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Removing the manual transmission from your 1993 Ford Ranger is not a difficult task with the proper preparation, the right tools and a competent helper. The Ranger is identical to the Mazda pick-up so you will need both standard and metric tools because the parts are of mixed origin. You should also have plenty of shop towels or rags to clean up any spills. A handy option to have is an inexpensive transmission plug that can be purchased. You can use a rag instead. Choose a work area that is flat, solid and free from obstructions. Safety first.

Instructions

1

Remove the negative battery cable. Put the transmission in neutral. Drain the transmission. Use the floor jack to raise the vehicle high enough to work underneath. Support the truck on jack stands. Test the stability by trying to shake the vehicle. If there is any movement, re-set the stands. Release the emergency brake.

2

Locate the factory paint mark at the rear of the driveshaft and corresponding mark on the front of the differential. If you cannot see the marks, make your own using a scribe or some indelible method. These will help you reinstall the shaft and maintain its balance. Remove the nuts securing the rear of the shaft and slide the front spline out of the transmission. Use the plug or a rag to prevent leakage.

3

If you have 4WD, remove the transfer case. If you have a V-6, take out the exhaust. Disconnect the hydraulic clutch line, the speedometer cable and the electrical connectors. Label all connections for later installation. Remove the starter. Place the floor jack with a block of wood to protect the oil pan under the engine. Put a little upward pressure on the engine to provide support.

4

Place the transmission jack under the transmission and put a slight amount of pressure to support the unit. Disconnect the bolts from the bell housing to the engine. Remove the rear transmission mount. Remove the cross member. Simultaneously release pressure on the transmission jack as you withdraw the assembly toward the rear. Work slowly to free the transmission and gain enough clearance for the input shaft to clear the clutch pressure plate.

Introduced in 2005, the Chevy Cobalt is a compact car meant to replace the Cavalier. To save yourself a little money, you can make some repairs yourself like replacing the muffler. You can choose a new or used muffler, as both are usually affordable. Youll know its time to replace the muffler when it makes loud banging or shooting sounds when you accelerate. This is usually due to holes or other breaks in the muffler.

Instructions

1

Verify your Chevy Cobalt needs a new muffler by looking under the car towards the back. The muffler will be a large, round piece at the end of a long pipe. If there are holes in the muffler or if its missing, you must install a new one.

2

Purchase a new or used muffler. The same muffler will fit all Cobalt models. It should have a 2.25-inch center inlet/outlet. Plus, the width will measure 9.75 inches wide and the length measuring 13 inches long, and its made from aluminized steel.

3

Place an old blanket or a large piece of cardboard on the ground beneath the rear part of the Cobalt. This will provide a place to lie on the ground as you replace the muffler. It isnt necessary to lift the truck up on a jack or car lift, but it can make it easier to repair.

4

Remove the old exhaust system. Loosen any bolts around the muffler and take the muffler off. If the muffler is welded on, you can trying breaking it free with a sledge hammer if its already loose; otherwise, use a hacksaw to cut it free.

5

Compare the old muffler against the tail pipe of the new muffler. Saw off some of the new tail pipe with a hack saw, if its too long. You dont want your tail pipe sticking out too far. Put on the exhaust tip on the end of the pipe.

6

Install the new muffler on your Chevy Cobalt. Line it up straight with the clamps and then tighten the bolts to hold it in place at the back end of the muffler. Tighten all clamps and bolts around the muffler. The bolts should not be too tight because the muffler needs to move slightly to prevent damage; however, they need to be tight enough to prevent the muffler from falling off.

Your cars bumpers receive a lot of wear and tear, which can lead to unattractive paint peeling. You dont need extensive automotive experience to restore the smooth shine on a bumper. However, the new paint will bubble and crack if you dont apply it properly. Clean your car thoroughly first to remove any dirt and oil that will interfere with the inishing process.

Instructions

1

Sand the bumper with 60-grit sandpaper. Remove all of the chipping pieces of paint, leaving the bumper smooth. Wipe the bumper with the microfiber cloth to remove all of the debris.

2

Place a line of masking tape over the part of the bumper that is peeling. This prevents your patch efforts from reaching any other parts of the car or bumper that dont need treatment. Space the line of tape at least 1-inch from the farthest crack in the bumpers paint.

3

Put on the goggles and dusters mask to prevent damage to your eyes and lungs.

4

Spray the bumper with the primer. Allow the primer to dry before continuing. Sand the primer with 220-grit sandpaper to remove bumps and other distortions.

