B3000 Cam Synchro Issue

[bambaloogie]

Hi all,
I have an issue regarding the cam synchro on my 1996 B3000 4wd that I have not been able to account for even after reading all the articles and threads I could get my hand on.

So I needed to replace the synchro (sensor magnet broke off and trashed the synchro vane). No big deal, found tons of info on the repair in this site and others. Ordered Motorcraft DA2094 after reading about the crap Dorman etc makes. Got the part in the mail, only to find that the new synchro had a half-circle vane instead of the tab the old one had. "Ok," said I, "Must've ordered the wrong part." Thing is, I ran around to all the different auto parts stores, and not only did their databases say that the DA2094 was right for this model/year, but also unboxed the aftermarket part they had for my truck, and they also had semi-circle vanes. So I went home and, after spending an afternoon and an evening on the web, I wasn't able to find any clarification or anyone experiencing the same issue. So I set the engine to TDC Compression, used the alignment tool, and installed the DA2094 w/ new sensor. Lo and behold, I now have P0340 code again as well as a couple misfires detected.

I think it's quite unlikely that I installed the synchro out of alignment, so I'm assuming this really is the wrong synchro/sensor. I'm just confused as to how this could be, when all of the internet and auto parts stores tell me it's the right part. The new sensor, by the way, was a 3-wire just like the old one. And this part is supposed to be for a 95-97 B3000 (mine's a 96) so it'a not as though my truck was made at the cusp of a switch in components. Original engine of course.

Hoping someone has some clarification on this synchro vane shape issue, because I'm at a loss!

 

[bambaloogie]

Maybe I wasn't clear in my last post, I was mostly wondering if there was a different Motorcraft (or, at this point, any brand) cam synchro that I can order which has the small 1/4" tab instead of the semi-circle for the hall sensor vane. Please and thank you!

 

[bambaloogie]

Bump

Anyone? Please? I know it seems like I'm an idiot and I haven't done my due diligence...well, I may be an idiot, but I've certainly spent some time trying to figure this out..I'm kind of desperate for any input at all-be it constructive, sneering or indifferent. I need to order the right cam synchro, I think, but most online vendors don't include a picture of the synchro vane so for all I know I'll be ordering the same type of cam synchro I already have installled..I really need help on this.

 

[enjr44]

I don't have a clue unless the engine in your B is not the one it came with (different year) and there are changes between years.

 

[RB7 Ranger]

Yes there is two different sensors the 3 wire 1/2 moon is a hall effect and the tab type is a magnetic 2 wire . order it for a 98 ranger 3.0litre.
with the engine on top dead center on compression stroke #1 cyl.
drop in the cam / synchronizer at about 90* (tab) and as it goes in it should end up at roughly 38* while turning it and wiggling it put the tool on it the arrow should face the corner of fire wall and heater box (roughly), tighten 8 mm bolt(10mm head) plug in your connector. clear your code and watch for cam sync on scan tool
When this is out of sync burned pistons and blown head gaskets are shortly to come

 

[bambaloogie]

Thanks, guys
Enjr, that thought did occur to me, but this truck has been in my girlfriend's family for years, it unlikely that the engine could've been replaced without us knowing. Possible that the camshaft synchro was previously replaced with the wrong type, but still using the 3-wire sensor head.

RB7, thanks for the clarification. The thing is, if the tab-style synchro takes a 2-wire sensor, and the half-circle synchro uses a 3-wire (and assuming they are always paired this way), and if I have a 3-wire plugin on my wiring harness, then it follows that I should have a half-circle, 3-wire synchro-correct?

 

[enjr44]

Time to stop being analytical and get to fixing the truck.

If you have a two wire synchro in the truck, my guess you need a two wire sensor. If you have a three wire harness plugged into it I guess you can put the three wire connector on the and it will work. I mean it did work right?? These two links show really good pictures of the two different synchros.

http://www.1aauto.com/camshaft-posi..._content=CPS&gclid=CLebyqyln8gCFUdffgodjC0Jbg (99)

http://www.1aauto.com/camshaft-position-synchronizer/i/1acps00020?f=506309&y=1996 (96)

My guess is it failed at sometime in the past and the mech got the two wire synchro and "made it work" or something else failed and replacing it required a two wire synchro to make it work!!! And, with the three wire connector on it, the two wire worked.

 

[bambaloogie]

Time to stop being analytical and get to fixing the truck.

If you have a two wire synchro in the truck, my guess you need a two wire sensor. If you have a three wire harness plugged into it I guess you can put the three wire connector on the and it will work. I mean it did work right?? These two links show really good pictures of the two different synchros.

http://www.1aauto.com/camshaft-posi..._content=CPS&gclid=CLebyqyln8gCFUdffgodjC0Jbg (99)

http://www.1aauto.com/camshaft-position-synchronizer/i/1acps00020?f=506309&y=1996 (96)

My guess is it failed at sometime in the past and the mech got the two wire synchro and "made it work" or something else failed and replacing it required a two wire synchro to make it work!!! And, with the three wire connector on it, the two wire worked.

OK, I should have made it clear that this has been an issue ever since I came into possession of this truck. So no, it hasn't "worked" at any time in my relationship with this truck.

And, respectfully, I don't think I'm overanalyzing this at all. I'm trying to get this fixed right. I'm already two cam synchros and several misfires into this, and I've resolved to leave this truck in the driveway until I get this figured out.

Again, not trying to overanalyze this, I'm just requesting clarification on a few simple questions:
1) Do the camshaft synchros with the tab-type vane ALWAYS use a two-wire sensor?

2) Do the synchros with the semi-circle vane ALWAYS use a 3-wire sensor?

3) For anyone with a '96 Ranger 3.0l or '96 B3000, which type of synchro/sensor is on your truck?

That's it. That's all the clarification I'm desirous of. It's odd to me that on your first post you encouraged getting it figured out because "When this is out of sync burned pistons and blown head gaskets are shortly to come " (I agree, to an extent), but then on your next post you effectively said to throw caution to the winds and "stop being analytical and get to fixing the truck."

I'd love to "get to fixing the truck"! That's the entire point of this thread! I know how to install a cam synchro, and for god's sakes I know the difference between a two and a three-wire sensor!

I dunno, apparently I'm the first person to have run into this and am therefore coming across as a moron. I just thought someone might have come across a similar weird situation. Worth a try, s'pose. Thanks, all, for takin a gander.