Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-92
Now that I no longer have any problem with my lights strobing and dimming my 2000 cougar (automatic) has thrown another problem at me.
While being parked in my driveway and without any prior indication of a potential problem I suddenly do not have reverse. Back up lights come on, but just won't move. I have all forward gears and movement. Fluid is fine, parking brake is off etc.
How does reverse just stop working while parked in a driveway???
I received help here before and would appreciate any help or ideas anyone can offer of what this problem might be and/or how to fix it- hopefully not a new transmission either as I just can't afford one right now.
I thought maybe the winter driving (been many winter storms here lately) had something froze up, but thawing every bit of ice and snow off the car did nothing except get the garage floor all wet.
Any suggestions appreciated! You can email me at windsor643@yahoo.com.
I have a 2000 cougar owned it for almost a year and I put a upgraged svt intake with the fuel in jnectors in and it ran fine for awhile. now my car is backfiring, had to put 1 1/2 quarts of oil in it today, ran alittle better, but I have oil coming out of the tailpipe, which the smoke is blue, but it aint bad and my car don't seem to be running right and when I had a shop hook it up cause of my engine light coming on they said the computer read 20 sensors out and that can't be right so could anybody help me out, it sputters and backfires and jerks, but I know it isn't bad gas, I've done went throught that
so help please.
My lord I feel sorry for all of you. I have a 2000 cougar bought new in 2000. I ve had this car goin on 8 years now, and 160,000 hard, fast miles. I had the fuel thing fixed off the recall back in 2004 I think. Never another problem till now, which is the light dimming thing, but as stated, that's on a recall and free to fix, ill get to it sooner or later. I had to replace the transmission last year, and other than new tires and regular oil changes, and 2 batteries, I've certainly got my money out of the car. I do have a part to fix the air conditioner, the clutch finally died on it, just haven't worried about that either LOL, come to think of it, had blown cold all these years, and has never even been re-charged with freon! I'm gonna drive this baby till it can't drive any more. I have friends that have had their cougar in the shop more than on the road, but, I guess I'm a lucky one... The car has never been baby'd by any means, am a country girl, this car has been all over our farm, all over the hunting camp, all over the beach... I love my carrrrrrrrrrrrr!
I own a 2000 mercury cougar I just got with 108 miles my battery gage flickers I think is my alternator I replaced the battery this car has no other recall than the fuel pump something is draining the battery out any ideas.
I also have a 2000 mercury cougar v6/2.5. I am having a problem with my lights flickering. Also, when I turn it on it starts surging and sometimes it will even shut off if I don't press the gas pedal--EVEN when I am driving! I replaced the battery. Any ideas?? I took it to the shop and they couldn't help me, no1 knows whats wrong!
I have a 2000 mercury cougar,, love the car, but too many problems. Lights flickering with battery light,,, sunroof off track,, driver side window (first replaced switch,, now the window motor is bad) I guess some of the problems are common for any car.. as for the light problom,, that's a recall due to the battery cable being misrouted and its attachments to the alternator cable being under- torqued. IF YOU HAVE THIS CALL 1-800-392-3673 with your vin # and they can tell you where to go to get it fixed,, at no charge.. Other than the small things above,, no major $$ spent yet, the car has 90,000 miles and I have no plans of getting rid of the car soon.. thanks, hope The 800 # helps those of you with any other questions.
Hello All Cougar Owners,
I had also bought my cougar brand new 2000, I have 39,000 miles on it, sunroof was fixed once under warranty then after that died again... Now my biggest problem I cannot use the remote to get in the car or open my trunk. I know the problem is electrcal in the driver door, but know what it is called, if you can give me the name of the part I need I would really appreciate it. I also have the original battery in there which finally gave out aweek ago : (other that that she has been great to me... wish you all luck in the future.
Email@Lambsgal@aol.com.
Our daughter bought a 2000 Cougar with 39,000 miles on it. It was a great car for about 2 1/2 years. Then on her way home from college, the engine blew! It was under warranty, but the warranty company and the dealership doing the work couldn't agree on the hours to replace engine. We got stuck with a $200 bill. Then car stalled again. The idiots didn't solder the ignition coil and it came loose. Scary situation. Make sure you have a reputable dealer.
I have a 2001 Cougar. I have been very luck, and it appears the 2001s do not have the electrical problems that the 2000s have. I have replaced the oxygen sensor and the fuel pump all covered by the extended warranty on those parts. I ALWAYS have a low coolant warning light, but that is not causing a problem.
