Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Duratec Maintenance Battery Brand suggestions and cables too

Hey group,

I have been having an intermittent starting problem. I have a 99 SE V6 with MTX. The car has been great for 75K and now this... Anyway, As soon as the weather goes below 30, the car does one of three things, either it starts up normally, starts after a few tries with some cranking 'hard stumbles' in between, or just cranks nicely with no starting.

Anyway, I am looking for a new Battery and battery cables.

If anyone has good suggestions (especially for cold weather) and part numbers (since i can't find them part numbers in the stores here), that would be helpful! I have been satisfied with the Motorcraft battery, but there is probably a better one out there for less money, and I would like to jump up from the 590CCA to something around 650CCA due to the car getting older and going back to live in a colder climate (Wisconsin) soon.

Thanks!

Mikeydo

I don't have suggestions for an inexpensive battery, but if you're willing to spend $100 the Optima red top is an awesome choice. 800 CCA should be more than enough for you. Here is a linkto some specs:

http://www.optimabatteries.com/products/pdf/34.pdf

Mike,

I am very happy with the battery I picked up at Walmart. It was something like $35, and is going on its 3rd New England Winter.

I think it has a 5 year warranty, and has never left me stranded. Well worth the price IMO.

HI Zack,

Thanks, i looked at Walmart yesterday, wasn't sure which size because I just wanted to get an idea of price and types of batteries available. Do you know what part number your battery is? Did they require a core exchange with that deal?


Mike

Hi,

What are the benefits/drawbacks to the solid batteries? Are they as good in the cold weather as typical battery? Looks like they do weigh quite a bit more...

Mike

When I was at Walmart, they actually had a car guide with recommended battery. I don't remember the exact number, but I might be able to look under my hood at lunch, if I remove the layer of ice on there!

HI Zack,

I can probably find the number, but the Walmart nearby is the most disorganized i have ever been in, but if you can get to the number, that would be great.. hope you can find your car under the pile!

Mike

HI Zack,

Just tried the Everstart online battery search, keeps saying they have no replacement for any Contour... what a pain...

There is really nothing wrong with the Motorcraft battery...
actually, it's a very good battery and for $59.00 why would you even want to look elsewhere? FWIW, I still have the original in my 98.5.

hi Bruce,

Thanks, just got to that point.. Found a site with listings for all the battery manufacturers and most I was looking at (Everlast, Motorcraft, DieHard, and many many more) are all made by Johnson Controls and Ford has the BXL-40R (650CCA) and opposed to the BXT-40R (590CCA) i have now. My car was originally purchased by me in MI, lived there two years, then moved to FL, now plan on moving back to the midwest so need to be ready for that. The hot weather is worse on battery life than the cold, so buying one now might be worth it to get the extra CCAs and 4 year newer battery. Even if it doesn't solve my little starting problem, it will at least give me the best shot if the car isn't getting juice for some reason. I can wait and crank away and maybe it will boost the crank rate enough to help.

Thanks all!

now i just have to rig up a new battery cable to have it ready when i install the Motorcraft. The negative is the only one i will replace, since it was the one that kept corroding into a thick white cake, even after scrubbing with baking soda.

mike