Would the Vechicle Speed Control Sensor make the transmission shift really hard or not have any power much at all? The mazda stalls at 2.5 rpm but anything higher it seems to be fine but when the service/check engine light is on it runs @!#$ty all the time and can't go any faster than 45-50 mph and it stalls and trys to quit, especially at redlights but once the service engine light is off it will move on with you. The service engine light goes off every now and then.

The reason I ask is because I have heard different things from different people and I can't go by a guessing game because I will be
out more money on the car than its worth. Here are the things some people have told me they guarantee that is wrong with it.

1. Fuel Pump/Fuel Filter
2. VSS - but my brother-in-law calls it the "Vechicle Speed Control Sensor".
3. Spark Plugs/Wire
4. Distrubutor Shalf or however you spell that.

The engine is a 16 valve DOHC and it says Ford on the top of the motor, Im thinking the original mazda engine messed up in the car and someone swapped it with a ford probe engine cause in the manual that i have it says its susposed to say mazda on the top of the engine.

I really appreciate the help with my car everyone, I just hate to be out alot of money on a car by playing a guessing game and just going buying parts that I can't take back if thats not the problem.

those 4 things that people have told you are prob a good idea to try and replace. at least change the plug wires, and the VSS then go from there.

it's a ford probe. and every one knows that those where a pita so have fun. definetily change the sparkplug wires. and check the dist.