TEST 2: Making Sure The Crank Sensor Has Power And Ground
In this test section, we're gonna' make sure that the purple with white stripe (PPL/WHT) wire is feeding the crankshaft position sensor with power. We are also going to check out the black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) wire is feeding it with Ground.
Both power and Ground are provided by fuel injection computer on your 2.5L Dodge Dakota. By the way, power is provided in the form of 5 Volts DC.
Finding out if power and Ground are present involves a simple multimeter voltage test.
NOTE: Don't probe the front of the connector's female terminal to check for power and Ground (or you run the risk of damaging them). Use either a back probe or a wire piercing probe.
IMPORTANT: Careful not to short-circuit the Ground wire (BLK/LT BLU wire) to battery power or you'll fry your Dakota's fuel injection computer. The multimeter voltage test described below is a safe way to test the Ground circuit.
OK, these are the test steps:
- 1
Verify that the PPL/WHT wire that connects to terminal #3 of the connector has 5 Volts DC with the key on but engine off.
Connect the red multimeter test lead (using the appropriate tool) to the PPL/WHT wire of the engine wiring harness crank sensor harness connector. Connect the black multimeter test lead to the negative (-) battery terminal.
Your multimeter should read 4.5 to 5 Volts DC. - 2
Verify that the BLK/LT BLU wire that connects to terminal #2 of the connector has Ground with the key on but engine off.
Connect the black multimeter test lead (using the appropriate tool) to the BLK/LT BLU wire of the engine wiring harness crank sensor harness connector. Connect the red multimeter test lead to the positive (+) battery terminal.
Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC.
Let's take a look at what your test results mean:
CASE 1: The crank sensor is getting power and Ground. This is the correct test result.
If in TEST 1 the crankshaft position sensor DID NOT produce a voltage signal that switched from 5 Volts to 0 Volts, then this test result confirms that you've got a defective CKP sensor on your hands. Replacing the CKP sensor will also solve the P0320 trouble code lighting up the check engine light on your Dodge Dakota.
CASE 2: The crank sensor IS NOT getting power. This lack of power will cause the CKP sensor to stop working. Your next step is to find out why this power is missing and restore it.
CASE 3: The crank sensor IS NOT getting power. This lack of Ground will cause the CKP sensor to stop working. Your next step is to find out why this Ground is missing and restore it.
Intermittent Failure Of The Crankshaft Position Sensor
I've noticed that intermittent crankshaft position sensor problems are very common on all Chrysler Dodge vehicles. Since I have run across my fair share of these intermittent crank sensor problems, I'm gonna' share with you two tips that have helped me to nail down the cause of the problem every single time.
TIP 1: Check for CKP sensor failure trouble code P0320. If it is stored in the fuel injection computer's memory, and the engine stalls intermittently, replace the CKP sensor (even if it tests good) and the camshaft position (CMP) sensor.
TIP 2: Use a USB oscilloscope connected to a laptop or tablet to test the CKP sensor as you road test it.
A USB oscilloscope, that you can connect to your laptop or tablet, is a very cost-effective way to have the same diagnostic capability that professional repair shops have.
That's right, you don't have to run out and buy a $2,000 automotive specific oscilloscope to diagnose a crank sensor.
You can find a USB oscilloscope for around 60 bucks online. I can tell you from personal experience that testing the CKP sensor with an oscilloscope is the absolute best way to diagnose it.
More 2.5L Dodge Dakota Tutorials
You can find a complete list of tutorials here: Chrysler 2.5L 4-Cylinder Index Of Articles.
Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find there:
- How To Test The MAP Sensor (1996-1999 2.5L OHV Dodge Dakota).
- How To Test For A Blown Head Gasket (1993-2002 2.5L Dodge Dakota).
- How To Test The TPS (1996-1999 2.5L OHV Dodge Dakota).
- How To Test Engine Compression (1993-2002 2.5L Dodge Dakota).
- Oxygen Sensor Heater Test -P0141 (1996-1997 2.5L Dodge Dakota).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
