Automobile / Ford / Probe

Ford Probe Car Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1997 Ford Probe mileage: 144,000. My car just stopped, I found the fuel cutoff switch tripped in the trunk, but I still am not hearing the fuel pump. And the fuel cutoff light is still on. What next?

Answer: Check for 12-volts to the fuel pump while cranking the engine over. If 12 volts is present, replace the fuel pump. If you don't have 12-volts, check the fuel pump relay.

Question: 1989 Ford Probe LX mileage: 108,000. I have a question regarding my car's charging system. It has a history of charging system problems. The system completely failed about 3 years ago, I ended up replacing the battery, alternator and power distributor. Everything was fine until about a year ago when the system quit again, I had it checked and it was the alternator again. I replaced it myself and it was fine again until now. However, now it has some occasional problems with overcharging. I have not had any problems with light bulbs or fuses burning out. However, a couple times a week the voltmeter will read slightly above normal. There were a few squeaks in the belt, after which I tightened it and although the noise is mostly gone, the same problem with overcharging still exists. I have also noticed that the car seems to lose some power when it is doing this, but the acceleration will pick up again once the voltmeter is reading a normal charge. Do you have any ideas on what might be causing this?

Answer: Your intermittent charging problem may be caused by poor ground connections somewhere in the system. Replace the belt for the alternator. Belts squeak due to slippage and must be replaced.

Question: 1989 Ford Probe mileage: 149,000. My husband is at his wit's end trying to fix the clutch on our probe. One day the pedal started losing pressure and traveled all the way to the floor. He replaced the slave cylinder and it still wouldn't work. He bought a master cylinder rebuild kit and the pedal still won't build up any pressure. We have bled the system several times. At one time, we actually did get pressure and went to bleed the system for any remaining air and lost the pressure and have never been able to get it back. When we bleed the system the fluid runs through the lines but the pedal just won't come off the floor.

Answer: Your clutch problems may be caused by the clutch release fork inside the clutch.

Question: 1993 Probe GT mileage: 108,000. Here's a weird one for you guys, I've been noticing this for a long time and even asked local automotive repair shops with no success. When I reach a stop sign (downhill) everything is fine but when I start accelerating away the car smokes out the back...yet if I am at a level stop sign and accelerate...it is fine.... I also noticed this when I take certain turns too fast and accelerate...SMOKE.... I have no idea what this is.... HELP!

Answer: We have found similar problems with other cars approximately 60,000 or more miles. Replacing the valve stem seals reduces the oil use and smoke. They are made out of rubber and over time become hard and brittle and no longer seal.

Question: 1997 Ford Probe mileage: 102,000. The car quit while my wife was driving. I am not getting any fire from the distributor. I tried another distributor, crank position sensor, relay and PCM. Still cannot get any fire at the plugs.

Answer: Check the timing belt as it may have failed and consequently the distributor may not be rotating.

Question: 1996 Ford Probe mileage: 112,000. When I test drove my car it ran and started just fine, but about two weeks after I bought it it did not start at all it did not have any power what so ever - windows, stereo, lights, etc. When I want to start it I have to jump-start it and it will start well all day long, but when I let it sit all night it will run out of power over night. The thing that gets me is that when I bought it it went two weeks before it went completely dead and I just let it sit because I had no insurance on it, but now it loses all power just sitting all night. Do you have any idea what drains the power out of it? Thanks

Answer: From what you tell us, it sounds like you may be having trouble with your charging system. Have your battery load tested and check the alternator output for voltage and amperage. You also may have a drain on the battery that, overnight, would result in a dead battery. Here is the procedure we use to isolate a battery drain. Remove negative battery cable from the battery. Using a 12-volt test light, hook one end to the negative battery post the other end to the negative battery cable you just disconnected. The test light will glow or "light" if there is a drain. If the "light or glow" is faint, that is probably normal draw for the clock or computer. If the "light or glow" is bright, then there is a large drain. That should be corrected. Now start removing and replacing the fuses one by one until the light goes out; that one will be the circuit with the drain. Remember to hold in the button in the door jam for the interior lights.

