FordRangerCamSyncHowTo

Replacing the Camshaft Synchronizer and Positioning Sensor on a 99 Ford Ranger 3.0 engine. Tools needed: 1/4 drive Ratchet, 1/4 drive 6" extension, 1/4 drive 5.5mm socket or 7/32 socket, 10mm socket, flashlight, and some fresh engine oil (same kind you have in your engine), and some wrags or papertowels.
Time to do the job, about 30 minutes..
Costs: Motorcraft Cam Sync from RockAuto $97, Delphi Cam Positioning Sensor from NAPA for $39, OR Take it to a Dealership and pay $300 or more!!
I would like to thank RockAuto.com, NAPA, and all the helpful people on the following forums: FordRangerForum.com, RangerForum.net, Ranger-Forums.com, and RangerPowerSports.com.
Please visit my site at www.gcextreme.com/FordRanger/
I am Glenn Cox, aka GCEXTREME.
Thank You.

[@dougeverett4201]

Long story and I won't bore you with it, but making a living right now by driving places. I was feeling panicked at having this issue, but after watching this I feel much better. Told me exactly what I needed to know. Great video!

[@timsteel3211]

Really nice truck and excellent job THANK YOU! Your vid helps me feel confident in changing mine and saving a lot of money and extending the service of my 3.0.

[@Akrowdya64]

Thanks for the video! I was able to correct the chirping issue. The most difficult part was aligning in the new one. It seems to working okay, so I must of done it correct. Thanks again!

[@matiasfernandes]

Very nice video. Its important to keep an eye on those camshaft syncs. on the 3 liter Rangers, congratulations! Yeap, both Pooleo and Bugman are well know characters on every Ranger forums!!!

[@dunawayalt]

Thanks for the video. This really helped me change the syncho.

[@mightyORFEN]

The production of this video is awful. And yet the most informative ive found. Thank you. But if you decide to make more videos, hopefully you work on your filming and lighting.

[@FUzzyBUnnyBOoties]

Nice truck buddy!!. Video was very helpful. I have the same motor and mine has not gone out yet. But I am sure at some time I am going to have to change mine.

[@gcextreme]

Ok I hope this video How-To helps other Ford Ranger owners....and saves them some money by not taking it to a dealership and paying $300 or more for this simple project. Sorry that my southern accent makes me sound retarded...i was a bit nervous and stumbling on my words when recording this with my cell phone. If anyone has any questions, just ask.

[@djmajiktuch82]

Hey did you have to TDC when replacing this synchro?

[@onemax13]

Thanks for the video. I will attempt this repair as I just got a P0340 trouble code for this cam shaft position sensor. NICE TRUCK W ADDED FEATURES! I hope I can fix my error code...

[@gcextreme]

+Max J. P. Thanks, good luck and if your'e on facebook join Modified Ranger Network, im on there and more than happy to help ya

[@onemax13]

+Glenn Cox. Hello. I can get the old synchronizer off. with lots of tugging and WD40 spray it won't come off. only a few millimeters it goes up and stays stuck. Any suggestions?

[@ratcatcher4804]

You really have to have good knees to get to this thing. It is a whole lot easier to set #1 to TDC and use the special tool that comes with the new synchro to drop it in and be done with it. You have to be in a very awkward position to get at these.

[@joseireneobrionesflores6943]

muy ilustrativo, muchas gracias.......

[@youngchris209]

i wish u had an HD cam

[@floydschell6121]

Hey... This was a really helpful video! Just wanted to let you know. I did mine and I think I may be be a tooth off still because the car started up fine but its ticking now. Like a lifter or something. Any thoughts on that? Thanks, Floyd.

[@reggieocro]

Thanks men

[@jamesfalvey77]

I have a 99 ford ranger 3.0L 5 speed. I don't have the chirp ,however, I do detect a slight hesitation or misfire when accelerating even more with the a/c on. If I shift a little soon at low speed/revs the truck will "buck" slightly. At highway speeds the hesitation/misfire is still there. Under normal shifts if I try to gas it I might get a little jerk. But if I'm super super easy it doesn't seem to be there..." The jerk". Although I don't have the chirp, could this be my problem?

[@faust310]

Big thank you I hope I can do this on my 99 Ranger 3.0 FFV. Was also quoted just over $500.00 & after seeing this I know I can do it myself. Just cleaned the Maf, & removed the entire throttle body & cleaned it & removed the iac from it & cleaned also. After the camshaft switch will I need to reset my trucks ECU? I will find that out no worries

[@dxta7360]

I like your truck. Did you modify the stock height of the truck, or replaced the leaf springs?

[@Iosis6]

I didn't hear you say it but I haveu been trying to figure out why people tell you to set the first piston to TDC. Doesn't make any sense if the sensor and shaft go back in the exact way they came out. Let me know what you think.

[@whitlcj1]

06 3.0 vulcan. 65k miles. New fuel filter, clean MAF, reset ECU. Problem: 1)There is no CEL. 2) The engine misfires under load all the way to 2500 RPM. Is this what yours did?

