My '98 Ranger with 2.3L 4-cyl flashed up the check engine light with an error code P0340 (Camshaft Position Sensor A - Bank 1 Circuit Malfunction).

I have a Haynes repair book that says its location is on the front right of the engine block an picks up its signal from the oil pump sprocket driven by the timing belt, but I've had a couple of people insist that its connected to the distributor shaft, and that the crankshaft position sensor is what the Haynes book identifies.

Can anyone direct me to properly?

 

Your '98 2.5L doesn't have a distributer shaft, and it doesn't use a distributer. Your ignition is EDIS.

FWIW, Ford uses something akin to a distributer shaft to drive the camshaft assembly on the 3.0L and 4.0L OHV Ranger engines, however it's not really a distributor shaft, but instead a "synchronizer shaft". In any case, no such shaft exists on your 2.5L. But it may be what the other people are getting confused over.

Sounds like you are right and they are wrong.

Welcome to FTE!

 

I removed the neg battery cable and replaced the sensor as recommended in the Haynes book. However, after starting, the truck runs the same. Idle speed fluctuates up and down and sometimes dies. Touching the accelerator causes it to cough and die. Allowing it to run approximately 10 minutes and it will reach a smooth idle. The check engine light is out and hasn't come back on, but it's still not operable. Any ideas?

 

Maybe it's more of a circuit problem, corroded connector, wiring short, etc.

Look up the code HERE and you will be provided with some more things to consider.