Question:  1994 Ford Probe GT  mileage: 60,000.  My fuel cut-out light is on. No it will not start.  I have lost my manual.  I have checked the fuses that I think would affect the fuel pump.  I have also looked in the truck for the reset button for the electric pump.  What I think to be the reset button in the trunk is sitting in the driver's side rear panel covered with a rubber boot.  I pushed what looks like a reset button with no results.  What am I missing?  Help!  Your help would be greatly appreciated.

Answer:  Check the fuel pump relay, as this may be causing your no start problem.

Question:  1995 Ford Probe GL mileage: 75,000.  I live in Minnesota where you don't use the air conditioner during the summer.   Last week it finally got warm enough.  When I try to activate it nothing happens.  Well, something does happen.  If the car is at idle, it will rev up slightly as if the car is expecting to be bogged down.  That's it.  I don't hear the compressor engage and I don't hear the engine bog down.  I've checked the fuses.  The AC was working fine last summer.  I'm willing to have it looked at by a professional, but want to exhaust my own options first.   Of course, I checked out your FAQ before asking the question.

Answer:  Your air-conditioning system may be low on Freon.  The compressor will not engage if the system is low on Freon due to the low-pressure cut-off switch.

Question:  1995 Ford Probe GT mileage: 124,200.  My car misses and idles very roughly.  The idle will drop down suddenly from about 900 rpm to 400-600 rpm then pops back up again.   It has had degrees of this symptom for a few thousand miles, possibly dating back to when the battery failed and had to be replaced.   A dealer tune-up and a couple bottles of gas treatment have not made things any better.

Answer:    Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question:  1993 Ford Probe  mileage: 94,000.  The problem that we have with our car has been happening for approximately the last 10 months.  On occasion while my wife is en route to work or coming home at the end of the day the car will stall.   This only happens when she disengages the clutch & the car is in the idle mode.  Please keep in mind that this only happens on occasion.  We have taken the car to four different places to have tests done to the car (i.e. elec. diagnostics).  Only until tonight when she asked me to take the car out for a spin did the problem happen to me.  I know that my description may be a bit vague so please e-mail me with any questions that you may have.  Thank you for your time.

Answer:  Your car may be ready for a major tune-up including spark plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, fuel filter and air filter.  Also, perform a fuel pump pressure test.  Clean fuel injection system including throttle bore, idle speed control motor and passages.  If problem still exists, scan computer for trouble codes.

Question:  1989 Ford Probe mileage: 150,000.  Just after I went over the 150000 mile mark on the odometer my driver side headlight went out but is functional with high beams.  Have also noticed that the radio, which has a removable face, is now also dim 3/4 of the length while the remainder is fully lit.  Battery on cold days usually dips in the lower part of normal.  Also have another problem; only when defrost is turned on for front and back, it seems that the belt is squealing and only in a certain part.  Belt is only 3 months old.  I know I have asked a lot but what can I do to fix it myself.  Do I have to replace a bulb or the whole lamp on the headlight?   With the radio could it be a light within the facing or is it a burnt fuse?

Answer:    First of all, you need to replace the headlight.   It also sounds like you have a dash light bulb out.  Check, the tension on the alternator belt, if it is loose, tighten it.

Question:  1996 Ford Probe SE  mileage: 62,000.  Hi Guys, there are two symptoms, possibly related. Both problems are intermittent, but occur approx. 70% of the time. 1. High idle at around 2200 RPM, only when fully warmed up, especially when stopping at a traffic light after highway driving.  It will stay at 2200, and then gradually reduce to around 1500 RPM before returning to normal.  This process usually takes 30 or more seconds, sometimes over a minute.  2. When in "high idle mode", the engine will cut out at full throttle.  I noticed this one-day when the high idle made, me made and I tried to make a jackrabbit start when a light turned green!  Through each gear (5 spd), it will drown out at full throttle, and I have noticed that it smokes (gray) when I hold the pedal down during this cutout time, and smells really fowl-- like a combo of a catalytic converter and raw gas.  Any ideas?  I have been putting this off for a few months now, but it is getting worse.  I drive about 2500 miles per month and feel like I may be stranded soon!

