Why does my Ford Contour crank but not start sometimes?

Short answer: An intermittent crank-but-no-start on a Contour usually comes down to fuel or the crankshaft position sensor. The sensor tells the computer the engine is turning; when heat makes it fail, the computer shuts off fuel and spark, so the car can stall or refuse to start and then work fine later. A weak fuel pump or clogged filter is the other common answer. If it only happens right after filling up, the evaporative emissions (EVAP) system is likely letting raw fuel into the engine.

Symptom: It cranks normally but won't fire, sometimes after a drive, sometimes at random. It may die while driving and restart later. Some cars only act up right after refueling.

What to check first

1. Get it tested while it's failing. Members stress that a no-start is easy to diagnose only when it's happening; a car that starts at the shop tells the mechanic nothing.
2. When it won't start, check for spark and fuel pressure. No spark and no fuel together points to the crankshaft position sensor or its wiring.
3. Try starting with the gas pedal held slightly down, and note whether the check engine light is on; have codes read.
4. If it only happens after refueling, hold the pedal to the floor while cranking (flood-clear) and stop topping off the tank after the pump clicks off.
5. Try starting in Neutral if it won't crank in Park; that points to the range (neutral safety) switch.

Likely causes

1. Failing crankshaft position sensor. Heat makes these fail intermittently. On the 2.0 it's at the left rear of the engine block.
2. Weak fuel pump or clogged fuel filter. Fuel delivery problems can come and go. Dirt in the tank can clog a new filter.
3. EVAP purge problem after refueling. Liquid fuel gets where only vapor belongs and floods the engine.
4. Range/neutral safety switch. If it starts in Neutral but not Park.
5. Engine running too rich on warm starts. A bad coolant temperature reading can flood a warm engine.

What it usually costs

A '98 owner was charged well over $100 for a fuel filter that only fixed it for a few days. No other repair bills were posted.

Is it safe to keep driving?

Stalling while driving is a real safety risk: you lose power assist and can get stuck in traffic. Until it's fixed, avoid highways and busy roads. Verify with a mechanic.

DIY or shop?

DIY for the crankshaft position sensor, the fuel filter and the flood-clear test. Fuel pressure testing needs a gauge; an intermittent fuel pump is often easier for a shop to catch.

Recalls, bulletins and complaints in plain words

• Recalls: NHTSA lists no recall for stalling or no-start problems on the Ford Contour for these model years (checked 2026-10-24). Other recalls may exist for your car, so check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. If your car is part of a recall, the dealer fixes it for free.
• NHTSA complaints: 413 keyword-matched complaints for Ford Contour 1995–2000 (of 3,278 unique complaints queried, NHTSA complaints API by model year, queried 2026-10-24; keywords: stall, dies, shut off, won't start, no start, starter, crankshaft position sensor, fuel pump). This counts complaints that mention these words. It is not a defect finding.

What owners report

• In 1998 Ford Contour not starting on Car Talk, a 2.0 Contour died and wouldn't start; a shop replaced a clogged fuel filter, and days later it died again while driving. Members suggested dirt in the tank and a fuel system check, and one pointed to the crankshaft position sensor, which heat can make fail so the computer shuts off fuel and spark.
• In 1995 Ford Contour mystery starting issues on Car Talk, a '95 would crank but not start at home but always started at the mechanic's, even after a week there. Members suggested a failing fuel pump and a rich warm-start mixture. A later '99 owner said his would start in Neutral when it wouldn't otherwise.
• In 1999 Ford Contour Cps? on Car Talk, an owner couldn't find the crankshaft position sensor. A member said it's at the left rear of the block on the 2.0.
• In 99 mercury mystique no start on Car Talk, the Mystique twin wouldn't start right after refueling. A member explained the flood-clear method and said this points to an evaporative emissions problem, and warned against topping off the tank or refueling with the engine running.

Quick tip

Write down exactly when it fails: hot, after fueling, in Park, after a long drive. That pattern is worth more to a mechanic than any parts you could throw at it.

Vehicle focus: 1995–2000 Ford Contour (and the twin Mercury Mystique) with the 2.0L four-cylinder or 2.5L V6.

Safety / mechanic note

Stalling while driving can leave you without power assist in traffic. Verify with a mechanic.