I had eacctly the same problem

I fixed it last week

Remove plastic

Loosen 2 torx screws on latch

Push DOWN ~1/4 and tighten [trial and error on 1/4 "

Mine workedafter two adjustments]

1999 GREEN Contour SE SPORT Duratec V6, ATX, SUNROOF, 93,000 Miles, P0420 ON&OFF -replaced DS O2 --did not FIX *New TORQUE CONVERTER @ 53,000-Intermittent P1744 *New DASH at 53,000 and New DASH lifted-now using MOLLEY bolts to pull down