Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Thermostat

I received this advice:

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Two things
1) temperaure sender -to the gauge
2) temerature sensor -to the ECU
Both are located by the thermostat housing. #1 seems to be a common problem - test it , replace it , Ford part , DIY easy all will be well......while your in there 180* thermostat. And all will be even better!

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95 Mystique MTX - not stock
--------- Both Zetecs
'97 Contour Mtx - stock -
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.......but now I would like to know what the temperature of the stock thermostat is. I have a '98 Contour LX with a 4 cylinder Zetec.

This website has been a great help for me but definitely falls under the category of "The more I learn the less I know".

Thank you for all your help and advice.
-Dan

I also have seen the advice to change the thermostat to a 180 degree unit. My question is; since a thermostat only regulates minimum operating temperature, how will replacing it with a lower temp. opening unit cure an overheating problem? Providing the old thermostat was opening as designed.

It won't cure an overheating problem but it will cure a hotter than I like engine problem. So instead of waiting to 195 degrees or so to open, the thermostat opens at 180. In normal traffic,etc. this keeps the temp lower. Also gives you a little more time at idle before the engine gets real hot.

Not to hijack, but I have been noticing while I am idling in traffic, my fan isn't kicking on when it usually does, around the OR range. But if I pull in my driveway and put it into park and let it idle, when it gets to that range the fan kicks in. I am thinking either sending unit or themorstat. The thermostat was just replaced last summer, but maybe this one is sticking. Any suggestions? Oh the water pump was replaced last summer as well and I have heat so I know it isn't that. TIA!!

anyone have any suggestions for me?