1996 Ford Contour Hard Idle

1996 FORD CONTOUR
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SWEDISH
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
I have a 1996 Ford Contour that just had the timing belt and a ton of other stuff replaced including the battery, and it is now idling very hard and i was wondering if there is an easy fix to this or what could cause this.
Jun 23, 2006 at 6:14 AM
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TAURUSWHEEL
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 718 POSTS
What does idling hard mean??? Whenever the battery is disconnected, the engine control must re-learn how to idle the car correctly, may take a bit.. there is a certain procedure, not sure in your car's case.. also make sure since you've had work done in and around the engine compartment, that no wires, vacuum lines, etc. have been left unhooked, disconnected, whatever
Jun 23, 2006 at 9:08 AM
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Suggested Repair

After the battery was disconnected, allow the engine computer time to relearn idle. Also inspect the engine bay for wires or vacuum lines left disconnected during the timing belt and related work.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1996 Ford Contour reports a hard idle after a timing belt replacement, battery replacement, and other work. The expert explains that the computer may need to relearn idle after a battery disconnect and recommends checking that no wires or vacuum lines were left unhooked, while noting uncertainty about the exact relearn procedure and the meaning of hard idle.

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