Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting 98 'Tour blowing PCM fuse #9

Bumping to update, and ask a question...

I got back to this last night - managed to disconnect the VSS from above, and found the PCV valve not inserted into its tube at all, so at least one other problem has been fixed. And discovered I'd disconnected the TR sensor, not the ATX hardware unit, so did that correctly this time as well.

Unfortunately, neither VSS nor ATX hardware unit was the cause of the short. So... time to trace the harness

Question -- So now that I have to start unwrapping splices and such to trace the PCM power relay wire, what should I use to rewrap the bundles? I've never had good luck with regular electrical tape, the adhesive softens in the heat. Are there high-temp tapes or some other product?

And as always, any hints or tips are appreciated.

Update, and a question on splice locations.

Weather, work, and other obligations have finally allowed me to return to this...

Where is S59, and S178, on a 98 Contour ATX V6?
The Ford Service CD says "S59 engine compartment - center", and "S178 - engine". Any Ford techs know where those are? Do I need to remove the UIM, or get to them from underneath?

If so, I'm going to have to find some friends to help me push it up onto the driveway, don't want to do that in the street.

Thanks!

Did you pull the PCM connector? See if the short goes away. I will take a look at my 1995 electrical manual which is similar to the 1998. It might be worth getting the 1998 Ford Service books, and/or Alldatadiy.com online information. See if there is a 1998 Ford electrical and main manual, on eBay. The CD has a lot of information, but the books are easier to navigate. Check this topic tomorrow afternoon..

I have the 98 EVTM hard copy. It is as big a piece of crap as is the CD version in terms of usability..... Don't waste time or money on it if you already have the CD.

It must be for 1998 they messed up what I find are useful diagrams in the 1995 version.

Thanks for the responses guys.

I've managed to narrow down the search though - it's in the harness somewhere south of C3001 - the large black plastic connector mounted on the driver side strut tower - but it's north of C120 - one of the connectors on rear passenger side valve cover, near the strut tower. So it's somewhere in the harness that connects the EVR solenoid / PCM / MAF / VSS / C645 (tranny hardware unit). Which runs behind/below the engine

The only splices on this part of the harness are S59, and S178, but for some reason the service manuals (while giving location diagrams for every component and connector) don't give a location for the splices beyond the text description I quoted. I'm guessing S59 isn't too far from the C3001 connector, since the MAF power comes off that splice, and I suspect S178 is down low to the rear, since the VSS and hardware tranny unit power come off that one.

At least knowing it's north of C120 means I don't have to pull the UIM and look at the injector harness.

I have pulled the PCM connector, and the short to ground remains. I disconnect C3001 and the short goes away, so it's south of C3001. I pull C120, and it remains, so it's north of C120. I was thinking it'd be best to start by looking at the splices, but I may have to just start at C3001 and inspect it all the way. But that "behind/below the engine" is going to be a PITA. I will need to move it off the street if I have to jack her up to examine anything from underneath.

So far the schematic diagrams seems correct as to wire colors matching pin numbers, but they did reverse the relay pin numbers 3 and 5 on the schematic. BTW, I have the actual paper copy of the 98 EVTM, and I'm comparing it to a 97 service CD.

I have a PCM new from a dealer for sale. PM me if you are interested!

It sounds like you are close to finding your problem
Hope it's running before the weekend!