Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums General General Attention 95/96/97 Contour/Mystique owners!

If you have not yet reached 100K miles, you are still eligible
for a wiring harness replacement.

I strongly recommend that you get it replaced, because if there
aren't bare wires and short circuits yet, there will be
eventually.

On the V6 engines, the cracking insulation starts with the fuel
injection harness under the intake manifold--you won't be
able to see that it's cracking there without taking the manifold
off, so if you intend to replace the intake manifold
seals/gaskets it would be best to do it before 100K so you
can verify that the wiring is indeed cracking and get it fixed.

On the Zetec engines, the cracking starts at the coolant
temperature sensor (maybe on the V6 engines too). If it's the
type of connector with one rubber wire seal for both wires, use
a paperclip or a jeweler's screwdriver to pop it out and
examine the wires inside.

If any cracking is noticed, report to your nearest
Ford/Lincoln/Mercury dealer and demand that they replace
the harnesses. You may have to point it out to them, as they
probably won't be trying real hard to find it.

Brian

Great advice. And I believe that Ford program is designated MO3.

I wish I was notified 43,000 miles ago! I just did a small "fix" to those wires right now....Now the car won't start!!! Dang it!!!!!! See my "help" post!!!

i went over 100k about a week ago

Anyone know a company that makes wiring harnesses? I imagine that there's going to be a demand for Contour/Mystique wiring harnesses for the forseeable future, particularly as time goes on and more and more of them crap out, and for what the dealer charges for them I think that there's plenty of room to undercut them...

Especially the '96+ models, since it looks like Ford decided to start using more off-the-shelf AMP connectors in their harnesses. Some of those connectors (the cam/crankshaft position sensor connectors) even look like Delpi/Packard Electric connectors (as what GM uses).

Just a thought...

Brian

Hmmm wonder if I should check 98 Mystique LS built 07/97 K.C. ? ran into an issue replacing the serpentine during the DMD harmonic balancer change. all the autoparts I checked listed a belt that was approx. 6" longer than what I had. Finally one sharp cookie said NO that one takes one from a 97.
Correct perfect fit?
Paul
guess I'll request parts by VIN only next time?

The only way I know of to be sure the correct insulation has been used is to apply a soldering iron to it. Otherwise, the two types of insulation have a very different texture and I can tell them apart. (Too bad whomever at Ford was tasked with QC'ing these harnesses couldn't). My suggestion would be to find an autoparts store that carries GPT wire and GXL wire and compare the two. Or check under the hood of any other car.

If the insulation melts upon contact, wrong insulation.

If the insulation does NOT melt, it is the right insulation.

I base this on some scientific testing done with a harness I pulled out of a junked '95 Contour and a harness that came out of an '89 Mustang.

Brian

mine was diagnosed as okay by the dealer a couple months ago....i will have it checked by another before i hit 100k which is not too far off

Thanks qaz
Appreciate the info, upsetting to say the least, the quality of too many products anymore? Greedy bottom line. Ok GPT & GXL use to have reference material years ago on wire specs, who knows where that got to? Hi HI
Use to collect all kinds of info via fellow Hams from all venues. Highstat new name ,now, makes many automotive controls, might be able to jog the past owner/engineer's memory?
Paul
N8BUU

I just experienced with this problem with the dealer. He refused to change the harness (regardless of visible cracking) because Ford policy is that they don't change recall parts unless they are broken. But thanks to the people on this website, I was able to find documentation that proves they should change it if wires are cracked/brittle. All I have to say is when you take your car in be firm, and ask them to show you the dealer letter on the recall.