Loss/lack of power/acceleration

Tiny
THUMP
  • MEMBER
  • 1987 FORD RANGER
I have a 1987 Ford Ranger 4x4 2.9 Liter XLT truck, and it has 174,000 miles or so on it. The problem I am stumped with is this. The truck has lack of power or loss of acceleration, especially when attempting to go up a slight hill on a paved road.
It seems as if it just doesn't have the power it use to.
I have to shift down in fourth and floor it when goin up a hill, the truck slows down to 45 and has no acceleration whatsoever. So I am now in the process of trying to find a diagnosis and fix my problem. I started at the low cost items first and am working my way up to the more expensive ones. Here is what I have done so far. Replaced the spark plugs, wires and inspected the rotor and replaced the distributor cap. Replaced the clutch, pressure plate, throw out bearing and slave, and the pinion bearing. Also after reading the codes I replaced the MAP sensor, the EGR valve, the air filter, changed the engine oil and filter. Have punched out the catylitic convertor. Have checked the oxygen sensor, manual transmission fluid level, and have inspected both the axles and all of the brakes for resistance or dragging. Checked the Timing and it appears to be good. I also have replaced the in-tank fuel pump and the screen or sock, have replaced the canister fuel filter, replaced the in-line fuel pump, and replaced the in-line fuel filter, and replaced the fuel pressure regulator. I also have checked all of the fuses and have ran the test on my ignition coil and it checked out as good. I also have performed a Compression Test on the engine and all of the cylinders check out good around 175-180. I have done all this and still drive it down the road and it still hesitates to accelerate. I am now to the point where I think I am going to replace the EVP sensor and then I am going to replace all of the injectors. I recently read an article that said plugged injectors can cause the type of syptoms like I am having. If this doesn't work then it has to be the Throttle Position Sensor ot either the Mass Air Flow Sensor? Right? Or should I replace them before the injectors? I have worked a lot on Rangers (I've owned 4) but I have never had a problem like this and I am struggling to find the solution. My wife says if I keep going I will have replaced and rebuilt all of the engine parts before long. Do you have any ideas, as to what may solve my trucks lack of power problem? I am getting very discouraged.
Saturday, September 1st, 2007 AT 8:54 PM

15 Replies

Tiny
CHUCKSPLACE1
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello I used this guide to fix my problem. Clogged fuel filter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-has-low-power-output

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Tuesday, February 28th, 2012 AT 11:29 PM
Tiny
DONALDBARD
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1987 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 170,000 MILES
I have a 1987 ford ranger 2.9L. It sometimes bogs down when stepping on the gas. Not all the time. Occasionally it will stall. I wait a few minutes and it starts right up. It acts like it was a clogged fuel filter but that was not the case. I changed the fuel filter and the problem is still there. I have changed the Air Filter, Plug wires, plugs, coil, cap and rotor.
Can you help?
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Lack of acceleration, chugging, hesitating, bogging etc. Could be caused by one of the following below.

Inspect and test all the following listed below and get back with some results

Oxygen sensor.
Catalytic converter.
Fuel injectors dirty/sticking.
Mass airflow sensor/Airflow meter.
Throttle position sensor.
Manifold absolute pressure sensor.
EGR Valve
Fuel pressure regulator leaking or defective fuel pump.
False air leakage.
Fuel contamination.
Foul/defective spark plugs.
Open spark plug wires.
Ignition coil/Coil packs defective.
Incorrect ignition timing.
Cap and rotor.

Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.
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Tuesday, November 20th, 2018 AT 10:00 AM (Merged)
Tiny
TIHADBAKER
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1989 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 160,000 MILES
What is the likely cause or probable cause to look into for the following.

When I step on the accelerator the engine will sputter and struggle at first and then eventually seem to run fine. This problem is not consistent though, some days my vehicles will seem to run great, and later that day (after allowing my vehicle to sit for a couple hours) I will fire it up and I will not be able to step on the accelorator at all withought the engine's rpm's declining and stalling the vehicle if I depress any further.

This is very strange, mainly how its inconsistent and seems to get better immediatley after I fuel up (sometimes) and seems to get really bad if I rev my engine before I drive.

Any Idea what this could possibly be?
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)

Sometimes, what feels like a hesitation is actually ignition misfire rather than lean misfire. The causes of ignition misfire may include:

Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Wet plug wires
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
MCCUNIT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1989 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 125,000 MILES
My truck idles smooth, accelerates fine but when in a higher gear and step on gas the engine gets loud and boggs down. I have replaced the converter and looked for the obvious. Help
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Inspect and test all the following listed below:

Oxygen sensor
Dirty fuel injectors (cleaning the injectors often fixes this).
Bad MAP (manifold absolute pressure) sensor
Bad TPS (throttle position) sensor
Bad or dirty MAF (mass airflow) sensor
Low fuel pressure (leaky fuel pressure regulator or weak fuel pump)
Vacuum leaks (intake manifold, vacuum hoses, throttle body, EGR valve)
Bad gasoline (fuel contaminated with water or too much alcohol)
Dirty or worn spark plugs
Bad plug wires
Weak ignition coil
Cap and rotor

Note:If it doesn't apply disregard.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SONYAMT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1988 FORD RANGER
1988 Ford Ranger, 165K+ mi, factory engine, manual transmission, no power steering/brakes.

Driving downhill, the spedometer slowly wound down and pressing accelorator produced nothing. I shut down and restarted a few minutes later - ok. But did it again after a couple of miles. Any ideas?
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JWALLACE08
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Try replacing or punching out your Catalytic Converter.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
THUMP
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have the same truck 88 Ford Ranger 4x4 and am having the same problem.
Have you figured out what the problem is with yours?
I would like to know if you have.
I have gave my truck a major tune up and am still having the same problem.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:19 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SONYAMT
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Sorry. I can't help you with this. I never discovered what the problem was. In June, about 1 week before I moved 4 hours away, the truck died and I couldn't revive it. I sold it for $100 just to keep from having to pay to have it hauled away.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPORTY77
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1986 FORD RANGER
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 17,500 MILES
Engine starts and runs fine until up to temp. And up to speed then when you step on it, it bogs, no power. Sometimes at low rpm and low speed it has died, after sitting awhile it starts back up like nothing happened. Anything sound familiar? Thanks for any advice,
Steve
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RANGERDANGER17
  • MEMBER
  • 224 POSTS
Well one dont step on it joking but it could be the spark plugs but check the air filter before replacing those
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
LESSISIT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 1986 FORD RANGER
Transmission problem
1986 Ford Ranger 4 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

As you accelerate it feels like the truck doesn't want to go. Thought it may be lack of tranny fluid but can't find a dipstick. Please help
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
There is no dipstick. There is a small plug in the side of the tranny you need to take the plug out if you can see the fluid it is ok should be level.
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Wednesday, November 27th, 2019 AT 6:20 PM (Merged)

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