Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General Troubleshooting linkage under throttle body on a 1999 contour...

Sounds like you mean the small rod that runs from the back bank (where the IMRC cable connects) to the front bank. Yes there are plastic / nylon plugs that go in the square holes on the IMRC arms to hold the rod - they get brittle and break. If you still have the rod you can just use e-clips from any hardware store to hold it, or order new retainers from Ford.

I think Lance (site creator) broke his and had to order new ones from Bill J - so he could speak up on this.

Without the cable your front bank butterflies may be totally opeen or totally closed, if you move the metal arm toward the radiatorr that is open, moving it back toward the firewall is closed.

FYI - a partly or fully open IMRC bank may adversely effect idle, and could (maybe?) explain moosing if you've never had it before. Maybe a long shot but I would fix this and clean your current IAC with TB cleaner before replacing any parts for the moose from your posst above.