We're is the crank sensor on a 1998ford ranger 2.5

i know what the camshaft synchronizer part is

tying to narrow down what push rod engine is fitted there

try this image of a 3 ltr ford ranger camshaft synchronizer
install

the engine photo is out of a 97 explorer


I didnt know a 1998 model ford explorer
was fitted with a push rod engine

Crank or camshaft sensor

No it just has a distributor pickup coil, that in a sense is the crank sensor. These were a part that failed often.

you might try replacing the ABS sensor it is in the rearend housing.

There are 2 relays in the relay box that could cause this problem the EEC relay and the FUEL pump relay the best test for EEC relay back probe the throttle position sensor for the 5 volts reference signal run engine and watch to see if you lose this voltage. and fuel pump relay install a fuel pressure gauge to fuel rail service port and check to see if pressure drops to zero.

do a compression test on all cylinders, check all 4 spark plugs.

Yes, if the ignition module doesn't receive the signal from the crank sensor it won't send fire to the coils or the signal to the ecm to run the fuel pump.

Is the sensor close enough th to the crank without contacting? About.060 gap?

crank sensor or cam sensor

probably the coil , but have your alternator checked first