in oct 09 the check engine light came on suddenly on my 08 ford ranger sport. the truck was running fine but took it to the autoshop and they found nothing wrong with the truck and the light went off. they said if it happens again the camshaft sensor needs to be replaced. today the check engine light came on again and same thing the truck is running good. my question is could it be that sensor or something else. my worry is i can not get the truck in to the auto shop til saturday morning. is it going to blow up on me?? help
No your Ranger isn't likely to "blow up", if it's running ok.
Do you have the old computer trouble code number the gararge found, that caused them to think the cam sensor might be acting out????
The CEL coming on & then turning off, says the computer detected a problem with the vehicles emissions system, but the problem cleared up, so the computer turned the light off, BUT it had stored a trouble code in it's Keep Alive Memory (KAM) & it would have stayed there for a lengthly number of drive cycles (like 40, or so) & if the problem didn't reoccur, the computer will erase the code number, so the old origional trouble code is likely gone.
Now that the CEL is on again, the computer has detected & stored another trouble code in KAM & you can take it to most any autoparts store, for a no cost computer trouble code scan.
Then write down All of the code Numbers they find & post them here & we'll all do our best to give you a good diagnosis.
Many times an intermittent CEL can be caused by a spark plug misfire, loose gas cap, misbehaving oxygen sensor, ect, ect, so we need the trouble code Number/s, as clues to make a better guess.
If the engine begins to miss or run rough, then you'll want to not do any lengthly drives, or long high speed highway runs, as this could cause the cat coverter to run hot.
But seeing as how you say it's running ok, for right now I wouldn't worry too much.
Just go without delay & have the computer scanned for trouble codes (but not at the gararge you went to) & post the trouble code numbers here.
If the light turns off again, before you can have the autoparts store do the scan, explain that you have an intermittent light & they'll likely do the scan.
Some won't do a scan if the CEL is off, but some will if we're having problems.
Just don't let them sell you any parts, until you get your diagnosis here.
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99 Ranger XLT 4dr 4x2 4.0L 5spd Auto 3.55L/S Payload Pkg2 Tow Pkg
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