cng switch light for newbie

[boomr]

Hi, I'm a newbie here and going to look at a contour soon. I now understand that they key needs to be turned off when switching to cng. What lights and light colors am I looking for? Also the check engine light is always on on this vehicle, but not sure why. I wouldn't consider this car as I was wanting a cng f 250 but it is at a very good price. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[maxman]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

Maybe that explains why it's a really good price.

The light actually works independent of the switch even though it is in the switch. This is according to the CNG supplement to the owner's manual.

The switch is solid green if the system is working, the switch is in the CNG mode and you have CNG. The light is turned on and off by the compuvalve. If you don't have CNG (empty tank) the light won't come on. I thought at first the light came on momentarily when first starting, even if the the tank is empty. However, I don't belive mine does.
You mentioned switching to CNG, so the assumption is yours is bi-fuel also. The manual says the switch needs to be off and the vehicle stopped, but I believe if you are going down the road and want to switch, you can put it in neutral, shut the key off, throw the switch, then start back up. I don't necessarily recommend this method.
If there is CNG and the system is working, the switch will be solid green when running on CNG. When it runs out of CNG, the light goes out and it switches to unleaded. After filling CNG, it will come back on again and vehicle will run on CNG if switch is left in CNG mode. My two sons and I just leave our switches in the CNG mode all the time.
If the light isn't working at all, I would be very cautious about buying the vehicle. It may just be out of CNG, but it likely is the system not working because CNG vehicles are almost always run on CNG if it is available. If in question, take it to a CNG place and fill it, or just put several gallons in. The light should go green when started. If it doesn't, expect the possibility of a couple thousand dollar repair bill.
I know the light flashes if something is wrong, and I believe someone said the can go yellow, but I've never seen that.
Someone else should come along and add to this soon.
Before you consider buying it, be sure to have the code read. You can do that free at Autozone.
Good Luck
Max

[happily]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

also check the cng fuses under the hood mounted to the shock cylinder. it is a black plate about 2 inches by four inches and covered in rubber the fuses and rubber boot can be pulled off..........also a red switch ( lever) under the car for the fuel

[CNG MOTORS]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

If you have a bad a experiance with the Contour don't hold it agaist other CNG vehicles. Contours are not the best CNG representive we have, in fact it's the worst. Best to worst CNG vehicles to buy goes some thing like this:

Honda Civic GX
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Ford Contour

Don't take my word. Click on search in the forum and type in Contour. All the subject lines are not people telling you they love their Contour.

[UtahGasBill]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

Wow.... I have an F250 for sale

http://www.bearcreeksuv.com/index.php?page=os.php&car=47&by=

Let me know

Bill

[happily]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

Maybe that explains why it's a really good price.

The light actually works independent of the switch even though it is in the switch. This is according to the CNG supplement to the owner's manual.

The switch is solid green if the system is working, the switch is in the CNG mode and you have CNG. The light is turned on and off by the compuvalve. If you don't have CNG (empty tank) the light won't come on. I thought at first the light came on momentarily when first starting, even if the the tank is empty. However, I don't belive mine does.
You mentioned switching to CNG, so the assumption is yours is bi-fuel also. The manual says the switch needs to be off and the vehicle stopped, but I believe if you are going down the road and want to switch, you can put it in neutral, shut the key off, throw the switch, then start back up. I don't necessarily recommend this method.
If there is CNG and the system is working, the switch will be solid green when running on CNG. When it runs out of CNG, the light goes out and it switches to unleaded. After filling CNG, it will come back on again and vehicle will run on CNG if switch is left in CNG mode. My two sons and I just leave our switches in the CNG mode all the time.
If the light isn't working at all, I would be very cautious about buying the vehicle. It may just be out of CNG, but it likely is the system not working because CNG vehicles are almost always run on CNG if it is available. If in question, take it to a CNG place and fill it, or just put several gallons in. The light should go green when started. If it doesn't, expect the possibility of a couple thousand dollar repair bill.
I know the light flashes if something is wrong, and I believe someone said the can go yellow, but I've never seen that.
Someone else should come along and add to this soon.
Before you consider buying it, be sure to have the code read. You can do that free at Autozone.
Good Luck
Max

Can someone verify for me this switch light info............I just got a contour and the light is green but the dealership is telling me the compuvalve is bad

[maxman]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

Does the light stay green when it's running? Or does it just turn green when starting with all the other warning light that flash on before starting?
Max

[happily]

Re: cng switch light for newbie

never had it running before so the light was just green on start up......but the dealership found a blocked fuel line and it is now running..........they said it might be the compuvalve at first so I was curious if the light would be green if this was the case