Help! I’m helping my boy change the timing belt on his 2.3 96 ranger and also changing the crank sensor as I’m getting a code it’s bad (starts hard when cold and other symptoms). Problem is we broke the bolt off that holds the sensor in the bracket. Also the sensor will not slide up out of the bracket. I’m more worried about the bolt.

I think I have to remove the alternator to get to it but there’s barely anything sticking out to get ahold of. Even if I could the bolt is extremely tight. Any ideas? The bracket is molded to the front of the engine isn’t it? Also any idea what size the bolt is?

 

You will need to unbolt some stuff so you can get a drill to go straight into the broken bolt
Then you use a Reversible drill and a reverse drill bit, start with a smaller reverse drill bit to center the hole then go to a larger one, not too large
The reverse direction drilling/vibration will usually cause the broken bolt to start unscrewing itself
If not then when the hole is deep enough you can try an ez-out

 

It looks like I may be able to pull the front cover off first and then I can work on getting the bolt out on the work bench. I think there are four bolts that hold the front cover on and I’d have to remove the crank sprocket and gear to get the cover off. This sound about right?

 

I haven't done one before so won't be much help on that, there are a few videos on replacing timing belt on the 1998-2000 Ranger 2.5L engine which would be the same for 1995-1997 2.3l Rangers

1994 and earlier 2.3l were different

 

Got it fixed. Had to pull the front cover and drill and tap it. Put everything back together and it runs great. Thanks everyone.