1998 Ford Contour Battery Light On

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TASHARAJAY
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hi,

I am the owner of a 1998 Ford Contour GL, automatic trasmission. I just had to get a new battery installed the day after Thanksgiving. However, last Wendsday, as I was driving to work, my battery light started flickering. It didn't stay on, it just kind of fizzled on and off then it stopped. Yesterday, 1/7, the battery light came on and stayed on. This morning, 1/8 as I was driving to work, I noticed that the lights in my console were dull. I also noticed when I went to clean my windshield my wipers where moving slow as well. As I continued to drive, everything in my cobsole started to go completely dark. My ABS light came on and the air bag light was flashing. After being stopped at a light, I started taking off and the car was crawling. By the time I got to work, the radio did not work, and if it did come on you could hear nothing and I got out and looked at my headlights, and they were dull as well. I turned my car off and tried to start it again and it wouldn't. I just get this clicking noise.

I know that the altenator gives power to the battery and I think this may be what it is but I am not sure. Is this it, and if so, how much does something like this cost? I don't have a lot of money so I am worried that I will not be able to get this fixed.
Jan 7, 2006 at 11:12 PM
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DB554
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 35 POSTS
yep it is the alt. it supplys power to your car as well as the battery.You can take it off and take it to an auto parts store and they will check it to be sure.they usally cost around 100 to 150 dollars
Jan 8, 2006 at 2:22 AM
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SHELBYGT
  • MEMBER
  • 56 POSTS
cut the floor out and and be like fred flinstone. like the person said above me its the alterator
Jul 17, 2007 at 6:34 PM

Suggested Repair

Have the alternator removed and tested at an auto parts store. It is the likely cause because it supplies power to the vehicle and charges the battery. Replacement typically costs about $100 to $150.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1998 Ford Contour GL described a battery light that flickered and then stayed on, followed by dim interior and exterior lights, slow wipers, loss of radio and console power, ABS and airbag warnings, reduced power while driving, and a no-start with clicking after shutdown. The owner suspected the alternator. An expert agreed, explaining that the alternator powers the car and charges the battery, and recommended having it tested at an auto parts store, with a typical cost of about $100 to $150. Another commenter also agreed that the alternator was the problem.

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