Hi everyone, I have a 96 Ford Contour with 110,000 km on it. Lately, when driving after a fresh rain shower (where there is significant water on the road), the car will lose battery power after driving though a puddle. The battery warning light comes on, and there is a loss of power steering, and all the lights dim. The engine continues to run. Everything returns to normal after a few minutes, presumably after all has dried out. Its likely there is a short ciruit somewhere that is exposed to the bottom of the car that tends to get wet. Has anyone had this problem before, or have some advise as to where I should start looking for the source of the problem? Thanks lp

sounds like the belt is slipping. see if the belt is shinny and if it has alot of cracks in it if so relace it.

i had the same with mine what is happening is water gets splashed up into the engine compartment then it makes the belt slip and you lose power. i used to not drive mine or be very carefull when it rains i was told that you can make a piece to put under there to keep it form happening ford doesn`t have any thing i dealt with it for years.

I'd check to make sure you aren't missing any of the wheelwell liner or splash shields. In addition to the wheel well liner, there are two smaller pieces of plastic that are mounted behind the strut. They cover the alternator and main crank pulley.