So I took the alternator in to get it tested, and it tested good, and I have a brand new battery in this car, and it just will not charge. What should I be looking at now to troubleshoot this problem? The car has the 2.0L engine in it, just in case that makes a difference.

 

Some Contours had problems with the alternator and charging system that left a 175 amp mega fuse open and therefore the charge could not get to the battery as designed.
Check that fuse and make sure it is not open.

 

That would be wonderfully simple, I will check on that immediately and post back again if it fixes it. Thank you.

 

I am not seeing anything 175 amp, biggest I see here is 80 amp

 

I just found it, wasnt initially where I thought it would be, thanks again!

 

Where did you find it?

 

I just followed the big wires to this little black box that I had to pry the top off of and the fuse was under there. For some reason I just totally discounted that box as being anything important when I was looking before. Almost impossible to miss when you follow the big wires.

 

Can you tell if this was the problem, the big fuse?

 

Yes - replaced it and poof problem solved