Wiring problems of the 1998 Ford Contour

The engine wiring harness which connects to the vehicle's main power supply box has wiring for which the insulation comes off exposing live, bare wires. This leads to shorts in the electrical system which affects drivability (engine runs erratically and affects the electric fuel pumps operation) and could lead to a vehicle fire if the wiring suffers catastrophic failure. It goes without saying that if the car's fuel supply or engine control systems fail, the driver may lose control and become involved in a crash or collision. Ford does not sale replacement parts nor are parts available on the secondary market. The part number for the wiring harness on my car is f8rz14289ca. Ford should be required to replace these defective harnesses.

I own a 1998 Ford Contour se v6 manual trans VIN #[xxx] the under the hood wiring harness is failing there was a recall for this defective part but Ford continues to say that my car is not under the recall the insulation on the wiring harness has completely flaked or crumbled off causing the car not to run or potential deadly fire no help from Ford motor company. Information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u. S. C. 552(b)(6).

Wiring connector that feeds the hvac system burned and melted the connector plug and main fuse block at the point of the connector. This wire was a size 10 awg and is oversized for the connector that it is used for. This caused a fire at the connector. I have picture is you would like a copy.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. While driving approximately 35 mph the vehicle lost all power. The contact was able to coast onto the emergency lane. The vehicle was towed to a local mechanic who stated that the vehicle had severe electrical problems and suggested that the vehicle be taken to an authorized dealer. The dealer advised the contact that the wiring harness needed to be replaced. The vehicle was not repaired. The failure and current mileage were 92,000.

Insulation on wiring harness breaking and falling off.

The wiring insulation on my 1998 Ford Contour is literally falling off the wires. I am afraid to touch any wire because the insulation just flakes off leaving bare wire. This has been occurring for quite some time and apparently is fairly common in this model.

I heard about the Ford Contour engine wiring harness recall only by internet. My car is a Ford Contour sport 1998. The wire insulation is peeling off in the whole harness, and the car is stopped now. Mileage is approx. 110000. I never received any message from Ford. I am the only owner of the car.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. While driving approximately 60 mph the entire instrument panel and radio failed, and then the engine stalled. The driver was able to jump start the engine. The vehicle was taken to an independent repair facility, and the mechanic concluded that the wiring harness failed. His vehicle identification number was excluded from recall# 01v230000 (electrical system). No repairs were made, and the vehicle was inoperable. The failure and current mileages were 82,000. The vehicle identification number was unavailable.

The contact owns a 1998 Ford Contour. The contact stated that the wiring harness and the wiring around the heating unit sensors have deteriorated. The coding has cracked off the other wires, causing them to be exposed. This allows all of the wires to touch each other, which could cause a short in the vehicle. As a result, the engine temperature gauge does not work. The vehicle is still operable, but the coolant temperature becomes extremely high. In addition, the vehicle stalls while traveling at low speeds, such as 15 mph. The dealer stated that the VIN was excluded from NHTSA campaign id number 01v230000. The contact feels that the vehicle should be included in the recall since the failures were identical. The current and failure mileages were 62,000.

: the contact stated while driving 15 mph, all power failed causing the engine to stall, along with steering and brake failures. The service dealer attempted to diagnose the problem on several occasions without success. The power failure had happened 6 times since 2001. An independent service dealer expressed the wiring harness was beyond repair and should have been replaced. The manufacturer was notified.

: the contact stated while traveling 50 mph, the wiring in the engine compartment became brittle and the insulation cracked and fell off due to overheating. The connection to the engine also disintegrated due to overheating and the check engine light illuminated. The service dealer informed the contact the wiring harness needed to be replaced. When the manufacturer was contacted, the contact was informed the VIN did not match the recall for the electrical system (01v230000), Ford recall # 01s22. Updated 1/17/2007 -.

All the wiring under the hood has brittle insulation. Every senor. My car does not fall under recall 99m03 which is should since it is the same problem. My car was built in 1997 and titled a 1998. This is a serious fire hazard.

