Newbie here to the forum been lurking and researching for a bit .I have had a P1336 code for some time and had the cam sensor and crank sensor replaced but after a day of driving the code came back.I am trying to replace the cam synchronizer using the alignment tool and put the #1 cylinder @TDC but the old synchronizer "tab" is offset from the "window" on the synchronizer about at the 2oclock position I double checked #1 cylinder by taking spark plug out and sticking a Phillips screwdriver in the spark plug hole and the piston is at the top. My question is should I set the synchronizer in the same position as the old or use the alignment tool and center the tab in the window of the synchronizer?.2002 ranger xlt 3.0l auto..
Thanks in advance

 

Most car/truck engines are 4-stroke engines, this means for one complete cycle each piston goes to TDC two times.
So crank goes around 2 full turns for one complete power cycle of engine.

Cam only goes around 1 time for complete cycle.

So you could simply be on the wrong TDC to setup Cam synchro.

The TDC you want is the at end of compression stroke, so with #1 spark plug out, rotate crank in its "running" direction with finger or compression gauge in the hole, when you feel finger getting pushed out or see pressure building on gauge the next TDC mark line up on crank pulley will be the one you want to setup Cam Synchro and CPS

The 4-strokes
1. Intake stroke, piston is starting down the cylinder from TDC, cam is opening intake valve, fuel injector will open, air/fuel mix is being sucked in by piston going down the cylinder
2. Compression stroke, piston has reached the bottom of cylinder, intake valve is closed, piston moves up cylinder compressing/heating the air/fuel mix.
3. Power stroke, compression stroke ends as piston travels past TDC and starts down, spark plug ignites air/fuel mix, it expands rapidly pushing piston down, which powers the crank shaft.
4. Exhaust stroke, piston is at the bottom of cylinder after Power stroke, cam opens exhaust valve as piston moves up cylinder which pushes exhaust out of cylinder.
Back at TDC and start of intake stroke

Spark and fuel injector(CPS) timing is all based on Compression stroke TDC.

 

Thanks for the info!! I did make sure it was on the compression stroke..Seems maybe it was replaced previously before I bought it and wasn't lined up properly. It's running much better so far ,at low speeds its not wanting to try and stall and coming to a stop the RPM's are not dropping to almost 0 and fluctuating back and forth wanting to stall.Fingers crossed problem solved...Again thanks for the info!!