* Glowing Exhaust Manifold: This is a clear sign of excessive unburnt fuel igniting in the exhaust system. This is extremely dangerous and can lead to a fire. Shut the vehicle off immediately and do not restart it until the issue is resolved.
* Speed Sensor Code: The speed sensor is crucial for the engine's computer (Powertrain Control Module or PCM) to know how fast the engine is running and adjust fuel delivery accordingly. A faulty sensor can lead to incorrect fuel mixture calculations, resulting in a rich condition and lack of power.
* Lack of Power: This symptom aligns with both a rich fuel mixture and a speed sensor issue. A rich mixture prevents the engine from burning fuel efficiently, leading to a significant loss of power.
Possible Causes:
1. Faulty Speed Sensor: This is a likely culprit. A bad speed sensor provides inaccurate data to the PCM, causing it to deliver too much fuel.
2. Mass Airflow Sensor (MAF) Sensor Problem: The MAF sensor measures the amount of air entering the engine. A faulty MAF sensor could tell the PCM that less air is entering than actually is, resulting in a rich mixture.
3. Fuel Injector Issues: One or more fuel injectors could be sticking open or delivering too much fuel.
4. Fuel Pressure Regulator Problem: A faulty fuel pressure regulator could be causing excessively high fuel pressure.
5. Throttle Position Sensor (TPS): A bad TPS might give incorrect information to the PCM leading to poor fuel management.
6. PCM (Powertrain Control Module) Failure: Although less likely, a faulty PCM could be misinterpreting sensor data and causing a rich condition.
What to Do:
1. SAFETY FIRST: Do not drive the vehicle with a glowing exhaust manifold. The risk of fire is significant.
2. Get a Diagnostic Scan: Have a professional mechanic or use an OBD-II scanner to retrieve the specific trouble codes from your vehicle's PCM. This will pinpoint the exact sensor or system causing the problem. Generic codes like "speed sensor" are not sufficient for accurate diagnosis.
3. Inspect the Fuel System: A mechanic should inspect the fuel injectors, fuel pressure regulator, and fuel lines for any leaks or signs of malfunction.
4. Replace Faulty Components: Based on the diagnostic scan and visual inspection, replace any faulty components like the speed sensor, MAF sensor, fuel injectors, or fuel pressure regulator.
5. Professional Assistance: Due to the serious nature of a glowing exhaust manifold, it's strongly recommended to seek professional help from a qualified mechanic experienced with Ford Rangers. Attempting to diagnose and repair this yourself could be dangerous and potentially worsen the problem. Improper repairs could result in damage to the catalytic converter or engine.
