Ford Contour

Control switch on the dash needs to b replaced perhaps?

The tag that identifies your automatic transmission on a 98 contour is located on the side cover of the transmission. This is the transmission valve body cover and it is on the left side of the trans (side that is closest to the front of the car). It will be a sticker that will have a bar code and a series of letters and numbers. I think there is also another similar tag located elsewhere on the unit but I dont recall where. It is important to find trans with same code if plan is to swap out with another unit. Ford idiodically tossed a few different cd4e transmissions in same year cars that had minor differences in electronics and axle ratios. This means your car's computer will get conflicting info sent to it and will react by sending improper signals back to your trans causing a list of probs. Good luck to you. Steve

wher are the oxyegen sesors located on a1996 ford contour

Either the battery has a dead cell and needs replacing, or alternator is defective, loose or corroded battery cables, or something is draining the battery. Look for a courtesy, trunk, under hood, glove box light that is on. Also can be a defective brake light switch which causes the brake lights to stay on.

Yes, it can stop suddenly. You may not have a code set if it failed instantly.

No the head lights are designed different from 95-97 to 98-00.

You can remove it and have a mechanic test if its bad, many auto parts stores will test it for free or for a small fee. If the alternator is completely busted the car will start and quickly sputter and quit very quickly because the battery can't run the car very long before it's completely drained. If you get a jump start the car runs great and once the cables are removed the car quits after a few minutes or less. Best way to be sure, have a mechanic look at it.

- I've found in most situations once the car is started either by jump starting or a new battery is to disconnect one of the battery leads while the engine is running. If the engine stalls/dies immediately on disconnection then it's a sure bet the alternator isn't putting out any power.

Another way is to use a multimeter across the battery terminals when the engine is running and measure the voltage, if the voltage is dropping below 11 volts then it's also a sure sign the alternator isn't working.

I'd says both these options are a lot easier to test then removing the alternator from the car.

Trouble code P0402 means:Exhaust gas recirculation flow excessive detected

I have a Contour as such. I always did all the maintenance on my cars. The Ford Contour is a total engineering failure. Your problems are just getting started. This car is such a tough one to fix. The engine runs too hot, coil springs are always breaking, electronic bugs, and the transmission will slip around 180 000 km. Most cars I work on, I could replace the front struts in a few minutes. It's been ten hours on the Contour.

This is not a Ferrari, it's not worth the effort. Just get yourself a nice, used Toyota.

In the mean time, you can drive with your suspension as it is, for several months.

if it took you ten hours you need to give up on the do it yourself approach

I can do all 4 struts in about 2hours LOL

you put it in the same place your trans dipstick is, by the brake fluid container below it, it gas a yellow handle

Motorcraft BXT - 40R - for the 2.0 L 4 cylinder and the 2.5 L - V6

Check for fuel and spark.

Any Auto Parts store will have on in stock.

The intertia switch is designed to kill the power to the fuel pump in the event of an accident in case a fuel line is ruptured in order to keep from pumping fuel all over the site. Sometimes inadvertently someone accidently kicks the switch or otherwise manages to trip it and it then has to be reset.

A head bolt heater is typically used to help start a car. But you need access to a power source. If this not available, bringing the battery inside to keep it warm, is also a big help. At 20 below, the output is drastically reduced. Spraying starting fluid into a carburetor is also useful help. Heat to the battery, oil pan or the carburetor will make a big difference. Just don't start it on fire.

I used to live in Minnesota, where it does get quite cold. Moving to California solved all those problems.

Its your radiator either low fluid or something could be wrong with it put some antifreeze in the over fill tank while the engine is cool till the fluid is at the max line on the side of tank and start it and see if light goes away if not go to autozone or some where and have them look at it and run a scan tool on the car

Where is the oil filter located in a 1999 Ford Contour

You don't.

struts are a wear and tear item - you can replace one at a time if you mostly drive on the freeway or non performance oriented - if you take your car to the track or drive aggressively around turns then you would like to replace both

you can either pull the hose for it or you can usually just open the drain plug on the radiator

Trouble code P0430 means: Catalyst System Efficiency Bank 2 Below Threshold

4.5 quarts of 5W-30 motor oil

According to the 1999 Ford Contour Owner Guide :

With engine oil filter change :

The 2.0 liter four cylinder engine takes ( 4.5 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 )

The 2.5 liter V6 engine takes ( 5.8 U.S. quarts of 5W-30 )

Beacause it is broken, most likely.

The VIN number on a Ford Contour should be stamped on a metal plate visible through the windshield on the dash on the driver's hand side. There should be another plate on the door column of the driver's door.