2.0

hardly worth mentioning
Crashes / Fires:
0 / 0
Injuries / Deaths:
0 / 0
Average Mileage:
80,000 miles

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problem #1

Apr 172013

Contour 6-cyl

  • 80,000 miles
I purchased a used 1996 Ford Contour for my granddaughter and after a few days the check engine light came on. My mechanic diagnosed the problem and fixed it. A few miles down the road it came back on. After further diagnostics it was found that the engine wiring harness was bad. The insulation on the wires was flaking off and in one spot the wire bundle covering had melted. Research on line showed that Ford had a recall on this problem (99M03) and extended the recall for 10 years. In an attempt to repair the problem with a different wiring harness has proved to be a loosing battle I contacted Ford and they said that they no longer build this part and that they had no parts in stock throughout the usa. I tried salvage yards and there are no good parts out there. How can a used car lot sell cars without looking into safety recalls on the vehicles. I have no recourse but to junk the car and take a $3000 loss. Is there any help out there?

- Crittenden, KY, USA

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