[@kristiasurrency7351]

Was the truck running before you replaced it? and if so how was it running? I'm wondering because my ranger has had the cam shaft sync and sensor worked on in the past and not sure the person knew exactly what they were doing.

[@scooter12368]

i put in camshaft synchronizer today. all went well for awhile. the timing is good. but now the oil light is on. i ran for a minute or two and turned off. when taking old one out. i looked in hole and saw what looked the oil pump shaft sitting straight up as should. does the shaft move out of its place when pulling out synchronizer? What could have happened. what do i look for

[@user-jr1cs6ob3m]

I have 05 3.0 Ranger, Edge 50,000 miles. Did Ford ever fix this issue or should I put it on my preventative maintenance list. Or has an aftermarket made a better part.

[@Smalltechguy]

I don't have any codes on this 2000 ranger, but yet the RPM doesn't function.

[@prudhommejc]

I could do without the mod commentary, but good vid and thanks.

[@MrVetis]

I have 170k on mine in the 01 mustang v6 lol. It was chirping and i just added a lil oil. Wonder if that will affect power on take off? No damage on the sensor tho.

[@db477]

I have a 99 3.0 flex as well, she has 247000+ on it and am in the process of researching create motors and was wondering where you got yours from? also thank you for the video, very informative.

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

i had a shop do all of it. im sure they ordered it from ford. it was like $2800 for the small block..then another $800 for install. I was in the middle of college, couldnt do much myself back then, otherwise I would have just swapped in a 5.0 from an explorer. get on the ranger facebook groups and forums if you're interest in doing a V8 swap. On Facebook, look up Modified Ranger Network and Ranger V8 Swap Group.

[@351cleavland]

Great video! Did the explorer instrument cluster bolt in without and modifications?

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

yes..plug and play for many 95-03 rangers for the 96-01 explorers i believe.

[@dxta7360]

@@GCEXTREMEMN are you saying the explorer model years you mentioned can fit perfectly with the ranger instrument cluster?

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

@@dxta7360 yes plug n play

[@dxta7360]

@@GCEXTREMEMN thanks

[@davidwilder7743]

If the cam synchronizer is one tooth off will the engine start? run rough?

[@gcextreme]

+David Wilder yes possibly, but it could run fine for many miles and not throw a code for a bit...it may take the computer longer to verify it before it throws the code.

[@drowization]

Great vid but what do you do if the tab was broken off like mine was ,,,, ?

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

you need to set #1 to TDC and use the alignment tool to install the camsync

[@drowization]

+Glenn Cox Sounds good. Any quick tips on how to do that ? I tried by hand to turn by grabbing the belts but its very hard to turn,,,,

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

+drowization your crankshaft pulley may have markings for TDC..align it up under the crankshaft sensor. otherwise pull the #1 spark plug and use a long screwdriver to feel the top of the piston while someone slowly turns it and stop it when its at the top. to turn the crankshaft its better to use a socket on the bolt in the center of the large pulley

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

+drowization also removing all the spark plugs will help it turn easier too

[@drowization]

+Glenn Cox A lot of great info. Thank you so very much good sir,,,, GOD BLESS,,,,

[@skaterjoepo]

is it a v6???

[@rmdyjoe]

Have a friend who has a 96 ford explorer who needs this part changed. He keeps telling me he needs to remove the whole engine to do this. I keep laughing because i know its a tough job, but i dont think he needs to remove his engine.

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

rmdyjoe he doesnt need to remove the engine if its the camshaft synchronizer...maybe hes confusing it with the crankshaft.

[@decimuszx]

My synchronizer won't lift out no matter how hard I try (yes, the 10mm bolt is removed). Any ideas?

[@onemax13]

I'm having the same problem. Were you able to take it off?

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

u gotta twist and turn and wiggle it...it takes some effort.

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

also if your on Facebook, join Modified Ranger Network page..im on there and can help ya more

[@onemax13]

+Glenn Cox I asked to join the Modified Ranger Network page on Facebook. I was not able to remove the old Synchronizer. I tried to twist and tug but it stays stuck...

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

if you removed the bolt with the big retaining washer, u gotta twist, jiggle and wiggle the damn thing as u pull up...yes its a pain to get out and back in.

[@imreptar7038]

You film this with a potato?

[@imreptar7038]

@@GCEXTREMEMN u mad bro? Fucking triggered lol

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

Nope. Youre the asshat commenting on a cell phone video posted 6 fucking years ago. And it was a Samsung Galaxy S3 i believe...and KZbin lowers the quality. But hey, it's gotten 112k views.

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

its a maintenance item, they camsync is stated to be replaced every 80k-100k miles.

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

Yes it was running...but was hearing the "chirp of death" as its called...the squeak the thing makes when it goes bad.

[@GCEXTREMEMN]

Nope mine was running fine I was just hearing the chirp and knew it was time to replace it. Make sure you replace it with a Motorcraft one. You should get close to 80k miles...but the cheap dorman one u will be lucky to get 40k miles out of it.