Front wheels have been making a thumping noise.
Engine runs extremely hot.
The car has been great. It is reliable and is pretty powerful for its size and style of car.
But, no one can figure out why the front wheels make a thumping noise at all speeds, nor has anyone fixed the engine running temperature. It just started to burn coolant at 108,000 miles, but has never fully overheated, although the temperature meter runs at the high end of the normal range or even slightly into the red. Forget about running the A/C when driving in town or while parking since it will push the temperature even higher.
Does anyone have an answer to these two issues?
About that thumping noise, Is it all the time when your driving, only when you hit the brakes? If its only when you hit the brakes, its probably the brake clips (which are ment to prevent that thumping noise, but wasn't designed good) But if its not, then I can't help you on that issue. Now, on the other hand, Contours were ment to run hot. They all do. I just got rid of mine a couple of months ago. I had a 98. but it shouldn't be into the red zone. It usually gets pretty damn close, but never goes in it. If your is, you might want to add some coolant or have the radiator checked out, before it does over heat. The only plus about it running so hot, is in the winter it had very good heat. Good luck. Hope this helped some.
I currently own a 1996 4-cylinder. I can identify with the motor running hot. Also I cannot run the air conditioner while the car is in neutral. I am also having trouble with the dash buttons sticking and now my air conditioner won't blow on "high" setting. I'm thinking of selling my car and getting a mini-van. Any takers? Ha! Ha!
Hello.
I have a 1996 Ford Contour GL with 53,511 miles on it. Since about 42,000 the temp gauge itself has been broken. The car isn't running hot at all, three different shops have said the whole instrument cluster needs to be replaced. The whole steering thing needs to come off and it will cost hundreds to do, so it isn't really worth doing. If your car does overheat you will know it, your Check Engine light will come on, and after a while paint will be chipping off the hood.
When I run my A/C it actually drops the gauge a bit, but it is broken anyways so I pay no attention to it.
I can almost guarantee you it is the gauge, there is even a Technical Service Bulletin out even for it because it happens so often.
With it only running on high or not running on high did you know that is under extened warranty.
The resistor is very common problem, that is what your problem is.
If you car has under 150,000 miles it is replaced for free at any Ford dealer, it takes about 30 minutes to have them do.
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