Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting SHOCKED my Contour dead?

I don't know how I did it, but I shoucked the "START" out of my '98 Contour.

I know I'm a newbie, here, but can anyone please help?

The chain of events in the matter of a few seconds:

This morning:

• I got into my contour
• Had the door still open
• Began to put the key in.
• Heard the "DING" from having the door open
• Door still open.
• Key going in
• My index finger came in contact with the metal keyhole.
• BzZt! SHOCKed!
• Dinging stops
• DOOR STILL OPEN.
• NO MORE DINGING.

Try to turn the key, and although I can twist the key, it's like I never had a key in there in the first place.
Zero.
NADA

No clicking.
NO lights on the display. (ABS, AIRBAG, BATT, SEATBELT, etc... whatever normally comes on when you turn the engine over)

The entire driver side console seems out.

Now,
The interior lights work fine.
I assume the headlights would work but I can't tell since the switch is on this console. Brake lights work. BUT they will not blink when I put on the hazards.

Went to check the fuse-box underneath the steering column, and under the hood, and they all appear to be fine.

So, I can't start my car and I don't have a workaround for this one.

- Berbs
'98 Contour SE

Did you check all the fuses?

Twice.

Everything in both rows under the steering column, and whatever fuses we found in the power distribution box. (the ones that looked similar to the fuses in the two rows inside)

I haven't seen a blown fuse since I was a kid, but if memory serves me right, I should see either just a break, or a small "burn" (black spot.

Should I check them again?

I REALLY think it has something to do with the fuses, but so far I'm coming up empty.

- Berbs

Yeah they look the same now. :p Do you have a volt meter? If so you can check the voltage on each side of the fuses to see if one of them burned up. Sometimes a flown fuse can be hard to see.

I'll see if my father-in-law has a volt meter (I believe he works at an auto-parts shop)

I guess that way I'll now for sure.

So, you think it is definitely the fuse? Or could it still be something else?

Thanks Again!!

- Berbs

I am pretty sure it's a fuse. Try the volt meter first that way you don't have to buy $10 in fuses you don't need like I did.

Do you have the V6?

D**N! Sorry, I really don't know much of anything about cars.

I know it's a 4-cyl.
Is a V6 a 6-cyl? If not, how can I find out?

- Berbs

Look at your engine. If it says Zetec or VCT or anything like that it is the 4 banger. If it has Duratec on it then it is the V6. The reason I asked is the V6 has a chip in the key for security. The Zetec doesn't.

Zetec.

I'll post whatever I find out tomorrow.

Thank you

- Berbs