Answer:    Your car is equipped with a computer controlled engine management system.  An independent auto service center can scan your computer for fault or error codes.  The information should pinpoint the malfunctioning components.

Question:  1995 Probe  mileage: 180,000.  Engine rotates but doesn't start; I've got spark at all plugs and the plugs have been replaced. I have gas flow past the filter and the timing belt is in good shape with no missing teeth.  The air filter is okay.  I'm not sure what the codes are for the Probe or how to clean the injectors.  I also replaced the distributor cap and rotor just for fun.

Answer:  Three things are needed for an engine to run: compression, proper amount of fuel and spark at the right time.  Try starting with a compression check and fuel pressure check.

Question: 1997 Ford Probe GTS  mileage: 51,000. Hi, and thank you for your help in advance. The problem we are having is somewhat sporadic. The car starts and runs fine but sometimes when coming to a stop and depressing the clutch the idle drops very low and usually stalls. I have replaced the spark plugs, but no change. If the car is down shifted to the stop there seems to be no problem. Fuel system cleaner/additive has been added to the fuel tank. When car is stationary, you can race the engine and the idle will return to 650-700 rpm. The only other observation I have made is when the A/C is on the problem seems not to exist. What do you think?

Answer: If a major tune-up has not been done recently, this could be the cause of your problem. Replace the spark plugs, plug wires, fuel and air filters, etc. Also, replace the oxygen sensor. In addition, service the fuel injection system. Clean the carbon deposits from the throttle bore and idle passages. You might also want to check the ignition module for possible failure.

Question:  1993 Ford Probe mileage: 107,000.  My cars' "check engine" light comes on at higher speeds only. I have been told this may be an oxygen sensor.  Does this sound right and if so do you have a ball park figure for how much I should pay to have it fixed or at least a cut off as to how high I should go.

Answer:    Your problem may or may not be the oxygen sensor.   The “check engine” light will “light” when there is a malfunction in the engine management system.  The fault code is then stored in the computer.  The computer must be scanned to retrieve these stored faults to pinpoint the malfunctioning component.  Because the check engine light indicates something is wrong, a trip to you neighborhood automobile service center sooner rather than later is recommended.  Parts and labor to replace an oxygen sensor is approximately $75.00.

Question:  1991 Ford Probe mileage: 96,000.  I have been hearing a high-pitched whistling scraping noise in the front right side of my car when my car is on the move.  When I apply the brakes, the noise immediately stops.  I thought perhaps it was the alternator, but the noise level doesn't change if I flip on the headlights.  What do you think might be the possible causes?  I want to repair the problem as soon as possible, but as a student struggling to make ends meet, I guess I'm hoping that the problem is minor. Just trying to get some information before planning my next move.  Thanks for your assistance.  This is a truly wonderful service.

Answer:   Sounds like brakes; have them checked, they may need replacing, you can order online and save by shopping at eautopartstore.com for OEM brake pads and shoes.

Question:  1989 Ford Probe mileage: 140,000.  My mom's car has an intermittent starting problem.  It doesn’t matter if the car is hot or cold. It doesn’t matter if you go a couple of miles or many. When it won't start, all you hear is a click up front towards the battery, but it's not a dead battery.  When it does start, it doesn’t hesitate or drag. What could be wrong with it?  Does it have a sensor, a relay or something in between the battery and the starter?  Do you have a wiring diagram that will show this?  Could you send it to me?  If you let it sit and go back later and try it, sooner or later it has started. We haven't moved it or anything, just turned the ignition key. I'm worried that my mom (70) is going to be stranded somewhere away from home and have no help. I would be thankful for any help you could give me.  Thank You!  A concerned daughter!

Answer:   It may be the starter and or starter solenoid.  However, before replacing them, be sure the battery is not the problem.  Have it load tested or when it will not start try “jumping” it from another car.  We are sorry, but due to the large volume of questions we receive, we do not have time to print, scan and email diagrams.  A Mitchell or Chilton auto repair manual will have diagrams showing what you need.  Click here to find out more

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