possible camshaft position sensor problem?

[medic8852]

Was headed home from work today and the check gauge light came on. The oil pressure gauge was not showing pressure and the truck was losing power. I killed the ignition and coasted to the side of the road. Once getting it home, i started looking at different things trying to figure out the issue, good battery, good alternator, good starter, clean plugs and i had just replaced the wires, then i started looking around the forum and read about this issue. The engine will not turn over when you hit the key, only a lone click. Any ideas? Am i looking at one of those sensors or did it roast the motor?

99 ranger 4x4 with the 3.0l.
Thanks for all who can help.

 

[fourwheelford]

Sounds like the grenade, was it chirping or squealing on startup, usually sounds like a belt squeal. How many miles are on the truck? Those things are a ticking time bomb after a certain point it was one of the first things I did when I bought my truck after reading about it. At 100000 miles the thing was starting to get rough when I got it out and spun it by hand. Get a big socket that will fit on the harmonic balancer bolt and try to turn the motor by hand that will narrow down to something other than eletrical.

Also the sensor is not what toasts the motor it actually sits on top of a shaft that engages the oil pump that bushing goes out shears the teeth on the drive and the oil pump stops you did the right thing by shutting it off but it may have been to late for her.

 

[medic8852]

Never did hear a squeal or anything of the sort. The truck has close to 150,000 on it. Have been pretty diligent about keeping it maintained, but did not know anything about that cam sensor deal until i joined the forum. I will try and see if i can spin the harmonic balancer this afternoon and see how it goes. If no go, there may be some parts for sale. New(rebuilt starter), newer alt, new clutch assy, etc...

 

[fourwheelford]

Sometimes they just go with no warning and your truck is right at about the point where they decide to go from what most people experience.