Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting 98 Contour NO POWER

Hey Folks;

This is really getting on my nerves; I have a 98 contour with 147000 miles on it and Now its doing Wierd things.

1. When you start the Engine, CEL comes on and stays on.

2. When your giving it some on the interstate going up hill
(65mph) Boggs down makes a noticeable snapping sound,
I can feel it on the gas peddle and under the drivers
Seat.The CEL Blinks for up the hill then stops.

3. Ford dealership Plugs and wires and veryified that they are the correct ones.(dealership here wont touch it Had problems with them charging for thing they never done)

4. In town driving (under 40mph) hesatation when comming off the stop sign or light.

I really like my ride its a Ex Main State police car and was re done before i got it

please help its driving me crazy

Went to autozone and had them Put it on the codes and i got

136
141
304

So what does this mean and can i fix this or should i just blow the SOB up. Dont have alot of money to spend on this since im a disabled vet

I'll give you a start as the code definitions I'm using are for a '97 - SOMEONE correct me if I'm wrong!
136 Oxygen sensor - DTC P0136 and P0156 indicate the output voltage of the downstream HO2S is less than some calibratable functional window.
141 Oxygen sensor - Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs) P0135, P0141, P0155 and P0161 indicate a short to ground, open, or short to VPWR in the HO2S heater circuit.
304 Misfire - Misfire Continuous Memory Diagnostic Trouble Codes (DTCs):P0304 - Cyl No.4, Fuel Inj.
So the first two relate directly to the O2 sensor
1)inspect the connections on/to the downstream O2 sensor - spray the plug in connectors with electrical cleaner(DO NOT CLEAN THE O2 sensor)a dab of silicone grease on the connectors. Look for burnt/squashed wires - cheap, easy to do
If a problem is found - correct it and reset the car computer.
If no problem is found - buy a new downstream O2 sensor - install it , reset
as for
304 -Possible causes:
-- Ignition System.
-- Fuel Injectors.
-- Fuel Pressure.
-- Evaporative Emission System.
-- EVAP Canister Purge Valve.
-- Base Engine.
-- Running out of fuel.
Has the vehicle recently run out of fuel?
Yes
OBD II system OK. COMPLETE PCM Reset to clear DTCs. RETURN vehicle to customer.
Best of luck

would someone translate this to english for me please

The downstream Oxygen sensor ( the one on the exhaust side of the catalitic converter) has an electrical problem. code 136 means its not getting the correct signal. This could mean the Cat is plugged BUT the next code 141 says there is a short to ground or open to the Oxygen sensor heater(there is a little heater in the O2 sensor).
So - visually inspect the wiring to and from the Oxygen sensor and all electrical plug(s) connected to the O2 sensor. If there is a crushed wire, the wire it must be replaced. Clean the electrical plug(s)
Then I said if this does not provide a solution, then replace the O2 sensor
304 was the last code. The Ford book asks if you have recently run out of gas. YES/NO? The book explains that running out of gas may cause this code to appear. The first thing to do is remove the negative cable from the car battery. Leave it disconnected for 15-20 minutes. This will cause the memory in the Powertrain Control Module (PCM is the 'brain' of the car) to clear. After 20 min. reconnect the negative battery cable. Now we get into what to do to reset the PCM. The book says start the car with all accecories turned off. Allow the car to reach normal operating temperature. Go for a 10 mile gentle city type drive. If the car origanally ran out of fuel. the code 304 should not return.
This is a list of systems in the car that may cause a 304
-- Ignition System.
-- Fuel Injectors.
-- Fuel Pressure.
-- Evaporative Emission System.
-- EVAP Canister Purge Valve.
-- Base Engine.
-- Running out of fuel.
I started with the last one because the solution is easy to do.
And 'Best of Luck' meant that I had spent the last 4 MONTHS chasing a problem, now solved.

Well away i go ; Did not run out of gas but had a low tank and parked on a sideways hill; Went to start it next morning and no luck; So put gas in and then it ran; The wiring under the car by exhaust o2 looks a little damaged and i will try that. The heater o2 sensor is it located on the top of the engine block towards the frount? goes into some box looking thing with hoses that come from it looks like from the waterpump?

Thanks for helping me; Its about 32 outside and i'll check that stuff you said above.

What engine is in it?

The 4cyl. Well after careful goingover pretty much every electrical harrness i have found that the o2 sensor in the exhaust is junk (as in wires pulled out of it and crispy)
is there a way to by pass it or not hook it up with out putting alot of $$$ in it...or killing the motor. Is there a way to punch out core of the Cat. Converter for now until i can save up for a new Exhaust. Anyone know what that would cost?