The Mercury Cougar had a decent life span for a car. Although most popular as a hot rod in the late 1960s, it later enjoyed a metamorphosis as a luxury coupe until 2002. You'll still find lots of Cougars on the road with an electrical system that needs attention, particular with 1999 and later models.
Discover where the fuse box is located. Keep a supply of different size fuses on hand for your Cougar. It's just a matter of time before some need replacing.
Check the surface of your heater blower resistors if you own a Mercury Cougar from the years 1996 to 1999. Some of the Cougars manufactured during those years received recalls in 2001. If the steel blades are rough, they can damage the wiring harness's copper surface and lead to an open circuit that's a fire hazard. Get a new heater blower resistor and jumper harness installed.
Have your battery cable checked if you own a 2000 Mercury Cougar with 2.5L V6 engine. In some models from that year, the battery cable was misrouted, leading to the possibility of its rubbing against the power steering line. This could wear out the insulation and lead to an electrical short and possible fire hazard. Make certain the cable was replaced and routed correctly.
Beware of the 1999 Cougar. Many of them have a peculiar trait of the engine dying on sharp turns when the gas tank is less than half full. Obviously, this could be dangerous when turning left against traffic. Some owners have found limited success with replacing the fuel pump. The problem may reappear 20,000 miles down the road. Needless to say, Cougars can go through a lot of fuel pumps.
Look at fuses, relays and wiring if your dashboard lights seem to have a mind of their own. See if obtaining a problem code is any help to you with your electrical nightmare.
