Hi guys, I need some help!!! My 98 4.0 Ranger started acting like it was missing. As I've had the wires and plugs replaced within the year it didn't seem likely that was it. Brought it to an old family friend that has his own repir shop, he confirmed that it was the cam sensor, synchronizer and an o2 sensor. After a $544 repair bill it doesn't run any better than when I brought it in. His tech claims that it will "straighten out" after 100 miles. I've heard of running it until the check engine light goes out after a few miles but never magically start running properly after 100 miles! Have I been had? It's back in the shop right now. What's your take on this? Thanks ahead of time.

 

It doesn't sound right to me. When I installed the 4.0 in body swap it had a CEL for the cam syncronizer, but it ran fine. After setting it syncronizer the light went out immediately. I have never seen an o2 sensor make a vehicle run terrible, usually when out of the limits the system goes into a bypass mode and the vehicle runs ok, just not optimized... Of course these are just my opinions and I could be wrong but it just doesn't sound right.
John

 

Have them fix it correctly now. 100 miles won't change it for the better and, depending on the problem, driving it could cause damage in the meantime.

 

Never heard of that. What trouble codes is it throwing?

 

Didn't get the codes, except that before I took it to Auto zone and they got Cam sensor, O2 and a misfire. Is it so that when Cam sensor/synchronizer goes bad the engine will act as if misfiring?

 

Hi again, Just found 2 codes from Auto Zone (I had them check it before I took it in for repair) Codes they came up with were P1309 and P1151, one more that I didn't write down. Make any sense?

 

I have a 2000 ranger 3.0 that had the same p1309 code about a month ago. My truck had a sound like birds chirping under the hood. I took the sensor off the syncro, sprayed some wd40 down in it, put it back on, turned the code off, and haven't had it come back on since. My guess is that the syncro was not put back correctly causing a problem with the fuel mixture. An aligning tool comes with the syncro.