Two problems related to check engine light on have been reported for the 1997 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
The wiring harness has deteriorated to where the engine runs lean and dies. The check engine light came on while driving. Once home I checked everything I could until the engine compartment cooled then noticed the wiring on the number 1 cylinder. The more I looked I could see all the injector plugs were deteriorated badly with number 4 being worse. Just touching the harness causes the insulation to flake off and bare wires to be exposed. I purchased a code reader to allow proper indications of what codes were indicated when the check engine light illuminated. Now Ford wants me to take the vehicle to a dealer so they can charge me and tell me what I already know and can plainly see!.
The check engine light comes on and the vehicle cuts off without no prior warning and there is smoke coming from the exhaust system.