Question for the Ford techs about a Ranger

[kirk]

My 1996 Ranger 4.0 has been running rough on and off lately. Yesterday it was bad enough to throw a code P0300. The manual indicates this is "missing on all cylinders due to a bad crank sensor", but then has you check for a long list of other issues, none of which are the crank sensor.

This happened while the daughter was driving it. By the time I got to it last night it ran fine. I cleared the codes.

So what does your experience tell you is going on here? Do I need a crank sensor or is there something else going on?

[RoyLPita]

Found this on this site http://www.obd-codes.com/p0300 :
symptoms of P0300 code:
Faulty spark plugs or wires
Faulty coil (pack)
Faulty oxygen sensor(s)
Faulty fuel injector(s)
Burned exhaust valve
Faulty catalytic converter(s)
Stuck/blocked EGR valve / passages
Faulty camshaft position sensor
Defective computer

Good luck.

[Joe Walsh]

The 3.0 V6 engines are known to have problems with faulty crank position sensors as they get older/higher mileage.
On the 3.0 V6 it is essentially a stubby distributor replacement that can throw erratic signals as they get older and wear out.
I think that the EFI pushrod 4.0 V6 has the same type set-up.
http://www.therangerstation.com/tech_library/camshaft_position_sensor.html

[fastblackmerc]

Replaced one on my sons 1999 Ranger - V6. Easy to do. There were 2 different types for his year / motor combination.

[kirk]

Thanks gang.