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Mercury Cougar
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Comments
My daughter and I purchased a new Cougar in June.
About 2200 mile later she had a blinking engine light come on for the first time of four occurances in a two week period of time. According to the manual this is more serious that a engine light that stays on. The blinking light is due to misfiring in the engine and it can cause damage to catalytic convertor and may lead to overheating in the floor board and may cause fires. The second time it happen the engine cut off while going done a hill and she didn't have brakes. This cause an accident with a loading dock and $800.00 damage. the fourth times she lost power while traveling 70 MPH. on a freeway. Four trips to the Ford dealer has produced nothing except that everything is fine and they can't find any problems. Have asked Ford for a representative to look at it but they have been unable to do that until the representative is in the area
(Columbia/Spartanburg SC ). Has anyone else
experienced the same problems and received the none help from Ford.
About 2200 mile later she has had a blinking engine light. According to the manual this is more
serious that a engine light that stays on. The
blinking light is due to misfiring in the engine
and it can cause damage to catalytic convertor and
may lead to overheating in the floor board and may
cause fires. The second time it happen the engine
cut off while going down a hill and she didn't have any brakes. This caused an accident with a loading dock and $800.00 damage. The fourth times she lost power while traveling 70 MPH. on a freeway. Four rips to the Ford dealer has produced nothing except that everything is fine and they can't find any problems. Have asked Ford for a representative to look at it but they have been unable to do that until the representative is in the area (Columbia/Spartanburg SC ). Has anyone else experienced the same problem and the none help from Ford.
Thank You
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/engaged/edmund.cgi?c=Clubs&Z=TUGADCt19rRIHBw7E1fItXNEhEz1EjyZ
Well the blinking light came on two more times once when going to Columbia SC from
Spartanburg SC and a second time on the return trip. Only this time the light did stay on the way
back the way Benisem in #408 did. When she reached the dealer’s shop it was still on and they
found 2 parts that were causing a problem, one I believe is the oxygen sensor and one that
controls the firing of the spark plugs. They said this was causing only half of the engine to work.
We will see when they put the parts in.
Blane: I have found out through this experience that the customer support group is good to talk to
but that is all they can do is talk because they have no power except to refer problems to
somewhere else in the Ford organization.
carlady/host
I believe Blane was referring you to the "Cougar Support Group" which is NOT run by Ford. It is an owners club that exists here in Edmunds. We have a great many owners in our club and we also have the attention of the Cougar Brand Marketing Manager who really does help us out with our problems. Check us out when you get a chance.
Remember our long waits for delivery of our cars?
Wasn't untill we got the E-mail addy of the executives in Ca. that anything started to happen, and some information started to flow.
Skip G.
~Denise
Badulah was correct. I was refering to the CSG in Edmunds'Townhall.
Skip G.
Then, since we are of similar vintage, we are victims of creeping CRS.
Skip G.
I remembered what it means, just took a while.
(That any better mzn?)
Skip G.
Got me ...
*In my book, the positives about this car FAR outweigh the negatives.
I wish you luck with getting your problems fixed!!!!
As far as operation, it's been excellent. No brake grinding/squeal, no stray warning lights (although the snowflake threw me for a bit until I read the manual), starts like a champ in cold weather, gets about 20-21 to the gal. in town, and 28/29 on the interstates @ 75-80mph. Plenty of getup and go too, so performance hasn't been an issue for me (although I'd like to have had to SVT engine as an option).
The car looks great, drives great, and has generally been a pleasure to own (just made the last payment, so I actually own it).
So, for those reading these forums, and considering the Cougar, my experience has been generally good, and on par to the 3 (4 counting the Civic my son drove) imports that I've owned. Come to think about it, that covers all 4 major Japanese companies. The cat made me come back to the US, and I hav'nt been sorry at all.
Skip G. (wiping sentimental tear from eye ;^)
It's nice to know we all don't have complaints! :^D
The Wrench: "Service Intervals:
Illuminates after approximately 7,700km (4,800 miles) or 358 days to indicate that routine service should be performed. Check your maintenance schedule to determine the routine service to be completed. Routine service should be performed by an authorized Ford Dealer. The light should be switched off by your Ford dealer after completing the service.
To reset the light, hold the SELECT and UNITS buttons on the trip computer for 5 seconds. The service interval light will be illuminated and then extinguish after approximately 4 seconds."
Yellow Snow Flake: "Frost Warning:
Illuminates when ambient air temperatures are between 0c (32F) and 4c (39F). The yellow sign warns of possible ice on the roads."
Red Snow Flake: "Danger Of Ice Warning:
Illuminates when 0c (32F) and below. The red sign warns of an increased danger if icy roads.
The absence of a light in cold temperatures does not necessarily mean that there is o risk of ice on the roads. Caution should be exercised when weather conditions indicate that ice may be present. Even if the air temperature rises to above +4c (39F) it is no guarantee that the roads are free of ice"
! in a circle: "Break Pad Wear Warning:
Indicates that the pads of the front or rear breaks may be worn. Have the break pads checked immediately and replaced if necessary."
Water spout looking sign: "Washer Fluid Warning:
Indicates that the washer fluid reservoir is low. Refill as soon as possible. If a valid signal is received, the light will remain on until the ignition is cycled."
Overhead view of car with doors open: "Door Ajar:
Illuminates when the ignition is switched on and any door or liftgate is open."
