I have a 1998 ford ranger XLT 2.5L manual transmission. So last week I was on my way back to college from the weekend of being at home and I got on the highway and couldn’t get the engine to push over 65 mph. So I got off at the next exit and turned around to go back home so that I wouldn’t get stranded. Well as I was getting off the exit to get back onto the interstate to go home, the engine jerked and I lost power and I couldn’t get it to go any harder. I was at 50 mph, then I hit a hill and couldn’t get over it and had to downshift, that completely decreased my speed to 40, creeping down to 35. Then as I was getting on the exit toward my city which was only like a mile away from where I turned around at, the ramp is another hill and I had to downshift into second gear and I was pushing 25 going up this not very steep ramp at all and I couldn’t push engine anymore than that, mind you I was flooring it this entire time. So I get up the ramp and then the engine jerks again and I start loosing more power. I downshift again into first gear going 15 mph. And then I stop on the side of the road because there was a hill coming and I couldn’t do anything more.

I’ve replaced the Fuel pump, and a coil pack that was only firing 2 cylinders. What is going on? Is this the MAF sensor? Please help.

 

Are there no codes being shown? You might check your fuses and relays to be sure they're alright before you delve deeper.

You could check to see if maybe your throttle body is gunked up or if the throttle position sensor on the throttle body is acting up.

If you replaced your fuel pump not too long ago, then maybe test your fuel pressure with a fuel pressure gauge. If you power on the vehicle, (not start) the pump should power on to pressurize the line. If the filter is clogged up a bit, the pressure may be weak.

I sometimes consult videos by Chrisfix and 1A auto for trying to diagnose stuff ( this video might be helpful ), but in all honesty, if you can take it in for a mechanic to diagnose what is going on, it may be worth it so you can know where to tackle?

I hope you can get this ironed out.

 

Hey, man, thanks for your input. I’ve done so much work to this truck over the last 3 years it’s unreal. I’ve cleaned the throttle body up nice multiple times, the first time was so bad and then after that I had nothing every time. I just replaced the TPS the is weekend and it helped with the bogging issue at 4000 rpms but it’s misfiring under load now, and I have 2 codes for the IAC: P1504 and P1506. It’s still drivable in the city but on the highway it has issues.

I’ll have the shop look at it In a couple days. I have an appointment with them anyways.

Thanks for your input, I’ll see about more updates for this issue if the shop finds them.