How To Test The Distributor Pick-Up Coil (1990-1995 2.5L SOHC Dodge Dakota)

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.

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:

• Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1990-1993 2.5L Dodge Dakota).
• 1994-1995 2.5L Dodge Dakota Ignition System Wiring Diagram.

TEST 1: Testing The Pick-Up Coil's Signal

The pick-up coil creates an ON/OFF signal that can be easily tested with a multimeter in Volts DC mode.

To be a bit more specific: ON is when the multimeter reads 5 Volts and OFF is when it reads 0 Volts.

The wire that carries this crankshaft position signal to your Dodge Dakota's fuel injection computer is the gray with black stripe (GRY/BLK) wire of the engine wiring harness connector.

This wire connects to the female terminal labeled with the number 2 in the photo above.

For our first test we're gonna' see if the pick-up coil's signal is present or not.

IMPORTANT: The pick-up coil must be connected to its engine harness connector for this test to work. You'll need to connect your multimeter test lead to a back probe or a wire piercing probe to read the pick-up coil's signal. You can see an example of a wire piercing probe here: Wire Piercing Probe Review (Power Probe PWPPPPP01).

NOTE: It's important that you turn the engine by hand when testing for the pick-up coil's signal. Do not use the starter motor.

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

   Disconnect the ignition coil from its electrical connector. This is an important safety precaution!

3. 3

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the GRY/BLK wire of the pick-up coil's engine wiring harness connector.
   
   The gray with black stripe (GRY/BLK) wire connects to the female terminal labeled with the number 3 in the photo above.

4. 4

   Connect the black multimeter test lead directly on the battery negative (-) terminal.

5. 5

   Turn the ignition key to the ON position but don't crank the engine. This will power up the pick-up coil.

6. 6

   Turn the engine by hand using the 1/2" ratchet wrench and appropriate socket on the crankshaft pulley.
   
   IMPORTANT: For the accuracy of the test, do not use the starter motor.

7. 7

   Your multimeter will read an ON/OFF voltage of 5 Volts and 0 Volts (if the pick-up coil is functioning correctly).
   
   ON is when the multimeter reads 5 Volts DC and OFF is when it reads 0 Volts DC.

Let's take a look at what your test results mean:

CASE 1: The multimeter read the indicated ON/OFF DC voltage. This is the correct test result and lets you know that the pick-up coil is functioning correctly.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT read the indicated ON/OFF DC voltage. Without a crankshaft position signal, the fuel injection computer will not activate the ignition coil.

Your next step is to make sure that the pick-up coil is getting 8 Volts and Ground. For the first test go to: TEST 2: Making Sure The Pick-Up Coil Is Getting 8 Volts.