My problem is the front right wheel's shock or strut seems to be locked into position. I have an incredible rough ride, with lots of bouncing, and this morning I heard a springing noise coming from that area. Hopefully this repair won't kill my bank account. I'm taking it into the dealership today.
This Car is junk. I replaced the alternator 3 times. 1 of them lasted 2 days, the other lasted a month, this one has been going about 2 months and I've got my fingers crossed. The alternator is located in a very difficult spot for changing so if you go to a mechanic your going to have to cough up about 500 bucks or better to replace it. Lucky for me I'm capable of doing it myself! Car shakes at about 40 miles an hour, has had 3 sets of tires which aren't cheap either. Has had the entire fuel system replace (under warranty) As of right now it needs another set of tires, another 4 wheel alignment, struts all the way around, new plugs, and I've decided I'm not going to replace any of it!! I'm just going to drive it till it dies. No sense in dumping money into this car, this one DOES NOT come full circle!
I bought the 2000 cougar brand new in 2000. I have only 25,000 miles. YES, ONLY 25,000 MILES! However, I have been through 4 batteries and going on my 4th alternator this week. Car just doesn't start one day... then it has to be towed, because the jump is not enough, with a bad alternator. First I thought maybe my alarm system was eating the battery up- but no. Its the alternator and then the battery! I love the looks of the car and the way it hugs the road, but at 25,000 miles, I should think that's a big lemon if I had to replace those things so many times! Yes, the battery is reversed polarity and means you have limited batteries to choose from! Another pain in the... I want to sell it but know Ill get peanuts for it... even with the 25,000 mileage which by now should be more like 96,000! I would NEVER EVER buy another one like this and would NEVER RECOMMEND SUCH A LEMON CAR! They know of the problems and have discontinued the model years ago!
I have a 2001 Cougar and had problems with it not starting. The battery was good, so I had thought it was the alternator. Luckily, before getting it towed I talked to a guy at an auto-parts store, and he suggested replacing the ignition switch fuse. That did the trick and only cost me a few bucks to change without having it towed into a dealership. The brake light comes on and goes off regardless whether I have the emergency brake on or not, but that's not a big deal. So for anyone having issues with it not cranking; I would replace that fuse before having a dealership talk you into getting a new alternator.
Hello all, I just bought a 2000 Cougar 2.5L V6 manual trans. I got it REALLY cheap because it has 187K on it. The dealer was sending it to the auction, but I bought it from him in as is condition as long as it passed emissions, which it did. I paid $1600 for it and I have spent 300 in maintenance already. I wanted things to be new!
I too have the flickering light problem. I also have a problem with the speedometer and all other dash components not working once I start driving and hit the brakes or clutch.
The fuel system recall hasn't been done yet, so it goes in tomorrow for that.
On all these reviews I found a person who had the same dash light problem and kept replacing the alternator (which I almost did) but they found that there is a Technical Service Bulletin about this problem and there is too much resistance on the wiring to the alternator, which causes surges to the system, resulting in flickering lights. It should have been a recall, but Ford is too cheap.
If you are still under warranty, which I know most of us aren't, Ford will fix the problem for free. If not, call your local Ford dealer, tell them there is a TSB about the lights flickering. They will print up instructions to repair the problem, and either you can fix it or another shop will fix it for you. I currently have an appointment for Friday for this to be fixed in my car. They are going to cut the bad part of the wire out and re-wire the harness.
Anyone who has had this done says that the problems with the lights have finally stopped. I will let you all know what happens with mine. And if you would like I could email you the instructions once I get them on Wednesday.
Overall I think that my Cougar was a good buy, because I could still trade it in for double what I have spent on it.
Good Luck to everyone,
Estelle
estlperc@sbcglobal.net
I bought a used 2000 Mercury Cougar about a year ago. It had about 97,000 miles on it, but it ran pretty well. Lately, I've had trouble with power, especially going uphill at fast speeds. After reading the comments, I'm thinking this has something to do with the fuel pump. I called Ford and they said there are no recalls listed under my Vin #. Does anyone know if I can go to a Ford dealership and maybe get the fuel pump replaced, since I'm experiencing the same issues?
I have paid to replace three alternators. If you count the original, the one that went out within a week, and the one I will probably have to replace now after little over a month, that makes six alternators in 7 1/2 years! Fun, huh? I contacted Ford a month ago and they said the recall for the battery cable does not apply to my vehicle. I have the V6 2.5 though. I called today after my alternator light came on again and they said that my car was in for that recall in May of 2001. I had my car in for an oil change that month, but I did not have a recall checked. I am a little frustrated to say the least.