I have a 1998 ford contour idk if you could help me but maybe you could i took it into the shop and got the alternator the belt /tensioner and battery replaced they told me that it solved my overdrive problem, well needless to say it didn't the button on the shifter works fine to turn it on and off when im parked but after i start driving and get going above 50 my o/d off comes on and starts flashing ive tried pressing the button to make it come back on but it doesn't help it just stays flashing unless i pull over turn off the car then turn it back on the the overdrive goes back to normal but same thing it will go back to flashing once i get past 50 could this be the transmission range sensor???

The Contour alternator is somewhat harder to remove and replace than many cars. The 2.5-liter V6 engine is especially difficult, requiring removal of the right half-shaft to gain access.

WARNING!: ON BOTH ENGINES, BE CERTAIN TO REMOVE THE NEGATIVE BATTERY CABLE! FAILURE TO DO SO CAN RESULT IN DAMAGE AND/OR INJURY!

2.0 Liter engine (4-cylinder)

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Remove air intake resonators.
3. Remove the air cleaner-to-throttle body tube and the mass airflow sensor.
4. Unplug the connectors and remove the cables from the alternator.
5. Raise and support the vehicle.
6. Release the drive belt tensioner and remove the drive belt from around the alternator. (It is not necessary to remove the drive belt from the engine.)
. Remove the alternator mounting bracket bolts and remove the mounting bracket.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Remove the power steering pressure hose bracket retaining nut and bolt and remove the bracket with the hose from the engine lifting eye.
10. Remove the alternator mounting bolts and remove the alternator from the vehicle.
11. To install, reverse the procedure.
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2.5 Liter engine (V6 engine)

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal.
2. use a box-end wrench to turn the tensioner pulley clockwise to release tension on the belt. Remove the drive belt from around the alternator. (It is not necessary to remove the drive belt from the engine.)
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove the wheel.
5. Remove the wheel well splash shield assembly.
6. Disconnect the outer tie rod from the knuckle assembly, then remove the hub nut from the hub.Tap on the outer spline of the half shaft to make sure it is separated from the hub. Use a hammer and a block of wood to avoid damaging the spline by directly hammering it.
7. Remove the front exhaust Y-pipe from the exhaust system.
8. Unplug all the wires and connectors attached to the alternator.
9. Remove the retaining bolts from the alternator brace and then remove the brace.
10. Remove the halfshaft by pushing out on the knuckle to separate it from the hub and then prying it out of the transaxle with a large pry bar. (Be sure to set a pan beneath the transaxle to catch the fluid that will drain out.)
11. Remove the alternator mounting bolts and remove the alternator from the vehicle.
12. To install, reverse the procedure.


Good luck!

I bought an Everstart Battery from Walmart. They have a guide book to look up the battery you need. I have a 1998 Ford Contour SE 2.0Liter. It took a #43 Everstart Battery. It cost about $72.00. Hope this helps you.

The replacement belt is usually less than $30 dollars. It is in a pretty narrow spot, but can be changed with basic tools. Look for the tensioner that moves back and forth. You can usually pull up on the belt with your hands and look for the part that moves.. This is the tensioner... When you are replacing the belt.. a wrench will be needed to move the tensioner and allow you to put the belt on... Hope this helps.

