Hello,
I've had five Rangers (96-04) over the last 26 years. Three were purchased new, and two were used. My current daily driver is an 04 Edge, with a 3.0 and five speed. It has the style-side box, and will be the keeper. Over the last year, I've replaced just about every big ticket item on it, A/C, brakes, clutch, shocks, leaf springs, quality tires, etc. In January of this year, I rebuilt the engine, at 130k on the clock.

Since the rebuild, there are a couple of strange issues, and I wonder if anyone else has experienced them, or might have a hypothesis on the cause.

Issue 1: Check engine light will not stay off. The mechanic keeps getting two alternating codes, something with the cam sensor, and something to do with the timing. We fix one, and the other shows up the next day. We've replaced the cam sensor now, three times. The light is on again.

Issue 2: The engine seems to be revving high in each gear. Pre-rebuild, the truck would go right up to 80mph on the freeway, and the tack would show about 2,800 rpm's. I drove it on the freeway for the first time, yesterday. At 75mph, the engine seemed to be revving high, and whining excessively. I looked at the tach, and it was about 3,100 rpm's, in 5th? I backed off, and did not attempt 80. I've also noticed my gas mileage is atrocious. I'm shocked at the mileages some of you are getting with your Rangers of this period, as I'm lucky to get 225 per tank on this current one. Now, I can watch the needle drop.

If the engine is revving high, then of course the mileage will be awful. I think these two issues are inter-related. Any guesses? I'd appreciate any feedback.

Thank You,

Steven

 

Need the exact codes, code list here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...II_codes.shtml

There are several "cam codes" and "timing" codes

3.0l Vulcan is a high RPM engine, by design
Most engines make best power at 2,500-2,900 RPM
3.0l makes best power at 3,500-3,900 RPM

But from your description it reads like clutch may be slipping

Look on drivers door back edge for the Build Label, take a picture of it, its good to have
At the bottom look for the AXLE code, 2 digits
Then go here: https://www.therangerstation.com/tec...le_codes.shtml
Get YOUR axle ratio

Also look at your tire size, and get the diameter of that tires size here: https://tiresize.com/chart/

Then go here: https://spicerparts.com/calculators/...rpm-calculator

You have an M5OD-R1 5 speed trans
It uses these ratios 3.72 / 2.20 / 1.50 / 1.00 / 0.79
Gears 1 to 5

If you had a ring and pinion ratio(axle) of 3.73
Tire diameter of 28"
RPMs at 3,000
In OD(5th) .79

Then speed should be 84MPH, at 2,000rpm you would be at 56MPH

If you had a 4.10 axle ratio then you would be at 77MPH at 3,000rpm in 5th

Its all just math

If engine goes to a higher RPM but speed doesn't increase accordingly then clutch IS slipping

 

Thanks so much for the great information! I'll start down this rabbit hole tomorrow.

SM