How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 3.9L V6 Dodge Dakota)

The camshaft position (CMP) sensor is located in the distributer along the 1992-1997 3.9L V6 Dodge Dakota. And examination it is not hard.

In this tutorial, I'm gonna' show you how to test it using a multimeter. With your test results you'll be able to well observe out if it's defective or non.

NOTE: The camshaft position detector is alias the distributor pickup coil.

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles since they use the direct same camshaft set down (CMP) sensing element:

  1. 3.9L V6 Dodge Dakota: 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997.

Inflammation COIL TEST: The following instructor will serve you test the inflammation coil: How To Test The Ignition System (1992-1997 3.9L Dodge Dakota).

WIRING DIAGRAM: You can find the ignition system wiring diagrams Hera:

  1. Ignition Racing circuit Plot (1992-1993 3.9L Dodge Dakota).
  2. Ignition System Circuit Plot (1994-1995 3.9L Dodge Dakota).
  3. Ignition Scheme Circuit Plot (1996 3.9L Dodge Dakota).
  4. Ignition System of rules Electrical circuit Diagram (1997-1999 3.9L Dodge Dakota).

Symptoms Of A Bad Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor

The fuel injection system electronic computer, happening your 1992-1997 3.9L Dodge Dakota uses the camshaft set out (CMP) sensor signal in combination with the crankshaft put (CKP) sensor indicate to take off injecting fuel.

The fuel injection system computer also needs the CMP betoken to start activating the ignition system curl. So when the camshaft place detector fails, the engine is non gonna' start attributable a lack of spark and a lack of fuel injection.

In most cases, when the camshaft position sensor fails, the fuel injection system computer will laid a trouble code. If it does, you'll see a:

  1. Code 54: Nary Camshaft Synchronise Signal At PCM (1994-1995 OBD I organisation).
  2. P0340: No Camshaft Signal At PCM (1996-1997 OBD Two system).

If you have a code reader or a scan puppet, check for codes. To test the actual camshaft position sensor, a scan tool is not required.

Circle Descriptions Of The Camshaft Position Sensing element

How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 3.9L V6 Dodge Dakota)

The camshaft position sensing element has 3 wires future day forbidden of its electrical connector. One wire supplies big businessman. One telegraph supplies Ground. And the other wire carries the CMP signal to the fuel injection computer.

In the tables below you'll find a short description of each of the 3 wires:

1992-1995 Camshaft Position Sensor Connector
Tholepin Wire Color Description
1 Orange (ORG) Powerfulness (8 Volts DC)
2 Black with light blue grade insignia (BLK/LT BLU) Sensor Ground
3 Gray with black stripe (GRY/BLK) CMP Indicate
1996-1997 Camshaft Position Sensor Connection
Rowlock Wire Color Description
1 Chromatic with white stripe (VIO/WHT) Office (5 Volts DC)
2 Black with light blue chevron (BLK/LT BLU) Sensor Ground
3 Tan with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL) CMP Signal

The following ignition organization wiring diagrams will further assist you distinguish the camshaft position sensor circuits:

  1. Kindling System Circuit Diagram (1992-1993 3.9L Dodge Dakota).
  2. Ignition System Circuit Diagram (1994-1995 3.9L Dodge Dakota).
  3. Ignition Tour Diagram (1996 3.9L Circumvent Dakota).
  4. Ignition System Circuit Diagram (1997-1999 3.9L Dodge Dakota).

Where To Buy The Camshaft Situation Sensor

Checkout time the following links and comparability give away the camshaft position sensor for your 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 Dodge Dakota:

TEST 1: Examination The Camshaft Set up Point

Testing The Camshaft Position Signal. How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997 3.9L V6 Dodge Dakota)

To start sour our camshaft position (CMP) detector diagnostic, we'rhenium gonna' avow that the CMP sensor is creating an ON/OFF voltage signal as we crank the locomotive engine.

ON is when the CMP signal reads 5 Volts DC and Cancelled is when it reads 0 Volts DC (along the multimeter).

If the camshaft put across sensor is working correctly, you're gonna' find the multimeter switch between 5 V and 0 Volts as you crank the engine.

If the camshaft position sensor is bad, it's gonna' stay stuck producing a single voltage prize (usually 0 Volts) as you crank the locomotive engine.

We'll fulfi this by copulative our multimeter to the chromatic with yellow banding (TAN/YEL) cable of the CMP sensor's engine wiring tackle connector. In the photo above, the TAN/YEL wire is known with the number 3.

In front we start let Pine Tree State tell you that your 3.9L Dodge Dakota comes equipped with a camshaft place sensing element and a crankshaft position sensor. The camshaft set up sensor is located in the distributor and the crankshaft position sensor is latched onto the transmission bell housing. Both of the connectors are in the same location so take care to test the correct connector.

IMPORTANT: The camshaft military position (CMP) sensor must exist connected to its engine rule connector for this test to work. You'll need to connect your multimeter test lead to a back probe operating room a telegraph piercing probe to translate the CMP signalize. You can see an example of a cable piercing probe here: Wire Cacophonic Examine Review (Power Dig into PWPPPPP01).

NOTE: Don't wealthy person a multimeter or need to upgrade yours? Feel out my recommendation: Buying A Digital Multimeter For Automotive Diagnostic Examination.

These are the test steps:

  1. 1

    Locate your multimeter in Volts DC modal value.

  2. 2

    Disconnect the kindling coil from its electrical connection. This is an important safety precaution!

    NOTE: Don't remove the distributor cap from the distributor. The allocator cap must be in situ to hold devour the camshaft office sensor.

  3. 3

    With the reddened multimeter run lead, examine the sunburn with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL) wire of the Cam River sensor connecter.

    NOTE: The camshaft position sensor moldiness stay connected to its engine wiring harness connective to exist able to scan its point.

  4. 4

    Connect the black multimeter test result flat on the battery counter (-) terminal.

  5. 5

    Hold your helper crank the engine for a few seconds once the multimeter test lead connections are set dormy.

  6. 6

    Your multimeter should see the voltage electrical switch 'tween 5 Volts and 0 Volts DC as the engine is cranking.

Let's analyse your CMP signal tryout result:

CASE 1: The multimeter read the indicated ON/OFF DC voltage. This is the correct and expected test result and tells you that the camshaft view sensor is functioning correctly.

Since the camshaft position sensor IS NOT nonfunctional, something else is causing your 3.9L V6 Dakota to not showtime.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT read the indicated ON/OFF DC voltage. This test result usually means that the camshaft position sensor is defective.

Before you replace it, pass wate sure it's getting magnate and Primer. For the next test go to: Trial run 2: Making Trusty The CMP Sensing element Has Power.