I had your exact problem on 7/4/06. And in my case it was the mega fuse. The fuse had cracked which gave the same indications as loosing the alternator. IE flickering light, then on steady. Unfortunatly I only learned about the fuse after installing a new alternator ($165)and still having the light on afterwards. I own the same contour as you. The fuse is mounted on a bracket between the throtle plate and the fire wall. You get to it by removing the air box that sits between the cam cover and the fire wall. Two nuts, one bolt, (all 10mm) and one hose clamp. When you lift the air box off you'll have to lean over and look down between the engine and fire wall. You'll see two (approx 8ga) wires going to a black cover about 3in. long. Lift the cover off by hand and presto...one 175amp mega fuse held down by to 7/16ths nuts. I had 12volts on the battery side of the fuse 0 on the alternator side. Seven dollars later I was back on the road. Hope this helps. Feel free to write.
Ray Pokorney
96 Contour GL
136,000mi and still hummin
