Possible disconnected wires?

[kilobos]

I have a 1987 Ford Ranger XLT 2.9L V6. I have been having problems for the past year or so with my truck seeming like it is going "limp" and cannot find the issue. For the past year it would do this but it was very random, I will be driving and suddenly i get back firing and no real response with my throttle. Recently i had my clutch replaced and fluids added and bled. Ever since that work was done the "limp" issue it full time. I started looking around for wire issues. IO found some wires not connected and fixed them but I have these 2 purple/ white stripe wires coming through my firewall near my clutch pedal. At the same location there are also 2 red/white stripe wires that are connected to what i think is the sensor to detect neutral but where do these 2 purple wires go?

 

[adsm08]

Those go to the parking brake pedal. There is a little switch above it that they go on.

Your drivability issue reads like a failing/failed O2 sensor.

 

[Paulos]

Like adsm08 said.

 

[kilobos]

Thank you very much for showing the wire location! I am missing that part, any idea what its called? I had the shop replace my brake cables at the same time i had the clutch replaced. I guess they didnt notice that wasnt there.

@adsm08
Now as for the O2 sensor that was mentioned.. Just to add to my description. I start the truck up and drive for a mile or so then it will to that sputter/limp issue. Sometimes it seems as though Im not getting gas and other times pops and carries on like (the sound of a making popcorn) I let off the gas turn the key off and on again and it will run fine for another mile or so before it happens again. If i push the gas pedal to the floor it will pull through and get me moving. Seems like it does it when there is no load.

 

[Paulos]

Parking brake switch. I haven't seen them listed anywhere. Your best bet would be a wrecking yard.

Like adsm08 said, it sounds like the O2 sensor is bad. I would check the wiring to make sure it hasn't melted on the exhaust, and that the ground is bolted to the back of the passenger side head. Some good info here https://www.searchautoparts.com/motorage/maintenance-repair/buckin-bronco-ii

My '87 would run relatively okay until it warmed up, then it would run rough and sputter and buck until I floored it. Turning the ignition off, then back on again would help for a few minutes. But what solved the problem for me was cleaning the fuel rail and replacing the injectors.

 

[adsm08]

Thank you very much for showing the wire location! I am missing that part, any idea what its called? I had the shop replace my brake cables at the same time i had the clutch replaced. I guess they didnt notice that wasnt there.

@adsm08
Now as for the O2 sensor that was mentioned.. Just to add to my description. I start the truck up and drive for a mile or so then it will to that sputter/limp issue. Sometimes it seems as though Im not getting gas and other times pops and carries on like (the sound of a making popcorn) I let off the gas turn the key off and on again and it will run fine for another mile or so before it happens again. If i push the gas pedal to the floor it will pull through and get me moving. Seems like it does it when there is no load.

This is EXACTLY what a 2.9 does with a bad O2. I've been through it more than once.