I have a 98 Ford Contour SVT. I had a new battery, alternator and serpentine belt put in march of this year. A few days ago wile driving I noticed that as my car got to 3000 RPM the battery light begins to flicker and stays illuminated till my RPM drops below 3000. Any Ideas????

If I really crank the car to 4000 RPM I hear the belt sqweal. I did notice a little dust within the belt. Could I have a traction problem with the belt?

is there a lot of tension between the belt?

I can bend the serpentine belt 90 degrees.

or twist it.

I can bend the serpentine belt 90 degrees.

serpentine belt as in the belt on the drivers side of the car that drives the waterpump?

the alternator is on the accessory belt on the passenger side of the car.

Yes you are correct the accessory belt. I'm sorry.

Yes you are correct the accessory belt. I'm sorry.

ok, sounds to me like the tensioner is broke...can you move the tensioner pulley with your hand?

No I can't, I have to use the breakerbar in order to move it.

Could the vibration of the high RPM be shaking the connection. Maybe I should check my voltage. It should be running at 14.5 volts, correct?

On another note. I got an error code P0175 engine lean (bank 2). A wile back. Ist that the front sensor or the back sensor?

No I can't, I have to use the breakerbar in order to move it.

Could the vibration of the high RPM be shaking the connection. Maybe I should check my voltage. It should be running at 14.5 volts, correct?

On another note. I got an error code P0175 engine lean (bank 2). A wile back. Ist that the front sensor or the back sensor?

No I can't, I have to use the breakerbar in order to move it.

Could the vibration of the high RPM be shaking the connection. Maybe I should check my voltage. It should be running at 14.5 volts, correct?

On another note. I got an error code P0175 engine lean (bank 2). A wile back. Ist that the front sensor or the back sensor?

bank 2 is the front of the car.

none of the pulleys seem wobbly?

No they are not wobbly.
I replaced the sensor in (Bank 2) front sensor. But, the check Engine light is still on.

I do appreciate your insite and time your spending with me. I am going to get a bite to eat and will check back later.

Thanks

oh yeah, one more thing. P0175 is bank to rich, not lean. Just about everytime the car throws a rich or lean code, the 02 sensor does not need to be replaced. In fact, its working perfectly, and telling you exactly what is occuring. Its running rich or lean. Your fuel delivery is not caused by the 02 but rather from the pcm, maf, tps, etc. These cars run dead rich in the upper rpm's. Every contour we dynoed at the national contour meet last year that didnt have an aftermarket tune, pegged the wideband at 10:1 after about 5,000 rpms. Anyways, thats besides the point.

My next conclusion about your flickering light is perhaps your alternator is bad or there is something on the coils like grease thats preventing it from creating a good charge.

Alright, I did a little searching over on contour.org since this question has probably been asked a billion times, and it was. :iceslolan

Heres a TSB I found.

"Should a customer express concern about flickering headlamps, wavering illumination of the instrument cluster, interior lighting and audio unit at low ambient temperatures when starting and at idle in the first few minutes after starting the engine, the probable cause is an extremely high resistance in the battery wiring harness from the central junction box (CJB) in the engine compartment to the B+ terminal on the generator. To rectify the concern, an additional generator/battery cable should be installed."

Take a look at this thread:
http://www.contour.org/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=trouble&Number=1043318&page=&view=&sb=5&o=&fpart=2&vc=1

The link from neco is dead, but theres a diagram on how to possibly solve the problem.

I will check it out. Thanks again.

OK ready for this? My alternator is bad. I'm getting a new on istalled right now. Lucky for me it's still under warranty but I still have to pay the instalation labor, oh well.

However, remember when I told you I got an error code P0174 (I said earlier P0175, I ment P0174) I replaced the front sensor. The check engine light didn't go out. When I reran the test today I now have 2 error codes.....

P 0171 System to lean (Bank 1) and the original P 0174 System to Lean (Bank 2)

BANK 2 !!!! I just replaced that one !! What gives. "Stupid Computer"

like i said, your 02 sensors were working properly to begin with. If you throw a rich/lean 02 sensor code, your 02 sensor is doing what its supposed to do.

Try cleaning your MAF and see if that doesnt help with the lean code. Theres a how-to on contour.org.

Also inspect for vacuum leaks.

Where is the Mass Airflow Sensor located. Is it easy to get to?

Where is the Mass Airflow Sensor located. Is it easy to get to?

Its located between the black rubber accordian tube on the intake and the intake filter. Should look something similar to this.

http://i10.ebayimg.com/04/i/05/4b/77/a0_1.JPG

Heres the how-to:
http://www.contour.org/mods/mods.php?s=howto&displayid=36

Success, I have my new alternator installed and have driven approximately 100 miles with so far and my check engine light hasn’t com on. I think I’m doing good for now.

Thanks again for all you help, You rock!