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It is quite possible in a 1996 Mercury Cougar, that when the dashboard instruments all quit at once, there is a fuse that has been blown. Most of the gauges in the dash run off the same fuse in most vehicles.
by licking stuff
http://www.wooddashexperts.com/customer/home.php?cat=2130 lot of dash kits for mercury & ford
The 1999 Mercury Cougar OBD 2 port is under driver side dash left of steering column
The 2000 Mercury Cougar OBD 2 port is under driver side dash next to kick panel
Under the dash on the drivers side of the car.
The 2000 Mercury Cougar OBD 2 port is under driver side dash next to kick panel
The 2000 Mercury Cougar OBD 2 port is under driver side dash next to kick panel
driver side footwell under dash.
You can view the 1999 Mercury Cougar owners manual online at : www . motorcraft service . com ( no spaces ) Click on Owner Guides
On a 1996 Mercury Cougar : In the fuse panel under the drivers side of the dash : ( there is a 20 amp fuse , the panel is marked " CIGARLTR" )
The 1999 Mercury Cougar OBD 2 port is under driver side dash left of steering column