dim and the car died. Now if we jump it, it will start, but as soon as we take off the jumper cables it dies again. Am I looking at an altenator problem? Of is that too simple to be the problem? Thanks.
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 2,408
Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Could be the alt, but check the mega-fuse and cables first.
"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" -George Santayana
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Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 92
CEG\'er
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CEG\'er
Joined: Apr 2003
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Sounds like Alt, Ground, or battery cables.
'95 Mystique ATX I4 2.0 134,000mi
'96 Contour MTX I4 2.0 36,000mi
My Rides
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Joined: Nov 2002
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New CEG\'er
Joined: Nov 2002
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I posted in this in another post and i will post it here:
"My 99 contour died this same way last June. It was definatly an alternator issue. The alternator is in a bad location and tends to get salt in it. My alternator was highly carroded on the contacts and eventually started to burn up do to the fact there was arching from the lack of pick up points. The car restarted after jumping and ran fine, but after running tests from the ford service manual I foudn out it was the alternator. Mine first started going with the air bag light blinking, then the abs, then collant, then the tach went and last the speedo, minute later just stalled and I was stuck on teh side of the road."
Looks like you need a new alt. I did mine myself so only cost me 175 for alt. My friend just got a new alt in his Cougar which has the same engine and the same problem I had. Cost him 350 for parts and labor.
-Greg
1999 Ford Contour Lx, 2.5L V6 ATX, 145,000 miles
Pioneer DEH-P6400 H/U , Rockford Fosgate 351M 350 Watt Amp, Pioneer TS-W305DVC 12" Sub, Compustar 2WSS, Whelen CSP650 Strobe Pack with 6 strobes, Whelen Talon B/B LED Dash Light
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Joined: Sep 2002
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Hard-core CEG'er
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Hard-core CEG'er
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yep sounds like alternator.
NEED AN SVT REAR BUMPER!!! pm me
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Joined: Apr 2004
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OP
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Thanks for all your help, it's going to the shop in the morning. It's still under warranty from the dealer since I have only had it 14 days and it has been in the shop once already. I do thank you all for your help!
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Joined: Nov 2003
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Originally posted by Gwanny2:
The check engine, airbag, battery lights started flashing then the lights got dim and the car died
And to make you feel safe,
Air bag light = Probaly a Code 12 most likily (Low battery voltage)
Battery light = Alternator problem
CEL probaly came up after car was running on low volts.
So your entire problem adds up.
Though I would like to say im sorry to hear that, from what I have seen and experienced, Alternator is a PITA to work with on the Zetec (I4) contour. If you want to get that contour home a safe way, put a fully charged battery in it, and do not run any accessories. That should do the trick perfectly.
Also run a Charging system test, take Voltmeter, set to 20V (since a car will not run above 20 Volts in most cases) Charging system should output 14 Volts, I think 13.7 Volts is min. requirement...
Former owner of a 1995 Ford Contour GL w/ 2.0L ATX
Proud owner of a 2005 Ford Taurus SE 3.0L V6 Vulcan 
--Looking for Commodore stuff (Drives, Units, Amiga, games, etc)If anyone has any of this laying around and wants it gone, lemme know --
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Joined: Aug 2003
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Where exactly is this mega fuse located? I've brought this up on several occasions. My alt. failed, and instead of buying a new one I got one from a junk yard that had nice looking brushes (i looked before i bought it and thought it should be fine). So I did the PITA alt install with this used one, and now it charges the battery as I drive, but while it sits the battery drains in about six hours. I KNOW it's not anything left on, I've checked and made sure. So what I want to know is where this fuse is, and hopefully that's my problem.
Thanks!
~Paul
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 44
New CEG\'er
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New CEG\'er
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This Fuse is in line with the cable running from the alt to the battery. On the V6 it rests just below the destribitor and is almost impossible to get to. Only way i could fine it was going under the car and looking up.
-Greg
1999 Ford Contour Lx, 2.5L V6 ATX, 145,000 miles
Pioneer DEH-P6400 H/U , Rockford Fosgate 351M 350 Watt Amp, Pioneer TS-W305DVC 12" Sub, Compustar 2WSS, Whelen CSP650 Strobe Pack with 6 strobes, Whelen Talon B/B LED Dash Light
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