Cam sensor troubles...

[darkjedi138]

Ive recently had the cam sensor and synchronizer replaced in my 2002 ranger. It ran fine for a day and then it started bucking and jerking again and eventually the check engine light came on again for the same problem. It doesn't seem to do it all the time but somewhat frequently. Has anyone had a similar problem? I will end up taking it back to the garage but im wondering if it can be something bad besides the new sensor and synchronizer. any help or thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[Fordzilla80]

Possibly improper installation. The truck may be out of time.

[darkjedi138]

thanks for the reply. It seems like it only does it when the vehicle is cold and tends to run better when its been on for awhile. im not sure if that makes a difference or not in diagnosing the issue. I had it out today and when we first starting driving it did it and then the check engine light came back on. Shortly after it stopped jerking but the check engine light remained on. Im trying to avoid the ford garage because i dont want to have to mortgage my home or sell my children to get it fixed properly, I may have no choice though. Its a shame too because its an 02 ranger with only 75k on it.

[Fordzilla80]

Do you happen to have the code it is throwing?

[darkjedi138]

the first code was P0340 cam sensor. I took it in and they replaced the cam sensor and not the synchronizer. the next day it started jerking again but the check engine light never came back on. I took it to a different garage because the original garage didnt have the tool to pull the synchronizer. The light never came back on for the second garage before or after changing it. I had them also change the serpentine belt and it did in fact eliminate the squeaking. I drove it home with no problems and this morning (the day after I picked it up) it started with the jerking again and the check engine light did come on this time. I took it to autozone and they read it with their computer and it said cam sensor again but their machine doesnt have the same codes . I looked at the screen though and he showed me it did say cam sensor and something about idle and lean.

[Fordzilla80]

Ahhh, very important info right there. There could be a few things going wrong. Your cps code may not have been cleared by the garage, hence why it is still in there. Or, your cam sync/cam position sensor are out of line, causing your timing to be off, possibly resulting in a lean condition. Or, you have something else causing your lean condition. Either way, all the above could possibly cause your bucking and jerking.

[darkjedi138]

ok well ill take it back to the garage and see what they say. I hope itll be ok to drive for a couple of days until i can get it back there. Ill update everyone so I can at least help someone else if they run into a similar situation.

[Fordzilla80]

As long as you have oil pressure, you shall be okay, the truck will just keep running poorly.

[darkjedi138]

you were correct, the part had slipped and the truck was out of time, took it back to the shop , they reinstalled it and it has been running fine since.