Five problems related to brake abs warning light have been reported for the 1996 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Left and right front abs stators have cracks which are clearly visible. This causes the abs system to activate on a low speed stop. At about 40 mph the abs light comes on and the system doesn't work. The brakes work in regular mode. This was discovered on 6/21/05 but had been happening . Mechanic changed an abs sensor wire with a cut in it . Had to look further to find cracked stators. Mechanic said that the Ford dealership he called admitted there was a problem with some models,cracked stators on windstars,offered no solution. I called my Ford dealer and was not helped . A part like this bears no weight and should not be failing. The cracks make the computer think there is a reason to activate and then at 40mph to shut down. The rear stators were not checked for cracks yet. Thank you.
Major harness & electrical wiring which is under recall that the Ford dealership will not honor.
Brakes have little resistance when pressure is applied to brake pedal, feels "mushy. Also, abs light on instrument panel came on. Dealership examined vehicle and reset abs light. As the consumer was driving away from dealership, abs light came back on. Dealership then determined they have to perform rewiring work to correct the problem. Please provide any additional information / attachments.
Whenever I turn on the heater, a/c, defrost, or fan my abs light turns on and my brakes are spongy. I have lost all brakes on two occasions when the abs light came on. When my car sits for a weekend, the battery dies. Installed a new battery, still dies. Ford cannot find a cause for either problem. I have taken my car in to have the wiring harness changed for the lights, those went out. Also, my a/c fuse had caught fire, whole fuse box and blower was replaced.
While driving the abs light illuminated on the dash intermittently. When this occurred the anti lock brakes engaged prematurely. The abs would then disengage and the brakes would lock up.