Question: 2000 Ford Contour mileage: 63,000. I have a 2000 Ford Contour and while I was driving on the interstate (70-80 mph) the speedometer dropped to 0 and the car dropped to third I took it to a mechanic and he said it was the TSS (transmission speed sensor)...so I replaced it and it made no difference! I'm driving it now anyway (only car) and it still won’t go past 3rd. Engine braking in 1st, 2nd, and 3rd. Could it be the computer? What should I do?

Answer: From what you have explained, we presume the speedometer is still not working after replacing the transmission speed sensor. If this is true, scan the computer for fault codes. The computer gets it information from the same source that drives the speedometer. Therefore, the speedometer must work for the transmission to function properly.

Question: 1999 Ford Contour mileage: 106,000. It's 70 degrees here, and my car stalled twice on the side streets while driving. However, the next time I drove it, it was fine. It does not sound rough or shaky before it stalls either, and starts right up after it stalls. I took it to the dealer, they ran it through the computer, and they said no problems showed up. Is there anything I can ask them to check that the computer might have missed? I frequently have my oil changed, but have never had a tune-up.

Answer: If you have not changed the fuel filter, your fuel pump is probably failing due to excess pressure of a plugged filter. A fuel pump failure will not show up on the diagnostic test.

Question: 1998 Ford Contour SE mileage: 76,000. My 1998 Contour has the worse road noise of any car I've owned or been in....my Chevy truck even has less noise! Is this normal with Ford Contours? Road surface seems to make a big difference in the amount of noise. But, I get a lot of what sounds like wind noise all the time?

Answer: Try placing masking tape around the door opening, one at a time. If there is a faulty seal, you will find it using this method. As far a being normal for Ford Contours, we have not heard of any particular complaints in this area.

Question: 1996 Ford Contour mileage: 80,000. I have had a recurring, but intermittent problem the last two winters. I live in a cold weather climate (MN) and often have my car parked outside overnight. I always warm my car up at least 5 to 10 minutes before driving. When decelerating at low speeds (10 to 0 or 5 to 0) a high pitched whine will come from the engine. Pressing on the accelerator will cause the whining to stop. On two occasions, I have not been able to safely press the accelerator, the whine continues, and eventually the engine hesitates and stalls. I have been able to restart when that happens, however the last time it occurred, the car would not restart after I had made a stop (ignition off) about 10 minutes later. I had to have the car jumped. This only occurs in winter, when the temperature drops to around 30 degrees. I have had two mechanics take a look at it. The last mechanic I took it two said it was the alternator and replaced it. That was last year. It occurred once or twice last year after the replacement, and is now doing it again this winter. Any ideas?

Answer: The noise that you are hearing is from the idle speed control motor. The stalling is probably your fuel pump.

Question: 1999 Ford Contour, Automatic mileage 15,000. Several times when I have driven (slowly) through a small puddle of water it has stalled. I had to pull over and wait a minute or two and it restarted. Then, just recently, when it was raining the car lost power steering for about 5 to 10 seconds -- then it was back. This has happened twice. It also has developed a squeal that lasts only about 5 to 10 seconds when driving over pavement that is wet (although not through a "puddle"). Any suggestions as to what this could be. I bought the car in the states, but I'm in Germany now and would like to go into the German dealer for the warranty work with some kind of idea as to what the problem may be. I sure need to get it fixed as these small village streets, not to mention the Autobahn, are not the place to be without power steering.

Answer: Your described symptoms would indicate that the power steering belt is getting wet and slipping. This would explain the lack of power steering assist and the squeal. You may have to replace the belt because once they slip and glaze over, they would have to over tightened to prevent further slipping which would shorten the life of the various components driven by the belt.

Question: 1998 Ford Contour mileage: 73,300.  Hey guys.  My Contour has had what feels like a "missing" problem for the past several months.   Between the speeds of 45-65 mph, the car will "miss" on gradual acceleration.  Additionally, the car sometimes stutters on acceleration after a stop.  Both of these problems are erratic (some times it seems like I'm not going to make it to where I'm going, and other times I can go days without a problem).  I have taken the car to Ford several times, but each time they insist that no codes have been set, and that they cannot duplicate the problem.  I took the mechanic on a test drive myself, but (of course) the car ran fine.  Coincidentally, my extended warranty is almost up.  I get the feeling that Ford is putting me off until my warranty is up.  I have another appt. with Ford for March 18th, because these problems are getting worse.  I realize that many things could probably cause the symptoms I've described, but I'm completely without options in the face of Ford's denial of any problem.  Either my car was assembled on an Indian burial ground or it has a mystery problem that doesn't show up on Ford's computer.  Any advice you could give me would be greatly appreciated.

Answer: Check the fuel pump pressure, your fuel pump may be failing. If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem.  Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc.  Also, replace the oxygen sensor.  In addition, service the fuel injection system.  Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages.  Although some manufacturers recommend 100,000 miles between tune-ups, we have found that many cars need tune-ups before the magic number.

Question: 1995 Ford Contour mileage: 80,000.  My Contour 5-speed makes a grinding noise at times from the front wheels.  At first, it only grinded as we turned to the left.  Now it sounds terrible all the time.  I thought it might be a brake dragging, but it is not.  My mechanic told me to drive it until it gets worse.  It has!  I thought it might be the clutch, but it grinds whether clutch is out or depressed.  Help before it gets even worse and I can’t hear the radio.   Thanks, pat

Answer: Check the CV joints; it sounds like one or both may be failing.

Question: 1997 Ford Contour mileage: 48,000.  My car has lost the power to maintain speed on an incline.  When traveling 75 mph the car will slowly lose speed and will not speed back up until going downhill.  I hear a high-pitched whistle as long as I accelerate.  The check engine light comes on infrequently.  The car feels labored at low speeds as well.

Answer: Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not “plugged” or restricted. Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the mal functioning components.

Question: 1997 Ford Contour, mileage: 80,500. Just today, I noticed a howling noise coming from the air intake. The noise does not occur until the engine is in the 3500-4000 RPM range. Once the noise starts, it continues at any RPM. Pitch stays constant. If the noise begins and the gas pedal is released the engine stalls. Engine always re-starts, and keeping light pressure on the accelerator will keep engine running. Plugs and Wires have been replaced, along with air filter and a visual inspection of the air intake up to throttle body. Howl pinpointed to between air box and intake manifold. Sounds just like someone blowing across a coke bottle.

Answer: Remove the IAC (idle air control) motor. Replace it with a new one and the problem should be solved.

Question: 1998 Ford Contour 50,100 miles. My car has been in and out for different problems but the current problem has stomped me. I was driving the car the whole day then, all of a sudden, I parked my car and got back in to start and I accidentally overstated. I just turned it off and tried to restart but it would not. Like a dummy, I replaced the battery but all the engine would do is click continuously. Now think it could be the starter but I do not know. I just replaced the head and gasket and the plugs were replaced. It is one thing after another...Help.

Answer: From what you describe, the problem sounds like a bad starter. Have it tested before you replace it.

Question: 1996 Ford Contour, 99,000 miles. About a month ago I had a leaking tire fixed and asked that the tires be rotated. From the moment that I drove the car off the repair lot, it has been making a funny knocking noise while I am coasting. While idling and accelerating, the car sounds fine. Is there any chance that there could be something wrong with the way the tires were put on or is it an engine problem? The car had just had a full oil change shortly before the tire work was done and it only has 99,000 miles on it.

Answer: Yes. The wheel lug nuts may not be properly tightened. If the lug nuts are tight, you may want to try rotating the tires back to their original position