Contour overheating and idle problem

1996 FORD COURIER
161,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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KINGSTER1999
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1996 ford contour 4 cyl. Car gets hot. Mechanic friend told her it was the sensor and then that it was the connector on the sensor. No one carries it so must be dealer part if lucky or junk yard. Can anyone verify if this sounds right? Car also idles roughly and stalls especially when cold. when warm say at a light it idles rough as well.
James
Mar 25, 2011 at 2:08 AM
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CARADIODOC
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Can't say specifically about your car but Ford does have way more trouble with coolant temperature sensors than all other brands combined. It's actually fairly common. As for the connector, it's rare to have one that you can't pick the terminals to tighten them so they make better contact if they're loose, but it will have to be replaced if the terminals are corroded. Chrysler has replacement terminals for all of their connectors. GM has their kits too but like all GM parts they are very expensive. I would be surprised if Ford doesn't have similar repair kits. Also, the auto parts stores have entire catalogs of just replacement connectors for every imaginable car brand and model. I prefer snipping them off of cars in the salvage yard. You'll end up with the same thing as a new connector and it should work fine if it wasn't previously damaged by rough handling or corrosion.
Mar 25, 2011 at 2:24 AM
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KINGSTER1999
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Thank you. I will check the auto wrecking yard.
Mar 26, 2011 at 12:55 AM
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