Where is the throttle body located on a Ford Contour?

Throttle Body Cleaning on vehicles without electronic throttle control (most 2003 and down)

You can in most cases repair this slow speed stall or unstable idle by cleaning the engine throttle valve and the idle speed control valve using a product called CRC Spray Throttle valve cleaner. Spray the cleaner into the air intake of the engine with the hose removed from the throttle body, the engine will try to stall so hold up the idle speed manually. Once you have used up about 1/2 can of the cleaner stall the engine out while spraying and turn the key off, disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and then reconnect and drive the car for a about 25 miles of varied driving modes. If this doesn't cure the problem you may need the fuel injectors professionally cleaned by the dealer service dept.

On the throttle body ! Ford idle air control valve IAC test stalling problems

the iac sensor is along the side of throttle body , did you give the throttle plate area a good cleaning out this is where the air path is for the IAC sensor , a lot of idle problems have been fixed with a can of throttle body cleaner and few good squirts of the stuff down the hole

This engine has automatic idle speed control, the computer controls a "air bypass" valve on the side of the throttle body where the air intake hose from the air cleaner is connected, the valve and the throttle butterfly get "sludged" up and this causes all kinds of idle problems and off idle stall, see full list below and fix for the problems

Here is the common cause of surges, cold stalls, stalls at stops, slow idle speed, erratic idle speed, rough idle and engine hesitation (and other problems), it is in most cases the idle speed control air-bypass valve and or throttle valve and upper intake, these area's get full of gunk and combustion residue over the miles and cause idle issues (stalls, low idle) like yours.

To correct this problem Buy a can of throttle valve cleaner (it is made by CRC) from the local auto parts store, NEVER USE CARB CLEANING SPRAY, IT DESTROYS THE ANTI-STICK TEFLON COATING, spray it into the air intake through the throttle body of the engine until you have used about half the can, you will need to hold the idle up while you do this, it will try to stall, after this shut the engine down and disconnect the Negative (-) battery cable for 5 minutes. The intake is now clean, if you continue to have the idle speed control problems you may need to seek the help of a professional.

Sounds like you idle air control valve is starting to mess up. You can actually take this off and clean it with throttle body cleaner and it should help get your idle back to normal. As is sounds the idle air control valve controls how fast/slow your car idles. It is located on the throttle body normally held on with a couple of screws. The throttle body is where the air duct hose coming from the air filter box ends at the engine block. Here is a picture of what you are looking for:
Make sure that you clean the valve portion and not the electrical plug with the throttle body cleaner. Let it air dry or blow lightly with compressed air before putting it back on. Let me know if you have any more questions. Thanks for using FixYa!

The idle air control valve is located on the back of the throttle body. It has an oval electrical connector and two torx screws holding it in. Unplug the connector, remove the two screws then lightly tap the body with a soft faced mallet to loosen it from the body. 
Once you have it out and prior to installing a new valve clean the seat inside the throttle body where the idle control fits. This must be very clean! Installation is in the reverse order. 
 To save some cash, pull the valve out and clean it with throttle body cleaner, this usually fixes the problem for quite a while.
Good luck and hope this helps.

Sounds like it's your IAC (idel air control sensor).  The IAC is a computer-controlled air bypass valve located in the throttle body. It helps control idle speeds by allowing air to bypass the throttle plates as to increase the idle speed.  If the IAC isn't working properly the car will stall when you are not pressing the gas pedal.  It is located on your throttle body and is relatively cheap and a simple change since it is normally held in my two screws.  Let me know if you have any other questions.  Thanks for an honest ranking and for using FixYa!

The throttle body is located on the driver side of the engine compartment.
If throttle plate has not been clean you might want to get a can of carburetor cleaner, remove the inlet snorkel hose and clean around and behind the throttle plate.
The IAC (idle air control) motor may need to be cleaned. The IAC controls your idle rpm.
Good luck, let me know.
Regards,

Most likely a dirty idle speed control system follow the guidelines below to clean it.

Throttle Body Cleaning on vehicles without electronic throttle control (most 2003 and down)

You can in most cases repair this slow speed stall or unstable idle by cleaning the engine throttle valve and the idle speed control valve using a product called CRC Spray Throttle valve cleaner. Spray the cleaner into the air intake of the engine with the hose removed from the throttle body, the engine will try to stall so hold up the idle speed manually. Once you have used up about 1/2 can of the cleaner stall the engine out while spraying and turn the key off, disconnect the negative battery cable for 5 minutes and then reconnect and drive the car for a about 25 miles of varied driving modes. If this doesn't cure the problem you may need the fuel injectors professionally cleaned by the dealer service dept.

Sounds to me like an O2 sensor, i had a similar problem with my Ford Probe GT. Luckily my car was a 5 speed so i just kept my foot on the gas a bit and put my car into neutral as i was slowing down or coming to a stop. If you're car is automatic I would not suggest doing neutral drops.. you'll cause more damage.