Vehicle was purhased in Jan of 1998. Vehicle currently has 70,000 miles. Vehicle was taken to a goodyear for tune up. When picking up the vehicle goodyear informed me of a fautly wire harness. They also included that the wire harness was flaking off almost as if it was rotten. The vehicle was never in a fire or an accident. I took the vehicle to another ase certified mechanic for a second oppinion. They stated that vehicles wire harness was of poor quality and that due to the protective layer over the metal wires flaking off it caused a short once the exposed wires touched metal burning the computer. They also included that it could have caused a fire and or worse while operating the vehicle. I contacted Ford and even took the car to them and they refused to even look at the vehicle claiming that goodyear damaged it. I have researched this car and the sister vehicle Mercury mystic on the net and they both have had the same exact problems as far as the manufacturer using a decective wire harness cause shorts and or sometimes fires. I have contacted a lawyer and they contacted Ford with no resolution. Ford does not want to look at the vehicle because it's out of warranty. I have contacted many specialist in field and according to them a wire harness should last as long as the vehicle. Please help!.

Consumer stated that the temperature gauge system was defective. Vehicle lost power, and began to smoke. Consumer was told that the wiring of the temperature gauges was done incorrectly. Consumer contacted the manufacturer, and was told that there was nothing that they could do. The vehicle's engine was damaged and had to be replaced as a result of the overheating.

I have a 1998 Ford Contour svt sitting my driveway with 74,000 miles on it which will not run because it has a defective wiring harness. I am aware that the 1995 thourgh 1997 models had a factory recall because the wiring harness insulation failed. This car is a 1998 model that was built in may of 1997 and the insulation is falling off the wiring in the engine compartment. The car will not run at this time due to the fact that this wiring has caused a problem shorting out. It is also has major protential to be a life threatening fire hazzard.

Consumer received recall 99mo3 regarding wiring harness, recall only affected vehicles from 1995-1997. The insulation on the wiring harness deteriorated, causing the system to short out. Dealer will not fix the problem free of charge.

The blower and abs system were defective. The abs light was on. The fuse needed to be replaced, after inspection wiring harness was found to be defective. There was a recall for vehicles through 1997.

No dash lights, back-up, or license plate light. Took to dealer and dash lights were fixed $200. Plus. But no clock light, license plate light or back-up lights. All fuses where checked and ok.

Cracked wiring in the engine department. All wires leading to the engine, battery, coil and possible fuel injectors are cracked and exposed. Little or no insalation are left on the wires. Wire harness that leads to the ecu is cracked and exposed. This has not caused a fire, but all this is causing more damage everytime the car is serviced.

Vehicle filled with smoke, no flames just wires burning. Consumer received a recall notice 01v230000/ manufacturer's recall 01s22. Made and appointment, and part was ordered 4 days ahead, at that time information came up as a recall. Once consumer arrived at dealer was unable to pull up recall, and denied recall repairs.

While driving at interstate speeds our alternator wire melted off at the connection to the alternator. The alternator, the wire and a 175 amp fuse were all bad. A replacement alternator could not be found in less than 2 days so the original alternator was rebuilt. I have in my possesion the blown 175 amp fuse and the melted alternator wire. This is the second time an electrical wire has melted on our 1998 Contour. It is the third time we have been stranded. Ford has a service bulletin for this type of problem with the correction being, replace the alternator and the wire on Contours with the 2. 5l engine.

Wiring harness problems are same symptoms as mentioned in investigation # ea01001. Has replaced wiring harness 8 times.

Whenever the automobile is driven through a puddle of water or upon prolonged driving on a wet road, the power steering locks up. When this occurs, the power steering remains locked for several seconds up to over one minute before returning to normal. These conditions also cause the "battery" light to illuminate. I returned the vehicle to the dealer in approximately June 1998, but their fix action "replacing a headlight wiring assembly" did not appear to address the problem and the problem reoccurred immediately the next time that the autombile was driven on a rainy day. Upon returning the automobile a second tme, I was informed by both a service technician and a service manager that this is a problem that the Ford company is aware of but is making no attempt to inform the automobile owners until they actually experience the problem.

First day car was bought engine died, took to dealer, and they gave consumer another Contour. Currently, vehcile will shut off in middle of intersection. Dealer replaced transmission, and engine was acting up. Consumer states vehicle has been in 3 times for transmission problems, it jerks and vibrates, consumer does not think that dealer replaced transmission like they said. 1 time for engine problems. Consumer has been in 2 accidents due to sudden acceleration. Front sway bar replaced, steering would shimmy and rattle. Blower motor assembly replaced, due to rattling noise in air conditioner, also cycling switch replaced due to air conditioner not cooling. Left front seat belt buckle assembly replaced, belt would not buckle. Starter failed and was replaced. Engine light illuminated, dealer found loose connection at act. Rear struts replaced, noisy.