16th Jul 2008, 06:12

I've had my Mercury Cougar for a year (2000). The dash lights flicker as well as the headlights. Thought it was the alternator, but it seems to charge the battery fine.

The car is the 6 cylinder 5 speed version. Anyone know what it could be?

Also when I'm changing gears, the rpm meter shoots to 4000 to 5000 when I push in the clutch to change gears.

Please help!

29th Jul 2008, 19:52

We purchased the 2000 Cougar with the V6 new. It only has 15000 miles on it. We are on our third alternator and the lights still flicker... dealer said I needed a new battery but a new one was installed the week before, they never mentioned the TSB... go figure. Now I cannot get in the car with the remote switch, doors and trunk. Replaced the battery in remote but still will not work. From above see some have had this same issue, can anyone tell me what your remedy was, thanks again.

30th Jul 2008, 15:07

Help. I bought a 2000 Cougar used and over all it runs really well however we have 2 issues.

First being when we get gas and fill the tank up gas leaks underneath the car. I have no idea what this could be.

Second the door locks and the trunk release suddenly stopped working. I am hoping maybe it is something like a fuse being blown.

Any feedback would be appreciated.

25th Aug 2008, 06:50

Regarding the Manual Lever Position Sensor, I think I have the same problem. How difficult was it to install?

1st Sep 2008, 09:22

Hi I havea 99 cougar with a wild elect. problem. Headlight blows fuses and parking lights and fog lights still work. Lights stay on for a while then go off, never consistent can stay on for 1/2hour then maybe 3 minutes. Any one have this happen to them e mail me spikedoctor@yahoo.com.

10th Sep 2008, 16:31

I bought my 2000 Cougar (auto trans, 2.5L, V6) in 2004 and immediately replaced the battery. The AC/heat blower only worked on level 4, which was a quick fix replacing the resistor.

Recently, the coolant light came on and has stayed on, then the check engine light came on and stayed solid. I thought it might be bad gas, but it wasn't. I used Fuel injector cleaner... no luck light just stayed on, but not accompanied by engine trouble.

THEN the alternator went, which I replaced myself for about 200 bucks and 6 hours of labor. (it wouldn't have taken so long, but it is very hard to get to one of the bolts on the alternator.) Car cranked like new and drove fine for about 50 miles. Then more trouble...

...seems like a fuel pickup problem, runs rough below 2000 rpm. Check engine light flashed. I was below a 1/4 of a tank, so I filled up. Problem went away until right below a 1/2 a tank. Now it seems like it wants to shut off, although it hasn't yet. Idles rough, slight stutter accelerating from red-lights. The check engine light intermittently flashes and then stays solid. I'm afraid it's gonna leave me on the side of the road again.

Does this seem like the fuel pump problem that everyone else is having?

Anything I should check before I go replacing the fuel pump??

P.S. if you need help replacing your alternator yourself, let me know!! (JessieDevL8402@aol.com, put Alternator in subject!)

11th Sep 2008, 11:34

2000 Merc. Cougar V6, 68k miles, 2nd owner in family. Replaced 1 fuel pump per recall and getting stuck on the road. Replaced 1 alt., died on road. If you have the light flicker problem, check the ground on the alt. Original alts., ground connection bad from factory. Have the problem with the display / instrument readings going bonkers and now it slides out of over drive over 60mph. Over all has not cost me over 1k in maint. repairs. Nice car, great gas mileage, you just can't abuse it because the parts are just generally made cheap by Ford.

11th Sep 2008, 12:19

I recently bought a 1999 Cougar. It had 89,000 miles and I had to replace the transmission, fuel pump and filter, A/C, and alternator.

I had an oil leak, which was going onto the alternator, basically everything on it is almost brand new except the motor.

My lights flicker so we thought it was the alternator, but we got that fixed and they still flicker. What could it be?

I've had nothing but problems with in since I've had it. Should I get another different car?

17th Sep 2008, 14:24

I have a 1999 Cougar and cannot get the RH parking brake to work. As I manually move the link arm the brake appears to be on when it should be off, and vice versa. The LH works fine. Any ideas?

18th Sep 2008, 15:35

HELP! I bought my car one year ago, Im the 2nd owner, it had 52k. Love the car with the exception that when I drive it and stop at a light my clutch pedal sticks to the floor and never comes back up. Resulting in the car thinking it is not in gear and then sputters and cuts off. The last time I drove it, it cut off on me 4 times trying to leave the 7-11 parking lot. I did take it to a mechanic and they replaced the Master Clutch Hydraulics Cylinder but it still cut off after replacing. Does anybody have any ideas what it might be? Single woman not wanting to trust any other mechanics!

28th Sep 2008, 20:39

To the last posting on the 18th of September 15:35.

A few questions for you to better know the issue and try to help.

You say the engine cuts out, is it cutting out because you have your foot on the clutch and the brake and the clutch is engaging by itself, or is the engine itself just quitting?

Also, what year and make (Cougar 2000, 2.5 with overdrive etc)

25th Oct 2008, 21:21

I have had my 2000 Cougar for about 2 years now. Had 97k miles when I bought it (123k now). It seems to have pretty much the same problems everyone else is explaining.

- Alternator replaced twice

- Battery replaced

- Fuel pump was replaced (for free by dealer)

- Sunroof latch broke (only way to fix is by Ford for $1,200)

- Flickering lights (had to fix faulty wiring)

- Windshield heater vent pops up

But, these rather simple problems are not my concern since I have fixed the battery and alternator problems.

What I am now dealing with is very odd. I believe it to be the body computer but I would like to know what other people think.

Every time I turn my car off the digital odometer and clock goes out (unlike it should), my interior lights only work half of the time, my anti-theft red light indicator no longer blinks, and whenever I start the car back up all of my gauges peg out (hit their limits) and then go back to normal positions. My water level and airbag lights also come on every few times I start the car. My alternator checks out just fine so I know it is not that. Sound like the main body computer to anyone else?

Ford wants a fortune just to TRY and find the problem, so who knows what they would charge to fix it.. IF they can even find it. Please e-mail me any comments, I don't visit this site often. Thanks to all in advance! My e-mail is markmartin18@hotmail.com