Three problems related to radiator have been reported for the 1997 Ford Contour. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
I have 1997 Ford Contour se. I have had several problems with it, check engine light comes on constantly, radiator light comes on constantly, runs poorly. I had all checked when they happen on multilple occasions. After doing some research on the internet, I found that there may be a problem with the wiring harness in the engine compartment. I was told by a freind that he had heard of a problem like this and Ford was fixing them, and I should call the dealer. I called the dealer and they confirmed there was a recall but based on my VIN I was not included due to the age of my car. This was done at brandon Ford around the July/August time frame. Thinking that I had to do the repair myself, due to the cost at the dealership (over $3000. 00), I started looking for parts myself on the internet. There I found the recall/ext. Warranty info. 99m03 and in this it states 10 years or 100,000 mile. I again got hope that maybe they had missread the recall at the dealer ship. I then returned with VIN and the info 99m03 in had and one of their service advisers confirmed that it should be covered. I then made an appointment for the next day to drop the car off at 8:30am to have it done. I call that same day at 2:30pm to check to see if and for how long I wounld need a rental car. I was told at that time that my car was not covered due to it's age and that it ran out on 10/26/06. Had the first person looked the info. Up properly back in the July/August time frame it would have been fixed. I was also told by the service manager that the repair would take them approx. 3 days to do, and for only gives them 6-7 hrs to do it, so they lose money to do these repairs. Based on the 99m03 info I should have recieved a letter stating the ext. Warranty which I did not, but had recieved other recall info.
While driving about any mph engine will ove heat without a prior warning. Consumer has to stop and refill radiator with anti-freeze, and engine will cool down, then could keep driving. Please provide more information.
Temperature gauge didn't work all the time. Car overheated, took car to pep boys they couldn't find anything wrong, paid for radiator service. About 5 days later car overheated and blew a head gasket. Towed car home. 2000 miles over warrant. What to do?.