Open the hood and locate the belt tensioner. The serpentine belt drive is located on the front of the engine on the passenger side of the engine compartment. The spring-loaded belt tensioner on the 1998 Contour is located slightly to the left of and below the water pump pulley
Release the tension on the belt using the serpentine belt removal tool. On vehicles equipped with the 2.5 liter V-6 engine, snap the 3/8 inch-drive adapter onto the removal tool. Slip the tool into the square, 3/8-inch hole in the end of the tensioner arm. Rotate the tensioner clockwise to release the tension. While holding the tensioner back, remove the belt from one of the pulleys. Release the tensioner, remove the belt from the remaining pulleys and pull it out of the engine compartment
Snap a13 mm socket adapter into the belt removal tool for the 2.0 liter, four cylinder Contour. Place the tool onto the 13 mm bolt that holds the tensioner pulley to the tensioner arm and rotate the tensioner clockwise. While hold the tensioner back, slip the belt off one of the pulleys. Release the tensioner, slip the belt from the remaining pulleys then remove it from the engine compartment
Route the new belt around the pulleys, according to the belt routing guide. The belt routing guide on the 1998 Contour is located on a decal on the left (passenger side) strut tower. If this decal is missing, or unreadable, the belt routing guide can also be found in your service manual. Rotate the tensioner pulley one more turn to allow the new belt to slip under the tensioner pulley.
Check the belt for proper alignment on the pulleys. It should lay flat on the pulley and not overhang the edges. If the belt must be repositioned, release the tensioner and reposition as needed.

Special tools are needed to get the timing belt aligned correctly. I would suggest a repair shop.

This is not a trivial task. You will have to go through the right wheel well.

1. Disconnect the negative battery terminal and isolate it so that it does not come into contact with the battery.

2. Remove the air intake resonator using a hand wrench or ratchet and socket.

3. Remove the air cleaner tube and the mass airflow sensor.

4. Reach down to the alternator and disconnect the plugs and connectors from the alternator.

5. Jack the front of the car. Put jack stands in to support it. Remove the wheel.

6. Remove the wheel well splash shield assembly to gain access to the alternator using a screwdriver to remove the retaining clips.

7. Using a square drive in the tensioner pulley arm to remove tension from the serpentine belt. Remove the belt from the alternator pulley only; you do not need to remove the entire belt.

8. Remove the alternator mounting bracket and lower bolts.
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9. Remove the retaining bolt and nut from the power steering hose bracket, then remove the bracket from the engine lifting eye.

10. Remove the upper alternator bolt, then remove the alternator. To replace, reverse the procedure.

Fig. Fig. 5: Alternator mounting-2.5L engine

1. Disconnect the negative battery cable.
2. Release the drive belt tensioner and remove the drive belt from around the alternator.
3. Raise and support the vehicle.
4. Remove the passenger side front wheel and fender well splash guard.
5. Disconnect the passenger side outer tie rod end from the spindle. See .
6. Remove the exhaust system Y-pipe.
7. Unplug the connectors and remove the cables from the alternator.
8. Remove the alternator brace retaining bolts and the brace from the vehicle.
9. Remove the passenger side halfshaft. See .
10. Remove the alternator mounting bolts and remove the alternator from the passenger side fenderwell.

To install:

1. Install the alternator on the bracket and tighten the mounting bolts to 29-40 ft. lbs. (40-55 Nm).
2. Install the passenger side halfshaft. See .
3. Install the alternator brace and tighten the retaining bolts to 15-22 ft. lbs. (20-30 Nm).
4. Install the alternator connectors and the cables. Tighten the terminal nut to 80-97 inch lbs. (9-11 Nm).
5. Install the exhaust system Y-pipe.
6. Install the passenger side outer tie rod end to the spindle.See .
7. Install the passenger side fender well splash guard and front wheel.
8. Lower the vehicle.
9. Release the drive belt tensioner and install the drive belt pulley over the alternator pulley.
10. Connect the negative battery cable.

Loose belts.

have you checked your drive belt and the tension pully ? it sounds like the belt is'nt turning the alternator fast enough to supply the battery

Simple, look into the belt tension pulley there you will see a square notch. Invest in a breaker bar,since this is a consumable item you may want to replace the belt every so often. The space is limited but in can be done. Stick the socket end on the square notch a push down. You will notice the whole belt loosen.At the same time pull the belt away from any other pully to release entire belt. Reverse process to install,which is what you need since yours already took a ****.
p.s You can pick up a breaker bar relatively cheap ($10-15). I broke a belt tensioner by not using the right tool.