5

Apply another layer of primer and allow it to dry. Sand the primer with 600-grit sandpaper, giving it a highly smooth surface.

6

Clean the bumper with the microfiber cloth to remove the sand granules. This gives you the smoothest finish possible.

7

Spray the bare spot on the bumper with the automotive paint. Allow it to dry and apply another coat. Sand the layer with 600-grit sandpaper once it dries.

8

Wipe the bumper with the microfiber cloth to remove debris from the sanding. Apply a layer of clear coat to protect the paint. Allow it to dry and apply another layer until you have a solid, shiny finish.

The 1995 Pontiac Bonneville SSEI engine has one oxygen sensor that detects the oxygen saturation in the exhaust and relays the information to the engines computer to regulate the fuel consumption. When a sensor fails, the "Check Engine" or "Service Engine Soon" light may illuminate on your dash. If the light is on and your fuel mileage has significantly decreased, replace the sensor as soon as possible to save needless expense.

Instructions

1

Raise the hood of the Bonneville. Locate the oxygen sensor threaded into the exhaust manifold near the front of the engine compartment.

2

Pull the electrical connection apart to disconnect it from the sensor. Remove the sensor with a wrench.

3

Coat the threads of the new sensor with electrical anti-seize compound. Install it by hand to avoid cross-threading. Torque the sensor to 30 foot-pounds with a torque wrench.

4

Push the electrical connector together until it clicks. Lower the hood.

Headlight maintenance is an important part of driver safety, and failure to keep the headlights of a vehicle in working order may result in serious injury to the driver. However, replacing a headlight is usually simple. This is especially true for a 2006 VW Beetle.

Instructions

1

Open the hood.

2

Loosen the plastic housing surrounding the headlights by pushing back on the black lever above the headlights.

3

Remove the plastic housing.

4

Disconnect the electrical connector by clicking the tabs together and pulling it out gently.

5

Remove the headlamp unit from the vehicle.

6

Remove the black plastic tab on the back of the headlamp unit by pulling on it.

7

Remove the side clips on the headlamp unit and remove the wire clip securing the headlight bulb into place.

8

Pull the burned out bulb from the headlamp unit. Use a paper towel to install the replacement bulb by pushing it into the headlamp unit.

9

Reattach the wire clips and the side clips.

10

Lock the black plastic tab onto the back of the headlamp unit.

11

Reconnect the electrical connector by plugging it into the headlamp unit.

12

Place the unit back into the vehicle and reattach the plastic housing. Close the vehicles hood.

You can troubleshoot the defroster in a 1979 Oldsmobile yourself without the headache of finding a mechanic and having to make a decision about repairs on the spot. There is a possibility you might need a voltmeter to troubleshoot your vehicle. This can be purchased at any auto parts store.

Instructions

1

Check the cars coolant level. The warm air from a car defroster comes from the engines coolant. A low engine coolant level could be causing a lack of heat from the defroster. Also check that the heater core is not plugged. The coolant flows through the heater core to warm the defroster.

2

Check to see if the vacuum hose is detached or damaged. If it is, this can keep the doors from working and cause a lack of control in air direction. Ducts are responsible for moving the heater core air into the passenger cabin of the car. Vacuum-powered doors are responsible for the direction of air flow inside the ducts in most vehicles. Check the cabin air filter, too. If the cabin air filter is full of debris, this can also lead to a reduced flow of air.

3

Use the car manual as a guide to find the fuse box and also to learn the proper positioning for the blower fuse. Check inside the fuse box to assess the blower fuse. Use the voltmeter to make sure the blower is grounded and can receive power if the fuse is undamaged.

A bad ignition switch that intermittently goes off can cause a vehicle to die while youre driving. This can be dangerous, especially in heavy traffic. Having information on intermittent car ignition problems can be beneficial to automobile owners.

Causes

A couple of things that can cause an automobile to experience intermittent ignition problems. Sometimes these issues happen because you have a faulty ignition coil. However, the problems can also stem from a failed crankshaft position sensor.

Ignition Check

When experiencing intermittent car ignition problems, you and an assistant can perform a spark check in an effort to identify the problem. If the motor has spark plug wires, they should be taken off and placed beside the engine block. As your assistant starts the engine, your job is to check for a spark, because failure of the wire to produce a spark indicates a faulty ignition system.

Shock Warning

During the spark check with your assistant, you will need to be caul, especially after the vehicle has been started. You should make no contact with the wires, because if the ignition system turns out to be in working order while youre touching them, you could receive an electric shock.