1995 Ford Contour Won't Start

[Writtersblock]

I just spoke with my Mechanic and he told me that after replacing my spark plugs there is no guarantee that it will start so he had another mechanic look at it and he said that I need a new o2 sensor, fuel filter, fuel pressure sensor, and couldn't remember the rest of the parts. He said that this other mechanic could fix my car for $750 (parts and labor). I don't know what to do with this car. I purchased it for $3,000 and I have spent a lot of money on repairs; water pump, cooling fan, wire harness, altenator, timing belt, replaced a switch to get the check engine light off (check engine light is back on) etc., etc. I don't know what to think because I think my mechanic is not very experienced with fixing my car and now they are sending it over to this other mechanic and he said that there are more parts I need to fix it but he won't tell me, does this sound like a rip off? I need my car to run because I need it to get to work and school...I graduate in May I can't quit school now and the buses stop running before my class ends!!!!

[beyondloadedSE]

an 02 sensor so it can run. Please, take it to a mechanic that at least has half a brain.

V6 or I4?
Does the car crank over at all or does it do nothing?
Are you getting fuel pressure? (i.e. check the fuel pressure bleeder valve)

[Jason43]

Yes, take it to another place. This guy is either taking you for a ride, or is just a piss poor excuse for a mechanic.

[Writtersblock]

Originally Posted by Writtersblock

I just spoke with my Mechanic and he told me that after replacing my spark plugs there is no guarantee that it will start so he had another mechanic look at it and he said that I need a new o2 sensor, fuel filter, fuel pressure sensor, and couldn't remember the rest of the parts. He said that this other mechanic could fix my car for $750 (parts and labor). I don't know what to do with this car. I purchased it for $3,000 and I have spent a lot of money on repairs; water pump, cooling fan, wire harness, altenator, timing belt, replaced a switch to get the check engine light off (check engine light is back on) etc., etc. I don't know what to think because I think my mechanic is not very experienced with fixing my car and now they are sending it over to this other mechanic and he said that there are more parts I need to fix it but he won't tell me, does this sound like a rip off? I need my car to run because I need it to get to work and school...I graduate in May I can't quit school now and the buses stop running before my class ends!!!!

I have a 4 cyclinder. I spoke with my original mechanic who has now gotten my car back from his buddy (the other mechanic) and he said that it runs but there is no guarantee that it will start once it gets cold. He replaced the spark plugs and said that the o2 sensor is not mandatory but I do need a fuel filter (which I got a quote on from Autozone for $5) and a fuel pressure censor (autozone didn't stock this). I am still trying to figure out why it will cost $750 to replace the fuel filter and fuel pressure sensor. I have had problems with my car for the last year now and they would replace something but it always kind of started having the same problems within a few months part of me wonders if they guys ever knew what they were doing to begin with because the wire harness, cooling fan, alternator, etc. has costed me a lot of money and now I still have a car that won't run. I won't have $750 for until May and I need to go to school after work and the buses don't run that late so I was wondering in your opinion will my car run for another couple of months until I get the $750 to repair it. Also, how do I go about finding a new mechanic my friend and his father recommended this guy and look what I ended up with

[Writtersblock]

Originally Posted by beyondloadedSE

an 02 sensor so it can run. Please, take it to a mechanic that at least has half a brain.

V6 or I4?
Does the car crank over at all or does it do nothing?
Are you getting fuel pressure? (i.e. check the fuel pressure bleeder valve)

I have a 4 cyclinder, I think it is starting now but before I took it in it would almost start. I just spoke to my mechanic and he said that I can do without the o2 sensor, but I need a fuel filter and a fuel pressure sensor/switch. I called the Ford parts department they don't know what a fuel pressure sensor/switch is but they do stock a fuel pressure regulator and a fuel sendor????

[Jason43]

What year car is this? Did it start/run before he replaced the plugs?

The pressure regulator is probably what he's refering to. The sender would be the fuel pump. I've never seen a filter thats been so bad the car wouldn't start. Either way, $750 is just absurd. If the car starts, pay them for what work they've done and drive out of there and don't look back. As much as I hate to recommend this, take it to the local Ford garage. They should at least have a decent amount of experience working on contours and wont totally rape you on the parts and labor.

[Writtersblock]

Originally Posted by Jason43

What year car is this? Did it start/run before he replaced the plugs?

The pressure regulator is probably what he's refering to. The sender would be the fuel pump. I've never seen a filter thats been so bad the car wouldn't start. Either way, $750 is just absurd. If the car starts, pay them for what work they've done and drive out of there and don't look back. As much as I hate to recommend this, take it to the local Ford garage. They should at least have a decent amount of experience working on contours and wont totally rape you on the parts and labor.

Thanks for the advise. I did some research and a fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator will cost me under $100 so I guess I am better off just taking it somewhere else!

[MonteCarloChic]

Originally Posted by Writtersblock

Thanks for the advise. I did some research and a fuel filter and fuel pressure regulator will cost me under $100 so I guess I am better off just taking it somewhere else!

same problem happened with my 95 contour it just wouldnt start before i was told that the ECM ( brain computer) was fried the fuel pump components in it, i changed that and its all better now except for my radiator fan doesnt work i have to use a piece of wire to make it work , until my personal mechanic gets his computer for his shop then i believe its the temperature sensor, anywaysi
its an expensive thing to have replaced but it could also be your problem. and BTW if someone tells you its gonna cost 500+ bucks to change the fuel pump they are full of it cause u can take out ur back seat and there is the fuel pump right there easy as pie.

[Klee63]

Sorry it took me so long to chime in here. If you wish to cut through all the BS from Ford and repair garages, I will tell you now what they ( use your imagination as to whom I am referring) already know. Unplug the wiring harness from the Crankshaft Position Sensor, then unplug the other wire (Duratech 2.5L V6) in the harness from the oil pressure sensor. Bring the harness up on top of the motor and remove the tape from the outer shielding. Carefully pull the wiring out of the protective (yeah right) casing and remove the tape from the wiring itself. You will now find that the entire outer insulation on this VERY important harness has completely disintegrated and exposed the shielded wire underneath it, (you will also find that this has happened to every major harness on this engine). This shielding protects the wires underneath it from interfering signal noise which over time damages the electronic components causing erratic operation and premature failure of components such as the Crankshaft Position Sensor and the ECM (engine computer). Underneath this shielded wire you will find there are two wires on which the insulation has also begun to crack and peel. This is a KNOWN issue. When you bring this vehicle in for repairs, you will be charged for all types of repairs & services, such as labor, lift charges, diagnostic charges, ECM replacement, crank and cam sensor replacement, o2 sensor replacement. Replacing the crankshaft position sensor most of the time, will repair this issue TEMPORARILY. But, as soon as enough signal noise interferes with the new sensor it too will fail. Usually about three months. This wiring problem will damage the engine computer over time as well making it a costly repair. So save yourself some time and aggravation, cut through the BS right now and go right to the source of the trouble, the wiring harness itself. Good luck.

[lisafere]

IT's still not too late to have the BBB (better biz) to check the garage out
and find out if u r not the only one who is being played........
better luck next time
and may I also suggest that u get someone to recommend u someone to see
and if have no one to do that
then use a company name
u will save in the long run
and best wishes getting to work and school
I hope the car doesn't let u down anymore....