My 1999 Ford Contour with 100k died while turning a corner and will not restart although does try to turn over engine. Any ideas on potential problem?

10

Asked by EAS75 Dec 21, 2011 at 09:56 AM about the 1999 Ford Contour 4 Dr SE Sedan

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

This car recently had valve cover gaskets replaced to stop a small oil leak. Mechanic said it is not a fuel issue- delivering fuel, not an ECM or ING fuse issue, suspects bad electrical connection somewhere and looking for source of problem.  This car never had a starting problem before although starter intermittently wound up on ignitiion a few times prior to this repair.  Does have some modifications with an amplifier, high output alternator but worked for over one month without issues.

3 Answers

10

Corrosion on one of the wire harness plugs low in engine compartment. Definitely an electrical connection problem.

1 people found this helpful.
35

DID YOU HAPPEN TO CUT THE WIRING HARNESS IN THE DASH TO INSTALL THE CD PLAYER? IF SO, THIS CAN VERY WELL BE YOUR PROBLEM. YOU HAVE AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM, IT'S BEST TO PUT IT ON A REALLY GOOD COMPUTER. BUT THIS DOES NOT WORK ALL THE TIME!! THIS CAN ALSO COST A PRETTY PENNY WITH NO RESULTS. I WOULD TAKE THE HOOD OFF ( VERY EASY 4 BOLTS) ON A REALLY SUNNY DAY. START FROM THE BATTERY AND WORK YOUR WAY THROUGH THE ENTIRE HARNESS, REMOVE EVERY CLIP (OR TERMINAL)VERY CAREFULLY. TRY NOT TO BREAK THEM. I USE A VERY TINY FLAT HEAD TO PRY THE PLASTIC TAB AWAY OR APART SO IT WILL SEPERATE EASIER. I'VE DONE THIS AND IT (MIGHT) HELP. IF THERES CORROSION, YOU HAVE A BIGGER PROB. ENGINES AND THE EXHAUST GET VERY HOT. IT'S POSSIBLE THERE COULD BE A WIRE THAT'S BEEN MELTED AND EXPOSED CAUSING A SHORT OR GROUNDED OUT. SOMETIMES THE HEAT WILL MELT THE RUBBER AWAY AND SOMETIMES THE HEAT WILL MAKE THE WIRE VERY STIFF AND BRITTLE AND IT COULD ACTUALLY BREAK INSIDE OF THE PLASTIC OR RUBBER WIRE CASING CAUSING A BAD CONNECTION, HOPE THIS HELPS, LET ME KNOW IF I CAN HELP YOU MORE A FEW YEARS BACK I OWNED A CAR STEREO SHOP AND PEOPLE CAME IN ALL THE TIME WHERE THEY HAD CUT THEIR WIRING HARNESS TO INSTALL A CD PLAYER, PLEASE, ANYONE READING THIS, NEVER DO THIS!! THIS CAN DAMAGE YOUR BRAIN, A/C,WINDOWS,ON AND ON. ALWAYS BUY THE CORRECT INSTALLATION KIT,IT'S ONLY AROUND TEN BUCKS AT WAL-MART OR YOUR LOCAL SOUND SHOP AND IT WILL SAVE YOU SO MUCH TIME AND LESS OF A HEADACHE!!!!

3 people found this helpful.

WAS DOING RESEARCH ON 1999 ford contour se 2.5L V6, REGARDING STARTING PROBLEM, PRIOR TO PURCHASE, READ THE ANSWER AND WARNING ON NEVER CUT THE WIRING HARNESS TO INSTALL A CD PLAYER. THE FORD THAT WE WERE GOING TO PURCHASE HAD A CAR STEREO REPLACED, THE CAR HAD DIFFICULTY STARTING, SO THE BRAIN HAD BEEN AFFECTED, THE SYMPTOMS ARE COOL SENSOR LIGHT STAYS ON, THE CAR NEUTRAL SAFETY SWITCH IS AFFECTED, THE A/C WILL ONLY WORK ON HIGH, AND THE WINDOWS ARE AFFECTED. WE ARE NOT PURCHASING THE CAR, SINCE WE NOTICED THEY HAD INSTALLED A CAR STEREO. THANK YOU FOR YOUR WARNING.

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