What did you do to your Ranger today? (Part Deux!)

[Bill]

Maybe, but its a software thing not mechanical, the No Start

I had a camshaft position sensor fail on a 4.0. It threw a code, but the engine ran relatively fine, but wasn't quite as responsive as it could have been.

 

[RonD]

Exactly, the 4.0l software doesn't disable the engine when cam sensor fails
3.0l software does, its a puzzler

 

[Bill]

I tried troubleshooting my high idle between shifts problem today, but it only did that about three times. The rest of the time the engine was running like it was new. Weird. I ended up adjusting the rear brakes because the adjustment mechanism isn't working and the parking brake wasn't working well enough to hold the truck on a steep hill. Putting the transmission in gear wasn't holding it either. The truck rolled backwards and turned the engine over in the process. I wasn't expecting that. Anyway, parking brake fixed so I don't have to park at the bottom of the hill and walk up it.

 

[1990RangerinSK]

Exactly, the 4.0l software doesn't disable the engine when cam sensor fails
3.0l software does, its a puzzler

Given that the sensor drives the oil pump on the 3.0, that's exactly what I would WANT to have happen. Sensor fails, takes out the oil pump. Right? Which would you rather? The computer shuts down the engine? Or the engine keeps running with no oil pressure, and seizes?

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I really think those mud flaps increase the desire to tailgate you...

I got to thinking the other day I don't think I have been tailgated since I put my jerry can on the back of my truck.

Maybe the threat of mutual destruction works for tailgaters like it does between global superpowers?

 

[Bgunner]

I got to thinking the other day I don't think I have been tailgated since I put my jerry can on the back of my truck.

Maybe the threat of mutual destruction works for tailgaters like it does between global superpowers?

The last thing you see before the air bags deploy is.... A jerry can. Yup I'd thing twice.

 

[Snoranger]

The last thing you see before the air bags deploy is.... A jerry can. Yup I'd thing twice.

 

[Angry Possum]

Where did you buy the mudflaps?

On eBay $32 plus tax.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

There's nothing complex about it. The camshaft position sensor was mounted on what was the distributor housing and was synchronized with the camshaft. Distributors were driven by a gear via the camshaft and sent the spark to the appropriate cylinder as it turned. In the case of the camshaft position sensor, the internal components in the distributor housing were replaced with a hall effect sensor that tells the ECM where the camshaft is so it knows when to signal the fuel injectors and fire a spark.

I was trying to make a funny about the German engineered motor doesn’t disable the motor when the camshaft position sensor goes bad like the North American engineered motor. Since I’m part German I found it amusing

 

[Snoranger]

I was trying to make a funny about the German engineered motor doesn’t disable the motor when the camshaft position sensor goes bad like the North American engineered motor. Since I’m part German I found it amusing

 

[ekrampitzjr]

Picked up my Ranger today from my mechanic buddy. He changed the water pump, upper timing chain tensioners, thermostat housing, thermostat, temperature sensor, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, and serpentine belt with new parts. The radiator hoses had already been changed. I provided all the new parts. All were Motorcraft, except for the aluminum Simmons thermostat housing and the idler pulley (AC Delco). The Motorcraft Gold coolant had been changed only ~6,000 miles ago and it was clean, so he reused it. I had provided new Gold coolant, but he didn't need to use any of it.

Interesting thing: the original water pump had corrosion on the impeller (covered with rust) and it was damp around the weep hole, so that pump probably didn't have much longer. Originally I told him I wasn't so worried about his replacing the water pump, but he said that since I had a new one and he was doing all the other work in that area, he might as well change it too. I'm glad now he did. The truck has 113,200 miles on it, so that should give an idea for the rest of you wondering about your water pumps. But I'm used to water pumps lasting longer miles.

The original tensioners seemed to be in good shape, with the plunger springs still strong. The driver's side one had a bit of rust on the long exposed end. The shorter passenger's one had no rust.

The truck runs like a champ and the temperature gauge is in exactly the same spot as before the work. You'd better believe I looked out for my buddy when I paid him. And thanks to everyone here who recommended I get this work done on the truck after I bought it.

Next thing will be an oil and filter change.

 

[CrabGuy]

I made an embarrassing mistake. After turning into a parking lot I went to turn down the radio and I thought my power steering had failed it was so jerky. I looked under the hood but realized I had accidentally hit the 4HI switch. They are pretty close together I guess and I'm clumsy

 

[rumblecloud]

I'm changing the trans fluid and filter tonight and tomorrow. Last week I changed the IAC. The week before I swapped out the MAF. Far as I know, the IAC and MAF are originals. Exciting stuff.

 

[RonD]

Never a dull moment at your place rumblecloud

 

[Bill]

I replaced the oil separator. So much for the instructions that state you only have to remove the tire, splash guard, and slide the coolant hose out of the way. I ended up having to unbolt the wiring harness to get access to the bolts and still had difficult with two more bolts. Especially the one behind the clip that holds the coolant hose. I'm also going to buy the appropriate pliers to remove those spring hose clamps. That clamp on the PCV valve really gave me a hard time. I should have replaced it with a hose clamp that I can use a screwdriver to remove the PCV hose in the future.