My 96 Ranger 3.0 runs poorly - no power, codes indicate cam position sensor so I bought one.
Now:
How do I locate it on the engine? It must be on the cam itself but which side and how do I access it and replace it? Are there tricks to replacing the cam position sensor or is it very straight forward. I would really appreciate some help from anyone with some knowledge about this.

 

Hi clodmore, welcome to FTE!

The Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor detects the position of the camshaft in order to identifiy when piston No. 1 is on its compression stroke. The CMP sensor is used for ignition timing in the Ford DIS igntion system, but not in the EDIS igntion system. Both DIS/EDIS use the CMP signal for synchronizing the firing of sequential fuel injectors.

On the 3.0L vulcan engine, the CMP signal is generated by a single Hall-Effect magnetic switch, activated by a single "vane" spinning around by virture of a synchronized shaft which is driven by the camshaft.

The CMP sensor & synchronizer/shaft are located behind the intake manifold (i.e., back near the firewall on a Ranger) on the top of the cylinder block. If you just need to replace the sensor, it is a simple job of unplugging the electrical connector and removing the screws holding the sensor in place. Here is a sketch of the sensor to give you an idea what to look for:

 

Thanks I found it, got it replaced, it worked. You are awesome!
Thank You!

 

Glad we could help!

 

ok i got a check engine light on today so i took my 96 ranger 3.0L 5speed to idiot zone and they pulled a cam shaft postion senser code. so i went and bought this senser and instelled it, went back up to idiot zone and they cleared the history and when i fired it up it came back on, when i got home itook that stupid sensor off and its worn, looks like shaft is coming up and hitting this sensor, so any help would be great

my ranger

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96 ranger 3.0L 5speed

 

also i need to know ware i can find the shaft thinger, its the shaft that the senser sits on, and how hard is it to replace?

 

The Haynes Manual has a good description of the CPS and instructions on how to remove the CPS synchronizer/shaft. Keep in mind that a special alignment tool is recommended for the installation of the replacement synchronizer assembly, otherwise you may run into fuel timing problems.

 

ok i have that shaft out but ware can i find one? and that tool?
some how its all screw up in there any ideas on how it broke?

 

Other than the dealer, you might try Napa...I doubt that someplace like Autozone would have it.

Or you can go the junkyard and get a used shaft which would probably work OK.

If you go the the dealer or Napa, ask them about the tool...it's used for positioning the shaft properly. Maybe they will let you rent it?

To be honest, I'm not sure what would cause the shaft to break...

HTH

 

Does your CPS shaft look something like this?

 

yea it looks liek that, umm didnt try napa but will tomarrow thanks for the help

 

Hi there folks... was hoping someone out there can lend some mechanical advice on an issue I've run into with a 95 ford ranger 2wd 5spd 3.0 liter 6-banger...

..engine light came on earlier this week, and computer diag's showed a "Camshaft Position Sensor... A-Bank 1 Circuit Malfunction... PO# PO340" ..which lead me to get a new camshaft sensor.

..upon removing the old sensor I discovered a very troubling item.

It apears that the c-shaped circular portion of the tip of the camshaft that rotates around and passes through the sensor is completly sheared / worn / gone. The inside of the sensor itself is completly gone too.

..it would appear that I'll be needing a new camshaft to fix the issue.. but was hoping that perhaps there's a easier way.. that there might be some part between the camshaft itself and the sensor assembly that wont require me to pull everything off the top of the engine to replace.... any thoughts out there?

Broken CMP sensor w/guts gone, below left:
<img src="http://nanders.is-a-geek.net/ranger-camshaft/old-vs-new-sensor.jpg">

<img src="http://nanders.is-a-geek.net/ranger-camshaft/camshaft-diagram.jpg">
Above, red arrow points to CMP "vane".

 

Just tossing some more information out.. looks like from this thread.. it's the "schyncronizer vane" that's toast... so I guess my question is.. how does one go about replacing it? Will I still need to pull the camshaft?

 

Welcome to FTE!

You will have to pull the entire CMP synchronizer/shaft assembly. The vane is an integral part of it.

 

The camshaft is fine. You need to replace the synchronizer shaft (dealer item), the sensor (parts store) and you will need a special alignment tool. 1 bolt holds the shaft in place. Remove it, find top dead center for #1, use the special tool to align the shaft, slam dunk the new shaft in place (make sure you get it tight before removing the alignment tool) and put it back together. Took me about 25 minutes, but I had a friend turning the engine to locate TDC.