2.5L ('98-'01) 2001 Ranger 2.5l SOHC Camshaft position sensor P0340 help please.

[Lanzapalooza]

Hello I am Mike and new to the Ranger Station. I have a 2001 Ranger with the 2.5l SOHC. While driving at 55 mph, engine lost power and quit. Check gage light came on and oil pressure went to zero. Engine will crank but not start now. This is what I have done so far:
-Changed Oil Pressure sensor and ensured there was the appropriate level of oil.
-Scanned and got DTC P0340 and P0171.
-replaced the Camshaft Position sensor.
-ensured good ground on the Gray/Red wire to CMP.
-ensured continuity between the CMP and the Powertrain Control Module.
-gray/red has 0.2 ohms resistance
-blue/org has 0.7ohms resistance.
-back probed b/o and g/r at CMP produced .1vac when cranking the engine.
Engine will crank but will not start. What would you do next? Please help.

 

[SenorNoob]

Welcome to TRS.

Fuel, Air, Spark, Timing, Compression. Something is missing.

What's it do if you hit it with starting fluid?

 

[Lanzapalooza]

I believe the Fuel/Spark absence is do to P0340 Camshaft position sensor malfunction. No camshaft signal no timing. PCM doesn’t know where the engine is.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

When you changed the Camshaft Position Sensor, did you just replace the sensor or did you replace the entire assembly?

 

[Lanzapalooza]

When you changed the Camshaft Position Sensor, did you just replace the sensor or did you replace the entire assembly?

Just the sensor.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Just the sensor.

That’s what I thought you might say… the lower assembly may have problems. If you’re lucky it’s just the assembly. If you’re not, the gear on the end of the cam may be pooched. Good chance it’s at least jumped position. I’d pull it out and take a look. Never worked on the 2.5 so I can’t really offer much beyond general advice. But I know my 5.0 had a problem where when I really got on it, I’d get a code for the cam sensor and it would choke bad until you let off the throttle. I pulled the assembly and it had a lot of slop. Nothing really seemed to be damaged in mine so I just dropped a new assembly in. You should put the engine at top dead center on the #1 cylinder if you suspect it’s spun. A new assembly should come with a tool for aligning the assembly and sensor.

 

[Lanzapalooza]

Not sure the assembly you are referring to.

 

[lil_Blue_Ford]

Not sure the assembly you are referring to.

Well, I just looked up your sensor… maybe I should have done that first… your setup is entirely different from anything I have so yeah… I’m not sure what to suggest, sorry. Everything I own has either a distributor or the sensor attached to what looks like the part of a distributor that goes down in the block

 

[Lanzapalooza]

Thanks for the try

 

[Shran]

I'm not sure if a 2.5 is dramatically different in how that sensor operates but my '95 4.0 truck is throwing the same P0340 code and it starts & runs OK.

IIRC it is actually the crank position sensor that determines how to set base timing when the engine is started...the cam position sensor comes into play after that to adjust the timing.

I'm not saying to jump in and replace the crank sensor just yet, it should be generating pulses of AC voltage as you attempt to start the engine. Test it first. I can't say I have heard of those failing a lot on our trucks but on other vehicles (Jeep in particular) they are a notorious reason for a no-start.

 

[Lanzapalooza]

thanks for the tip I will test the CKP. That could cause the engine to stall and the then cause the P0340 and then prevent future starting. I checked the fuel pressure at the schreader valve zero pressure KOEO and zero cranking.

 

[scotts90ranger]

Dumb question but I didn't see it addressed above, did you check the timing belt to see if it's intact? If it's intact, are the 3 pullies aligned? The oil pump is timing belt driven by the same pulley the cam sensor is on so you would lose pressure if the belt broke and that would also change the cam vs crank relationship...

 

[Lanzapalooza]

Not dumb you are correct haven’t looked yet. Was chasing the P0340 which has now vanished. Is that an easy observation or a big job?

 

[Lanzapalooza]

When the event happened and now there is no odd noise so I am hoping it’s electrical and I don’t have to do all that

 

[scotts90ranger]

Wait, does it run? I was assuming it didn't start...

There's a plug in the middle of the timing cover that you can pull to look at the belt, it lets you look at one of the timing marks or maybe both of them if you line up the crank pulley at TDC