Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Zetec Maintenance What to do?

My car needs to replace the engine wiring harness. Now the recall/campaign for my car has already expiried and I need to make a desision. I did take the car for a dianogstics check ($80 each time) at Ford twice before the 10 year mark and they NEVER mentioned the bad harness issue.

Should I:
A) Get Ford to replace free of charge, if possible. (How?)
B) Buy the harness and install it myself (First time doing something like this)
C) Have a repair shop do it for $1000

I'm at the point where I can't drive my car too long or it will overheat. And if the repair shop does it, I will go ahead and replace the water pump also.

Thanks,
-KJ

Well technically, if they discover or you report a problem while still eligible for warranty or recall repairs, they are required to fix it even after your time has run out. However, it's going to depend on what their records say from your previous visits. When you took it in before, was the problem related to the wiring issue? If so, then you may have a case.

Well, the overheating problem was always a problem, just not this serious. I have had overheating issues before, but it was caused by the timing belt, so I thought.

When they do a diagnostic test on the car and notice the wiring problem, shouldn't they mention it when returning the car anyway? I think its BS that you(the owner) have to say something in order for something to be done.

As bad as the wiring harness issue is with these cars, I can guarantee you that Ford is not going to volunteer to replace any more of them than they have to. They did extend the coverage period for 10 yrs/100k miles, whichever comes first, but that's as far as it goes.

Unfortunately, it's up to the consumer to make himself aware of these issues, and push for whatever they can make the manufacturer do.

I'm in the same boat as you are, I just bought a used 95 Contour not too long ago, and it's starting to crop up with some electrical gremlins. I don't think the previous owner was having problems with it, because it ran fine for a while after I bought it. Luck of the draw, I think.

I'm just gonna bite the bullet and take a look at as much wiring as I can get to, but I think I'll end up getting a new engine management harness, at the least. I can put that in myself.

I bought the complete kit from Team Ford for $143.00
Part Number (Kit) Description Quantity
F5RZ-14K289-S4TA 95 2.0L Manual or Auto no ABS 1

As for Time from the TSB, look see this:

My Engine
Replace 2 harnesses and overlay harness - 2.0L, no ABS
1.9 Hours

It took 30 min. to change the FI wire harness.

Wow, I thought the harness cost more than that. How nuch experience do you have w/ engines? I haven't done something like this before and I'm not sure if I have the tools either but I rather replace the harness myself, if possible. How much time did it take you to replace the entire harness?

I'll be installing the Overlay and other harness when I move my Batt. to the trunk.
The instructions are really easy. Undo these items and connect these things.
http://www.contour.org/FAQ/recall/99M03/Recall-ONP%2099M03_files/r99m03r.htm