I have a 97 contour with the 4 cyl engine (CNG) with 148,000 miles. Last friday after driving the vehicle that day over 20 miles I briefly stopped in a store went back to the car and it wouldn't start though it would turn over. Checked the plugs looked worn so I changed them. The vehicle started but idle rough had to keep the car at high idle otherwise it would die. Got it home then decided to change the fuel filter and added some injector cleaner in the tank. It ran fine then friday and saturday. Then the car sat unused for 4 days went to try it today and it would'nt start again. checked plug 1 and it looked black at the bottom and dry. there is a spark. left the plug out for about an hour put the plug back in then it started. drove around the block. went back 10 minutes later and once again won't start. i am thinking that there is a fuel delivery problem maybe the fuel pump. puzzled and need help. Thanks.

 

Sounds like the fuel pump is going bad to me, but you also need to check the fuel pump connector. Sometimes that connector gets corrosion or the prongs spread apart causing this.

Here is the best part................. Remove the back seat and you will see a black round cover to access the connector

 

I changed the fuel pump and it seemed to work alright but then again it happened again today and during that time I could not hear the pump humming when key was turned to on position. At this point would it be safe to assume that it is electrical? Thanks

 

Check that fuel pump connector carefully. It had to be the problem. I have fixed 3 contour/mystique vehicles with that problem.

 

Checked the connector and seems fine. Recently the vehicle started fine but while driving it quit. So i let the car sit for a little while started rough but then ran fine. It happened twice today. I switched the relays around but did not seem to fix the problem.