Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting Problems! Need help asap!

Hey everyone, I am running into a problem where my car runs real rough and even stalls when at idle...This is all after replaced rear motor mount. Here's what I did, hopefully somebody can tell what's going on:

- disconnected battery (as said in service manual) before removing mount.
-installed new mount, trying to make sure everything was lined up properly
-reconnected batter
-removed 1 spark plug to check its condition, looked OK.
-reinstalled spark plug
-attached spark plug wire...i did have a problem getting the wire to stay tight on the plug, but i squeezed the metal contact a little with pliers to tighten it up. seemed to be on OK, but not as tightly as before.

I'm not sure if there is something wrong with the spark plug and it's hookup, or what. I'm not sure if what is happening is the result of a non-firing spark plug. Would not getting a powertrain alignment after replacing motor mounts affect anything? I appreciate the help!

Sounds like a mis-fire on the plug. Pull it out again and reinstall it - make sure the boot's on properly too (might wanna take a look inside the boot first).

I pulled the spark plug and wire and found that the contact inside the wire had been pulled up. So I moved it to where it should be and in snapped right into place. My running-rough problem is now fixed.
Problem though, the car still tries to keep idling lower, and lower and lower...and eventually stalls. What would cause this? I disconnected the batter to reset the computer, and this didn't fix it! Can someone offer some insight?! thanks!

did you drive the car through a normal drive cycle(normal stop+go driving) after reconnecting the battery??you need to drive it so it can relearn the idle again(which is done through driving)...disconnect it again,then drive it,maybe that'll help ur idle out...

Well, I lied, that rough engine running condition is still present. It almost feels like a "flutter" of power. I'll be trying to do a smooth acceleration, and I can feel the engine shuttering. Is it safe to assume this is a spark plug problem? I made sure they were all seated correctly.
I have to ask, jacking the engine up a half inch and switching motor mounts- would this have any affect on anything at all? This is one of the two variables that I had contact with, and I'd like to rull it out if at all possible.
Does anyone know what I should look at or where I should go from here? I REALLY REALLY appreciate anything you could help me with. I'd highly prefer not bringing this into a shop.

(side note, my o2 sensors are only a few months old...i'm not getting any CEL for these problems today)

have you changed the plugs and wires at all??i would recommend it if you haven't...go w/ autolite double plats. and ford racing 9mm wires...my car runs alot smoother since i did mine..i had a slight stutter in my engine,and the tune up cleared it right up...i suspect i had a split wire or something...yours may be the same...

I just want to make sure that's the problem. I really would prefer to keep the $$ from getting too high. If I have to do new plugs/wires, I'm just going to go stock. I don't have time to screw around ordering things.
I just don't understand why it would just start fluttering after I did this work today. Before, there was no problem whatsoever. Is there anyway I can rule out any other possibilities?

try checking out your engine running in a dark surrounding,and see if there are any sparks,around the plug wires..that'll tell you if one is bad...also did you check all of your vacuum lines,one may have come undone during your work...

and if you do need wires...i strongly suggest the 9mm's...they are far superior to those crappy autozone etc. wires,and are about the same price..got mine from bill at chicago connection(1-773-229-0655)great service,and only took 3 days total to get them(well worth the wait)got shipped for just under $50..

Where would be the locations to check the vacuum lines? No, I didn't see any sparks anywhere.

i'd check the ones around the manifold,on the side that you worked on...other than that i can't think of anything else that could cause your problem...