If this is your first time here...

[PhreaKwenCi]

I highly recommend that you use these forums to your advantage, our cars are relatively expensive to work on, but once you learn how to work around them yourself, you can save yourself a ton of money doing your own work. We're here to help you!

A few things that you may or may not know:

1. The 4 cylinder probe and 6 cylinder probe shares the same engine as: Mazda mx-6, mx-3 and protege.

2. Ford is slowly phasing out probe parts, however mazda carries parts for the mx-6 in bulk. Mazda parts are also much cheaper, skip the ford dealership, head to mazda.

3. It should never take 2 hours to change an alternator. Ask people on forums how to do it yourself, you'll save so much money!!! The first year I owned a probe it cost me over 4000 in repairs and maintence. later that same year I disccoverd some of the forums I'll share with you at the end of this thread. Last year would've cost me 9000, after totaling it all up on cost me about 400 (not including tools I bought, just parts for the car) Learn about your car. Period.

4. eBay is your friend!!

5. Buy the big ass factory manual (see #4 for the best place to buy it) for your specific year.

6. Learn how to self diagnos your car when you get a check engine light, if you have a 96 or above, you can take it to autozone and they do it for free. Otherwise go here and learn:
http://www.performanceprobe.com/index2.php go to the do it yourself and the click on diagnostics and the select your year.

here's another one too...

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/mx6-uk/malf/malfcode.htm

6. Here's some forums to read from, they're all free, they're listed from my preferences and that's all. No politicking just me and my opinion. I highly recommend joining one or all of them, and getting to know the people in you area.

A.) forums.probetalk.com ( to me the best probe forum based website out there

B.) mx6.com (Lost of great info here and very cool how to's.)

C.) www.performanceprobe.com (nice site, a little outdated tho

D.) probefaq.org (lots of nice info, but not regularly updated)

The only reason I didn't list this forum is cuz well... you're already here aren't you? So help out those in need here as well. Pay it forward...dammit.

There, That should get you started. Enjoy and happy modding!

J.D.

[goon]

yes it is cheaper to do it yourself but there are technician out there that are trained, and not going to rip you off, also can I go to you work and you can give me things for FREE. I am a techinicain trying to help people out but I do have to pay bills too.

By the way have you ever replaced a alt. on a probe have FUN.

[liteman]

Try changing the front turn signal bulb on a 93 GT. I think it would be easier to take the whole bumper off first.
Probes are tight to work on...

[PhreaKwenCi]

Originally Posted by goon

yes it is cheaper to do it yourself but there are technician out there that are trained, and not going to rip you off, also can I go to you work and you can give me things for FREE. I am a techinicain trying to help people out but I do have to pay bills too.

By the way have you ever replaced a alt. on a probe have FUN.

For some things, I completely agree, a technician is required. however, poor kids like me can't afford 80 dollar an hour labor. So this forums isn't to downplay the importance of mechanics and techs, but to allow them the ability and knowledge to A. Know their car and B. fix it again if it happens once without having to shell out a ton of money. Don't get me wrong. I've done engine swaps twice in a probe, and it's a job you need someone whose trained, but for little things like fuel filters, vacuum hose leaks, egr, solenoids, and aftermarket additions it's better to have the knowledge and be able to fix it, then rely on someone else that doesn't see your car very often.

p.s. I've changed an alt in 20 minutes. just remove the bolts for the radiator, don't undo the hoses leave them on and put the whole radiator on top of the intake mani, and change, then replace. simple. the hoses won't break, you have a ton more space and saves a helluva lot of time.

Oh and the bulb. Yea just take the whole bumper off, once you done it twice then you can pretty much do it in under 40 minutes, or you can buy the euro clear corners not the american clears but the EURO clears and never have to take it off again. very worth the 60-80 bucks.