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No start after Installing new camshaft synchronizer (4L v6) 97 ranger


jp97rangerXLT

New Member
Joined
May 23, 2025
Messages
4
City
Louisiana
Vehicle Year
97
Transmission
Automatic
Does anyone have any diagrams or pointers towards what I may have done wrong. I had the vehicle at TDC for cyl #1. I Inserted the synchronizer at 60 degrees, It rotated to the center line of the vehicle. Vehicle started up right away before I messed with the synbernizer. Just had a couple hiccups with the drivability. So that's why I changed it out.
 
TDC but which one. Compression or exhaust stroke? I mean that's the whole point of the cam position sensor isn't it?

Also I've heard of people being able to just unplug them CPS and run with a check engine light...
 
Keeping with a common theme lately, consider that the new part might be defective out of the box. If it were me I'd install the old one again and see if you're back to a known good state.
 
Its past TDC for drop in. IIRC a peice of tape like 100mm on the harmonic balancer from TDC mark and line it up to that. I dont recall the details but it was in the tech article on this forum that gave me details. I had to do mine twice since the first aftermarket unit failed quick.
 
I have 2 marks on the harmonic balance.There's a 0 and a 10 I assumed the ten was 10 degrees before tdc
 
I have 2 marks on the harmonic balance.There's a 0 and a 10 I assumed the ten was 10 degrees before tdc
I found the article, scroll down to find the tape part I was talking about. This is what helped me do the synchro swap successfully

 
You sure you didn't forget to plug something else in? Coil pack maybe? It should at least start and run without the cam sensor in play.
 
Quick question though why does it need to be after tdc instead of at tdc?
Someone here will correct me if I'm wrong but I think it's best not to think of that sensor like you would a distributor. If I recall the theory of operation (it's been a while), there's a certain window (15 degrees maybe? or maybe even +/- 15 degrees) that the computer needs that pulse in and it can make adjustments to ignition timing within that range based on that and other sensor inputs. The actual physical position was probably just an arbitrary choice by the engineers.
 
Quick question though why does it need to be after tdc instead of at tdc?
I think because of the way the gear teeth have a twist to them as felt when dropping in the synchro....not sure though, thats just my theory.

Some have claimed to have pulled old and dropped in new at TDC no problem, but I would say they got lucky.
 

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