My '96 Ranger 2.3, runs strong when the weather and engine temp. are normal. When the weather heats up (in Texas), and the motor gets to normal(?) temp it looses power! This is bad, I have been told it could be the cat. or the temp sensor. I get no codes, any advice where to start? I don't want to just start throwing parts at it. HELP!!

 

Could be quite a few things

Unplug MAF sensor and see if it runs better when warm, CEL will come on, that's OK, even a good sign, it means computer will set codes so not a computer issue

I wouldn't think clogged exhaust, that would effect power cold or warm

Is there any pinging, lean running(low fuel pressure) OR any smoke from tail pipe, rich running?

Loss of power
does it idle OK
is there a specific RPM that the loss of power starts with, i.e. 3,000rpm and up

Manual or automatic trans?

When was timing belt last changed?

 

Belt changed around 70K ago, fuel pressure steady at 45psi. no smoke, (black or white). This condition seems to only happen when I'm running the A/C. and the temp. is up. I just put a "cold air intake filter" on it, could that be the problem?

 

Ranger all came from the factory with Cold Air Intakes(CAI) since 1986, i.e. all fuel injected Rangers had CAI

So not sure what you changed??

But maybe, can you HEAR the air going into the new intake filter?
If so that means there is turbulence so poor air flow
Exhaust sound, good, intake sound, bad, lol

The 1989 and up 2.3l/2.5l Lima engines were changed to dual spark plugs to make a bit more power, but they ran fine on 4 spark plugs from 1974 to 1988
You can unplug the 3 wire connector on either coil pack, to disable that coil and its 4 spark plugs
Pull the connector far enough away from its coil so it can't arc
Start engine and drive it that away
If you have a steady misfire then one of the spark plugs on the working coil pack is not working, you will need to find out why
Engine should run smooth on 4 spark plugs, but with a bit less power

Then reverse coil packs, to make sure BOTH are working using all 4 spark plugs

CEL(check engine light) WILL come on when a coil pack is unplugged, that's fine, and good, it means computer is detecting coil packs disabled
Codes will clear after both coil packs are hooked up again


Not that it matters
Dual spark plugs were always known to add power to any gasoline engine, but hard to do with a distributor, when distributorless systems were used it was easy to do
But............4 valves add even more power and better use of head space, so dual overhead cams were a better modification in engine design, for power and efficiency