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I'm wondering if the dealer just split the 1380 code to make it appear even worse than the 1300 he wants to fiw it.
Does that price seem a bit expensive? Isn't there some room for adjustment before replacement?
threedub@
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Is your CEL light still no? If so, get it read for FREE at Autozone. If you don't have an Autozone, then get it read somewhere else, but make sure that you are standing there when they do it and show you the code. Otherwise, you will have to just take their word for it (and we know how that can go).
Once you get the CEL read, then post it here.
If CA is like VA, then you should have a little while to get the car fixed for the emissions inspection. I believe that here in VA they will give you up to 30 days or so before you will be officially driving illegally.
As far as trying to bypass the CEL, I don't think that it will work.
96 Contour SE
Duratec V6 24-valve 2.5L ATX
108,000 mi.
Replaced: crankshaft w/ DMD, EGR valve (clogged), EVR, DPFE, PCV valve, evap emissions hose & tube (cracked), window regulator (broken), LH & RH PCV tubes, UIM gasket (leak), ignition coil
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Joined: Oct 2002
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This being California, nothing is free. Even free advice is $34.99 now.
No way to wire it open or just wiggle the wires back together? The wife
loves the car, but I want to sell it to the first Mercedes that runs a red light.
threedub@
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Joined: Oct 2002
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I unhooked the -battery term and waited 10 minutes.
Light came back on in 7 miles. I found a disconnected
vacuum hose next to battery. Hooks up to canister on
front of engine, driver's side. Long enough to reach to
battery hold-down bolt. Looked everywhere for a connection.
Also a disconnected ground strap? clipped to hood hinge.
Any thoughts on these two items? Is vac hose a possible
cause for VCT malfunction CEL? Or ground strap?
Thanks everyone for your suggestions.......3dub
threedub@
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 667
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threedub: What is the CEL that you are currently receiving?
96 Contour SE
Duratec V6 24-valve 2.5L ATX
108,000 mi.
Replaced: crankshaft w/ DMD, EGR valve (clogged), EVR, DPFE, PCV valve, evap emissions hose & tube (cracked), window regulator (broken), LH & RH PCV tubes, UIM gasket (leak), ignition coil
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Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 95
CEG\'er
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Don't believe all the codes you receive are genuine. You could have a computer malfunction or the 'technicians' providing the info do not know what they are doing. If your engine does not have the part the code is complaining about then the OBD system is suspect. The problems with CELs (MIL instances)on the Contour seem to be extremely frequent. I think you need to get independent advice from more than one shop to make any kind of rational judgement.
After you get it fixed sell it and buy a vehicle that is old enough not to require emissions testing if that is an option in your area or at least one that that is not prevented from operation legally by some stupid light.
The amount of money that Ford wants to pump into keeping relatively new Contours alive could more than keep an older classier vehicle than the Contour in near new condition with a much lower purchase price. I have had numerous CELs over the last 2 years and remedying one only seems to get the car ready for the next one. Emissions wise the Contour is so fragile that I suspect the CEL limits for many of the trivial problems are set very sensitive. I have commented on the cat design (pretty poor) and engine management features before. In my opinion the Contour like many Fords before it has not proven to be very robust. The programming from my point of view is suspect
BTW the vacuum line near the battery is likely a breather tube.
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I personally don't know if the Variable Cam timing is supposed to be on our engine or not. We were told by the Ford Service Advisor at S&C Ford in San Francisco that it was usually found on 6 & 8 cylinder engines. This car began its life in Hawaii. It is now in California and we can't get any straight answers from anyone, other than it will be "about $1300." That is too much to pay to find out if we need a transmission, which is all the ser. man. is willing to commit to. The transmission is working great even on the hills in SF. I am making an appointment with the smog referee to have them look. The law says you have to spend $450.0 before you have a right to see them. Round and round and round we go until we've wasted all our dough, It won't be long.....
threedub@
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Originally posted by threedub:
I personally don't know if the Variable Cam timing is supposed to be on our engine or not. We were told by the Ford Service Advisor at S&C Ford in San Francisco that it was usually found on 6 & 8 cylinder engines. This car began its life in Hawaii. It is now in California and we can't get any straight answers from anyone, other than it will be "about $1300." That is too much to pay to find out if we need a transmission, which is all the ser. man. is willing to commit to. The transmission is working great even on the hills in SF. I am making an appointment with the smog referee to have them look. The law says you have to spend $450.0 before you have a right to see them. Round and round and round we go until we've wasted all our dough, It won't be long.....
I don't see why they are trying to sell you a new transmission, or what a thermostat, transmission fill had to do with it. The fact that they even sold you a tranny filter change is highly suspect, as the automatics aren't really a service item.
Late-model Zetecs DO have VCT on the exhaust cam for emissions reasons only. This allows Ford to eliminate the PCV valve, thereby avoiding the costly replacement (free for you) at 60k miles.
Your best bet is to get these codes pulled somewhere neutral, either AutoZone or an independent shop and post them here. Your dealer sounds like a scam unfortunately.
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Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653
I have no life
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I have no life
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 21,653 |
FORD told you that VCT isn't normally on 4cyl!?!?!? they made the engine, it's on all 98+ zetecs (your engine). Ford is crazy, take it somewhere else, that vac line could easily be causing your trouble, find where it goes (i have no idea). The only engines I know any type of VCT to be on is 98+ zetecs, honda's vtecs, nissan's newer 4cyls,etc. I know of no 6 or 8 cyl (not saying they don't exist) that has any type of VCT. First thing, stop goind to Ford, they're just gonna rip you off, find a good mechanic, and find where that hose goes.
98.5 SVT
91 Escort GT (almost sold)
96 ATX Zetec (i brake to watch you swerve)
FS: SVT rear sway bar
WTB: Very cheap beater
CEG Dragon Run - October 13-15
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Originally posted by Kremithefrog:
I know of no 6 or 8 cyl (not saying they don't exist) that has any type of VCT. First thing, stop goind to Ford, they're just gonna rip you off, find a good mechanic, and find where that hose goes.
Just FYI, VCT is everywhere especially on high-end cars. BMW has VANOS found in all their late-model engines (all I6s and V8s). Porsche has Variocam on its boxer-6s. Jaguar also uses variable cam timing for performance. Etc etc etc...
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