1998 ford ranger 4x4 ,3.0L , hello, fairly new to posting, my ranger won’t synchronize when shifting, now I’ve read about symptoms if your camshaft synchronizer is bad ,going bad that there is a slew of issues, mine runs fine, idles fine ,shifts fine using clutch, starts fine ,engine has over 300,000 miles. I just can’t shift without clutch. I’ve owned this for approximately 1 year, no idea what other owner has done other than manual lockout hubs.
Should I look elsewhere for the cause of sync issue?
much appreciate any heads up and suggestions, if I do install a new Camshaft sync. Should I be fearful of non OEM parts? I’m 67 and will be doing this myself, if I do..wish me luck but I have done my own work on vehicles sense the 60s, but loosing some of my dexterity.

thanks again, hope it’s a great day to be alive .
Mike Cossey

 

I guess I don't fully understand your question, but you should always use the clutch for shifting. The gear synchronizers just smooth shifting with a clutch, especially when down shifting. The camshaft syncro. does nothing I know of for shifting. It tells the computer when to fire the ignition.

 

Maybe I've been mis -understanding the purpose or the Camshaft Synchronizer , with my 1977 CJ5 the only time I had to use the clutch for getting into another gear was to get rolling . then
all I had to do was be near the correct rpm to shift up or down without touching the clutch.

thanks for the reply, much appreciated.

 

Cam shaft position sensor would be a more accurate description.

The problem with the Ranger is the rpms of the engine drop to fast and the gear ratios of the transmission are to close to each other, you'd probably have better luck going from 1st to 3rd to 5th, skipping 2nd and 4th.

 

Description confused me, camshaft synchronizer, lol, it looked like a distributor to me, but what the "" do I know , shoot , I was surprised the clutch was hydraulic.. I was questioning my sanity n scratching my head with how that would work to synchronize the tranny gears. But technology!
well, disappointing the gears don’t synchronize, loved that part about my 77 jeep. Saves a lot of aggravation.
Thanks for the heads up….