12.6V is a fully charged battery (there are 6 cells 2.1V each) After driving a car for a while it builds up a "surface charge" which can range I think like 13.9-15.9, Also I am not sure if this makes a difference but on all ford vehicles after you shut off the car cetain modules will still read outside temp, engine coolant temp etc... obvisouly flowing small amounts of electrcity there for you cannot do a parastic darw test on a ford untill the car has been shut off for 45 min. Like I said I am not sure if that will affect a battery voltage test to much. But to get rid of a surface charge turn the car off and leave the headlights on for one minute, turn them off then check your voltage. 12.2V is a dead battery the car will not start but you can charge it. After you turn on your headlights for one minute then check battery voltage and it reads something like 15V's , I am not sure if a contour has a voltage regulator if it does yours has gone bad, usally it is inside the alternator if this is case buy a new one, rebuliding it is too hard I have tried! Also what kinda of tool are you reading battery voltage with?
-Jeff-
