Ford Repair: ignition timing, cold air intake, smog test

Question
I have an 01 ranger 3.0 with an K&N cold air intake with an flowmaster cat back muffler.I took my truck in for a smog test today and it said the ignition timing failed.Is there anything I can to do to fix the problem not being a mechanic.I know I have a lose wire going to my starter would that have anything to do with it?  Thanks

Answer
Hi don thanks for asking. and sorry about the delay.
Who ever told you that is obvioulsy not mechanicly inclined. on these 3.0 litters they use something called distributorless ignition.... which means that there is a large coil pack and the pcm signals when to fire the spark plug. there are two sensors that control this... The Cam shaft positioning sensor and the crankshaft positioning sensor, these both signal to the power train control module where the cam and crank shafts are, so the PCM can fire the coil and plug acuatly. The PCM takes care of all the ignition, even retards and andvaces it on acceleration and deceleration. There are different regulations for the "smog test" everywhere in Canada and the United States. where I am the rules are if your vehicle fails the drive clean test and the vehicle is going to cost more than 450 dollars to repair with the diagnostics, the vehicle is elligiable for a conditional pass. So its not even worth going throught the hassle of trying to get it repaired yourself, you must take the vehicle to a licencesed emssion repair facililty and go with the guide lines that is set for your area. If you would like you can send me the results of your drive clean test and i could give you the possibilities for the failure. It should be listed as follows.....

            ASM2525                   Idle test
       limit      actual           limit     actual
HCC       90     your reslut         200     your result
No2       1.0       "    "           0.6       "    "
Nox       550       "    "          ////////blank////////


theses numbers are just ones off the top of my head. but it should be close and it may be in a diiferent order. But this is waht ours looks like. Get back to me with this and I can help you further.
good luck
Chris P