! inside circle with lines beaming out of it: "Bulb Failure:
Indicates the failure of an exterior bulb. The light stays illuminated until the break pedal is depressed after starting the engine.
Refer to bulb replacement in the Maintenance and Repair Chapter."
Hopefully that will help you out. You might want to go to your local Mercury or Ford Dealership and order a manual from the parts department.
Also, be sure to stop by the Cougar Support Group. Our posting boards are located here in Edmunds.com in the Owners Club Section of the Town Hall. We also have a web site with tons of great Cougar related information: www.cougarsupportgroup.com
8-)
I just purchased in July'00, the 2000 Special Edition Mercury Cougar in "Zink Yellow". It is a great car, V-6, leather, special embrodered headrests and floor mats, 6 disk in dash CD Player,Yellow Cougar center caps on the 16 inch aluminum wheels, special spoiler,electric moonroof, and lots more.
My questions is this: I was told at the dealership that there were only 510 of these cars made in this color in America, and that each state got 10, and Hawaii and Alaska each got 5.
Is this true? I can not confirm that anywhere. I have searched the web to no prevail, and I have seen another car like mine around town, which makes me wonder a bit. I love the car no matter what, but I need to know if the info, I got from the dealer is true, or if I am making a fool of myself telling the story to everyone who asks about the car...( Which is pretty much everywhere I go now. People cant stop looking and asking me about the car everyday!!!)
Anyway, any help from anyone, I would greatly appreciate.
res0401@msn.com
Thanks a Million,
Cougar lover
Love the new body kits and spoilers but wouldn't know where to have the additions added onto the car? Anyone have a suggestion?
My contact on the Cougar team at FMC said that a total of 850 were made. The original plan was for only 500, but they changed the production numbers.
RES0401@msn.com
Here are several sites that might help:
www.CougarSupportGroup.com
www.mercuryvehicles.com
If you post a question to "MWS0520" in the CSG, he will get back to you with the answers. He is the Cougar Brand Manager and is always very helpful.
Rob
AKA "Badulah"
CSG Caretaker
at newcougar.org
Skip G.
Elmac
My car turned 2 year old in Nov 2000 and has had the following problems so far:
- Front brakes squealing (got a free brake job).
- Loud groaning noise from rear brakes when backing up.
- Hatchback latch and lifters.
and the worst, most frustrating problem of all:
- Engine light flashing/staying on and very rough running at all speeds. This started happening in July 2000 continues, even after about 10 trips to the dealer. There are no codes - even when the light is on! I had a tune-up with new wires - no luck. I drove with a data recorder - all it showed was misfire. They reprogrammed the computer - again no luck. They have no idea what it is. They said to bring it in when it's happening but, even though it happens all the time, it stops when I get within 1/2 mile of the dealer! I'm worried about the catalytic converter (tailpipe is black) and other parts being damaged by the misfiring. Does anybody have any ideas that might help? I can't even sell the car when it's like this.
I too have the radio that switches speakers on a whim. Though this can be annoying at times, it's been the least of the issues.
The car has been in service three times since the beginning of the year. I took the car in primarily for the Check Engine light that goes on and off regularly, and for problems with the speedometer. The secondary reason was for a break check (They seemed more grinding than usual). The dealer had told me on a prior visit that the noise was normal for the anti-lock breaks.
My break system needed to be replaced ($450), but nothing could be found with the engine. I was advised to bring the car in when the problem was occurring. The next time the problem started I went right to the dealer, and was told the problems were due to the speed sensors. The speed sensors were replaced ($100). The engine light is back on, the car bucks and the speedometer still doesn't work, and no one can figure out why.
The car isn't even two years old and I'm thinking of taking a loss and replacing it, which is too bad because I love the way it looks.
See ya there! ;-)
Skip G.
There hasn't been much activity in here for quite some time.
I am a student and I was recently in the market for a good car lease. As soon as I saw the Cougar, I loved it. I knew it was the car I wanted, but I would like to know your advice. Here are my needs:
1- Good Fuel Economy
2- Good Safety
3- Nice Looks (I know it has those)
4- Little maintainance problems
As I am a new driver, I am not particularly interested in racing. Actually I am getting the automatic model and I don't race or drive crazy.
I appreciate if you could tell me how good the Cougar is in the above 4 points and if it is the right car for me (forget price).
Thanks in advance
1. Fuel economy with my V6 and 5-speed is in the low 20's generally. On long highway trips I've gotten up to 29 MPG. The automatic should provide slighly fewer MPG. The I4 possibly sightly more.
2. Safety should not be a concern, especially if you order side impact airbags, four-wheel disk brakes and traction control. The vehicle has Contour/Mystique/Mondeo (European version) underpinnings that are well proven.
3. Looks are in the eyes of the beholder. I've gotten only complements from anyone looking at my Cougar.
4. Maintenance should be no worse than the Contour/Mystique. They have proven very reliable.
You will find a wide range of discussions about the New Edge Cougar in the Cougar Support Group in the Owners Section of Edmunds Town Hall.
Thnx
Are there any diffrences between 2000 and 2001?
Thnx
There are a few interior and exterior differences, but no mechanical differences.
You really should check out the Cougar Support Group (CSG) which is located right here in Edmunds. Just go to the "Owners Clubs" section and click on "Cougar Support Group". We have members from all over the country (and Canada too!!) who would be more than willing to help you out with your questions.
Be sure to check us out when you get a chance.