Ford Transits are reliable vehicles, but they occasionally experience a loss of power. When this is accompanied by an engine service now message appearing on the dashboard, it’s important to understand what this means and what steps you should take.

Air and fuel intake issues are the main causes of an engine service now light and a loss of power in a Ford Transit. Systematically checking the air intake and fuel systems components is a good starting point to identify any potential issues.

If your vehicle is experiencing this issue, it’s important to get it checked as soon as possible. Here are eight potential causes for a loss of power in a Ford Transit. 

Throttle Body Failure

A Ford Transit is notably reliable, but throttle body failure can occur over time. This occurs when the air valve is not working as it should, blocking air flow through the engine. As a result, the engine can’t produce a proper mixture of fuel and air within its cylinders, which severely restricts power output from the engine.

Fuel consumption will increase, and an illuminated engine service light will likely appear on the vehicle’s dashboard, alerting you to a problem with your vehicle’s propulsion system.

To check for this issue, you must remove the air intake hose and inspect the throttle body for any signs of wear and tear or damage. If you find any, you should replace the part immediately. 

Loose Or Bad Fuses

When a Ford Transit experiences loss of power and an illuminated engine service light, one of the possible culprits is a loose or bad fuse. In older models, fuses wear down over time and can become completely dysfunctional or unable to transfer electricity through their contacts properly.

Sometimes the fuse rail can become loose or corroded, preventing it from securely retaining the fuse in place. Therefore, you should check all of the fuses to make sure they’re connected properly and that they are in good working order.

If you find any damaged fuses, replace them with new ones with the same amperage rating as the old ones.   

Faulty Instrument Cluster Module

Another potential cause for a loss of power in your Ford Transit is a faulty instrument cluster module. This module operates your vehicle’s gauges, dash lights, and warning indicators. When this important part is not working properly, it can lead to a sudden loss of power or illumination of an engine service light.

Identifying it as the source can be difficult due to all the other components in your car that could be causing similar symptoms. If you notice any strange behavior from your Ford Transit dash warning indicators or loss of engine power, checking the ICM should be your first course of action.

To check for this issue, you will need to remove the instrument panel inside your vehicle and inspect all wiring connections to ensure everything is connected properly.   

Faulty Air Charge Temperature Sensor

A faulty air charge temperature sensor (ACT) can cause a loss of power and engine service light in a Ford Transit. The ACT sensor measures the temperature of the air coming into an engine, allowing the Vehicle Management Computer to adjust fuel input accordingly.

If the sensor is not functioning properly due to electrical or mechanical damage, it could provide false readings to the computer. This can cause the engine to produce less power than it normally would.

To check for this issue, you will need to remove the air intake hose and inspect the sensor for any signs of wear or damage that could be causing an issue with its readings.  

Low Fuel Pressure

When a Ford Transit experiences low fuel pressure, it can lead to a significant loss of power and the engine service light turning on. Low fuel pressure can be caused by a weak fuel pump, clogged filters, or even a faulty control module sending incorrect signals to the pump. This causes a reduced rate of fuel flow into the vehicle’s engine.

Without enough fuel input, the performance of your engine diminishes, and you will notice a drop in horsepower, acceleration, and other driving capabilities. If left unchecked, this condition can cause serious damage to the engine over time.

To check for this issue, you need to connect a fuel pressure gauge to the fuel rail and measure the pressure. If it is lower than the manufacturer’s recommended range, you will need to investigate further to find the cause of the problem. 

Slipping Clutch

When it comes to Ford Transits, a slipping clutch is one issue that can cause major problems. This issue can lead to loss of power in the engine as well as the dreaded service light coming on.

The clutch slipping causes an excess of engine RPMs to be sent through the transmission, resulting in too much power. This causes wear and tear on the engine and transmission, thus reducing performance and often leading to replacing the parts.

To check for this issue, you will need to inspect the clutch plate and the flywheel to see any signs of damage or excessive wear. If there is any visible damage, you must replace the parts before the issue becomes more severe.

Faulty Thermostat

Another potential cause of a loss of power in your Ford Transit is a faulty thermostat. The thermostat is responsible for regulating the engine’s temperature, and if it is not working properly, it can decrease performance.

This usually occurs when the thermostat is stuck in the closed position, which allows coolant to bypass the radiator and thus prevents it from cooling the engine properly. This can cause the engine to run hotter than normal, eventually leading to a loss of power.

To verify if this is the source of your problem, you must take out the thermostat and check it for any signs of wear or deterioration. If you notice any damage, it is best to replace the part before the problem becomes worse.

Faulty Suction Control Valve

The last potential cause of a loss of power and engine service light in a Ford Transit is a faulty suction control valve (SCV). This valve is responsible for regulating the amount of fuel entering the injectors and thus controlling engine performance.

If this valve becomes stuck in the open position, it will not be able to regulate the fuel input properly and thus cause a decrease in engine performance.

To check for this issue, you should first visually inspect the valve for any physical damage or signs of wear and tear. You should replace it immediately if you find evidence that it has gone bad.