Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting '95 Contour Transmission

I have a '95 Countour GL with 162K (yes, I know I've been lucky.)
Yesterday while driving down the highway the transmission started downshifting.
Now at any speed over about 30 or when in third gear it keeps downshifting and making tremendous jumps and lurches. You can get the car up to hiway speed, but when it does need to downshift (pulling a hill) it goes berzerk.
After the car cooled down for a few hours it drove better until it heated up.
Any suggestions as to the problem?
you can email me at: dbbubba@earthlink.net

Sincerely,
Danny Brown

You should just check the basics first, fluid level, condition, etc. Next hook up a scanner, or have it done, check for codes. A road test should be done with the scanner installed and check the operation of sensors related to the trans operation, throttle position sensor, speed sensors, mlp sensor, etc. Hopefully it will be something simple that will not require a trans removal or rebuild. Rick

I had this exact same problem. The ground wire on the Throtle position sensor was frayed. The sensor always showed WOT. Traced the wire for about 15" before I found the break.
Good Luck.

I got lucky!
It was the nuetral safety switch or what-ever the Ford equivilent is. Another forum member had this same problem and suggested I have mine checked. The analyzer at a local (and very honest) transmission shop showed it to be out of range. It did have to be hot to show as bad.
It cost me $269.00. It shifts like new now.


Thanks to who-ever suggested I have this looked at (I lost your email address.)

Danny Brown

If it was the neutral saftey switch,then they wheren't honest. It only costed me $70.00.