This tutorial will help you test the pick-up coil located inside the distributor on the 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995 2.5L SOHC Dodge Dakota.
The pick-up coil can easily be tested with just a multimeter and in this tutorial, I'll show you how. With your test result you'll be able to find out if it's defective or not.
Contents of this tutorial at a glance:
- Symptoms Of A Bad Pick-Up Coil.
- OBD I Trouble Code 11: No Crank Reference Signal At PCM.
- What Tools Do I Need To Test The Pick-Up Coil?
- Where To Buy The Pick-Up Coil.
- Circuit Descriptions Of The Pick-Up Coil.
- TEST 1: Testing The Pick-Up Coil's Signal.
- TEST 2: Making Sure The Pick-Up Coil Is Getting 8 Volts.
- TEST 3: Making Sure The Pick-Up Coil Is Getting Ground.
- More 2.5L Dodge Dakota Tutorials.
You can find this tutorial in Spanish here: Cómo Probar La Bobina Captadora (1990-1995 2.5L Dodge Dakota) (at: autotecnico-online.com).
The following wiring diagrams may come in handy:
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1990-1993 2.5L Dodge Dakota).
- 1994-1995 2.5L Dodge Dakota Ignition System Wiring Diagram.
Symptoms Of A Bad Pick-Up Coil
When the pick-up coil fails in your 2.5L Dodge Dakota, the engine is not gonna' start due to a lack of spark.
This is due to the fact that the fuel injection computer needs the pick-up coil's signal to start activating the ignition coil.
If the pick-up coil's signal is not present, then the fuel injection computer does not activate the igntion coil and your Dakota's engine does not start due to a lack of spark.
OBD I Trouble Code 11: No Crank Reference Signal At PCM
When the pick-up coil fails on your 1994-1995 2.5L Dodge Dakota, you may see the following trouble code registered in the fuel injection computer's memory:
- Code 11: No Crank Reference Signal At PCM.
Here's a brief explanation of what this trouble code is trying to tell you.
Trouble Code 11: No Crank Reference Signal At PCM: Tells you that your Dodge Dakota's fuel injection computer is NOT receiving a crankshaft position sensor signal (from the distributor's pick-up coil) when the engine is being cranked.
Trouble code 11 usually sets when the pick-up coil fails and does not generate its signal.
What Tools Do I Need To Test The Pick-Up Coil?
You don't need any expensive diagnostic equipment to accurately test the pick-up coil on your 2.5L Dodge Dakota. Here's a list of the things you'll need:
- Mulimeter.
- If you don't have one, check out my recommendation here: Buying A Digital Multimeter For Automotive Diagnostic Testing.
- Wire piercing probe or a back probe.
- You can see an example of this tool here: Wire Piercing Probe.
- Hand tools.
Where To Buy The Pick-Up Coil
Checkout the following links and comparison shop the distributor pick-up coil:
NOTE: The pick-up coil indicated above fits the 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, and 1995 2.5L SOHC Dodge Dakota.
Circuit Descriptions Of The Pick-Up Coil
The pick-up coil is a 3-wire Hall Effect sensor. The connector on the pick-up coil itself has round male terminals (see photo 1 of 2). The engine wiring harness connector has round female terminals (see photo 2 of 2).
Below is a brief description of the three wires that connect to the distributor's pick-up coil (crankshaft position sensor).
| Pick-Up Coil Connector | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pin | Wire Color | Description |
| 1 | Orange (ORG) | 8 Volts |
| 2 | Black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) | Sensor Ground |
| 3 | Gray with black stripe (GRY/BLK) | Crankshaft Position Signal |
You can check out the ignition system wiring diagram here:
