How To Test The CMP Sensor -P0340 (2000-2007 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango)

In this guide, I'll walk you step-by-step through how to test the camshaft position (CMP) sensor on your 2000–2007 4.7L Dodge Dakota or Durango using just a basic multimeter —no fancy/expensive diagnostic tools required.

A bad CMP sensor can keep your truck from starting, cause it to stall randomly, or run rough —and it'll usually trigger a P0340 code (cam signal missing). In some cases, you may also see P0344, which points to an intermittent signal.

We'll cover how the sensor works, the symptoms of a failing one, and how to test it properly so you're not guessing or replacing parts you don't need.

But if you'd rather skip the testing and go straight to replacing it, no problem —I've included links to solid, brand-name sensors that I trust.

APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:

• 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.
• 4.7L V8 Dodge Durango: 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007.

IGNITION SYSTEM TESTS:

• How To Test The Ignition Coils (2000-2007 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).
• How To Test The CKP Sensor -P0320, P0335, P0339 (2000-2009 4.7L Dodge Dakota And Durango).

ENGINE NO-START DIAGNOSTICS:

• How To Diagnose A No Start (2000-2009 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).

Common Symptoms Of A Bad CMP Sensor (P0340, P0344)

If your 4.7L Dodge Dakota or Durango is cranking but not starting —or running rough when it does start— a faulty camshaft position (CMP) sensor might be to blame. This sensor plays a key role in helping the PCM sync fuel injection and spark timing with camshaft rotation.

When the CMP sensor fails completely, the engine won't start at all. But if it's going out intermittently, the symptoms can come and go, making diagnosis a little trickier.

Here's what you might notice when the CMP sensor starts acting up:

• Cranks but won't start: No fuel or spark because the PCM isn't getting a cam signal to sync up ignition timing and fuel injection.
• Stalls right after starting: It may fire for a second, then die once the cam signal drops out.
• Check engine light: Trouble codes like:
  • P0340: CMP Sensor Circuit Malfunction.
  • P0344: CMP Sensor Signal Intermittent.
• Rough performance: Surging, hesitation, or random misfires caused by the PCM losing track of the cylinder firing order.

What The Camshaft Position Sensor Does

On your 2000–2007 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota or Durango, the camshaft position (CMP) sensor is a 3-wire Hall-effect type sensor. It gets power (5 Volts) and Ground directly from the PCM —no relays, no fuses involved.

Here's a simplified breakdown of how it works when the engine is cranking or running:

• The camshaft rotates, driven by the timing chain.
• The CMP sensor tracks this movement and sends a digital voltage signal back to the PCM.
• This signal pulses between:
  • High (ON): Around 5 Volts.
  • Low (OFF): Drops to about 0.3–0.5 Volts.

The PCM relies on this ON/OFF signal —along with input from the crankshaft position sensor— to control spark and fuel timing. If that cam signal disappears or cuts in and out, you'll usually get a P0340 (no signal) or P0344 (intermittent signal) —and in many cases, the engine won't start at all.

Should You Replace the CMP Sensor Without Testing It?

When a P0340 or any other CMP sensor code shows up, most folks —DIYers and even repair shops— skip testing and go straight to replacing the sensor.

And to be fair, that often does the trick. If the sensor really has failed, a new one restores the cam signal, clears the code, and gets the engine running again.

So if you're short on time or just want to try the quick-fix route, no judgment —here are two CMP sensors I recommend. They fit right, perform reliably, and come from trusted brands:

• Walker Products 235-1232 CMP Sensor (Amazon affiliate link).
• Standard Motor Products PC244 CMP Sensor (Amazon affiliate link).

Using these links helps support the site and keeps tutorials like this free —and it doesn't cost you a penny extra. I really appreciate it.

But if you'd rather be sure before spending any money, I've got you covered. In the next sections, I'll walk you through exactly how to test the CMP sensor with a basic multimeter —step-by-step.

Where To Buy The CMP Sensor And Save

Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Buying through these links helps support this site at no extra cost to you. I truly appreciate it!

TEST 1: Checking The CMP Signal With A Multimeter

For our first test, we're gonna tap into the CMP signal wire to check if the camshaft position (CMP) sensor is actually sending a signal to the PCM.

Instead of using the starter motor —which spins the engine too fast for a multimeter to catch anything— we'll crank the engine slowly by hand.

I know it's a bit of a hassle, but doing it this way makes it easy to spot the voltage switching between ON and OFF as the sensor does its job.

Here's the CMP signal wire you'll be tapping into:

Dakota:

• 2000–2002: Tan with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL).
• 2003–2007: Dark blue with grey stripe (DK BLU/GRY).

Durango:

• 2000–2002: Tan with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL).
• 2003: Dark blue with grey stripe (DK BLU/GRY).
• 2004–2007: Tan with light blue stripe (TAN/LT BLU).

If you don't have a multimeter, or thinking about upgrading, here's the one I personally use and recommend:

• Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter (Amazon affiliate link).

IMPORTANT: Leave the CMP sensor plugged in for this test. You'll need to back-probe the connector or pierce the wire insulation to read the signal. If you need a probe tool, here's the one I recommend: Wire Piercing Probe.

SAFETY NOTE: If you raise the front of your truck to access the crankshaft pulley bolt, always use jack stands —never trust just a floor jack.

Here's how to check the CMP signal step-by-step:

1. 1

   Unplug all 8 ignition coils so the engine doesn't accidentally start while you're turning the crankshaft.

2. 2

   Set your multimeter to DC Volts mode.

3. 3

   Connect the black multimeter lead to the negative (-) battery terminal.

4. 4

   Back-probe or pierce the CMP sensor signal wire with the red multimeter test lead.
   
   NOTE: Double check the color of the signal wire with the wire color identification list above.

5. 5

   Use a 1/2-inch ratchet and socket to slowly rotate the crankshaft pulley clockwise by hand.

6. 6

   Watch the multimeter as you rotate. The voltage should toggle like this:
   
   - ON: around 5 Volts
   
   - OFF: drops to 0.3–0.5 Volts
   
   TIP: Make at least two full turns of the crankshaft so you don't miss the signal change.

Now, let's look at what those readings mean:

If the CMP sensor is working fine but you're still dealing with a P0340 or P0344 code, the next step is to dig deeper —the problem could lie in the wiring or in a related sensor.

Here are two helpful guides to keep you moving forward:

• How To Test The CKP Sensor - P0320, P0335, P0339 (2000–2009 4.7L Dodge Dakota And Durango).
• How To Diagnose A No Start (2000–2009 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).

CASE 2: No signal change at all. Double-check your multimeter connections and sensor wire access. If there's still no signal, move on to the next test: TEST 2: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Is Getting 5 Volts.

TEST 2: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Is Getting 5 Volts

If your first test showed no ON/OFF signal from the camshaft position (CMP) sensor, the next step is to make sure it's actually receiving power.

Without a 5 Volt reference signal from the PCM, the sensor can't work —and that's often what causes a P0340 or intermittent P0344 code.

The 5 Volts should be present at terminal 3 of the CMP sensor's connector. Depending on the model year, this wire will be a different color:

Dakota:

• 2000-2002: Orange (ORG).
• 2003-2004: Violet with white stripe (VIO/WHT).
• 2005–2007: Yellow with pink stripe (YEL/PNK).

Durango:

• 2000: Violet with white stripe (VIO/WHT).
• 2001-2002: Orange (ORG).
• 2003: Violet with white stripe (VIO/WHT).
• 2004–2007: Yellow with pink stripe (YEL/PNK).

Here's how to check for that 5V supply using a multimeter:

1. 1

   Unplug the CMP sensor connector.

2. 2

   Set your multimeter to measure DC Volts.

3. 3

   Connect the black lead of the multimeter to the negative (-) terminal of the battery.

4. 4

   Touch the red lead to terminal 3 of the sensor connector.
   
   NOTE: Double-check that terminal 3 matches the wire color for your model year.

5. 5

   Turn the key to the ON position —but don't crank the engine.

6. 6

   Read the voltage on your multimeter. You should see between 4.5 and 5.0 Volts.

Let's break down what the results mean:

CASE 1: Voltage is present (4.5 to 5V). Perfect —that means the PCM is providing power to the sensor. Next step is to confirm the CMP sensor has a solid Ground connection. Jump to: TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Is Getting Ground.

CASE 2: No voltage at terminal 3 (0V). Double-check your test setup and try again. If you're still reading 0 Volts, the sensor isn't getting power —which means it can't send a signal, and the PCM will trigger P0340.

In most cases, this means the power wire (YEL/PNK, VIO/WHT, or ORG depending on year) is damaged or open somewhere between the sensor and the PCM. Repairing that wiring fault should restore CMP sensor operation and clear the code.

TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Is Getting Ground

So far, you've verified two key things:

• TEST 1: The CMP sensor isn't producing an ON/OFF signal.
• TEST 2: It's getting a proper 5 Volt supply from the PCM.

Now it's time to check the other half of the equation —Ground. If the CMP sensor doesn't have a solid Ground, it won't be able to generate the ON/OFF signal the PCM needs. And when that happens, you'll often see a P0340 code.

Ground is delivered through terminal 2 on the sensor's connector. The wire color depends on the year of your Dodge:

Dakota:

• 2000–2004: Black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU).
• 2005–2007: Dark blue with dark green stripe (DK BLU/DK GRN).

Durango:

• 2000–2004: Black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU).
• 2005–2007: Dark blue with dark green stripe (DK BLU/DK GRN).

IMPORTANT: Never apply battery voltage to this wire —it's connected directly to the PCM, and doing so can damage it. The test below is a completely safe way to check the presence of Ground in the circuit.

Here's how to test for a good Ground connection at the CMP sensor:

1. 1

   Unplug the CMP sensor to access the connector terminals.

2. 2

   Set your multimeter to DC Volts mode.

3. 3

   Attach the red multimeter lead to the battery's positive (+) terminal.

4. 4

   Touch the black lead to terminal 2 on the CMP connector.
   
   TIP: Make sure it's the correct wire for your year (BLK/LT BLU or DK BLU/DK GRN).

5. 5

   Turn the ignition key to ON (don't crank the engine).

6. 6

   Check your multimeter reading. A good Ground will show around 10 to 12 Volts.

Let's break down what your result means:

CASE 1: Multimeter shows 10 to 12 Volts. That's the correct result. You've confirmed the CMP sensor has both power and Ground —so if it's still not producing a signal, the sensor is bad and needs to be replaced.

If you're ready to swap it out, here are two CMP sensors I personally recommend —they fit right, perform reliably, and come from trusted brands:

• Walker Products 235-1232 CMP Sensor (Amazon affiliate link).
• Standard Motor Products PC244 CMP Sensor (Amazon affiliate link).

When you use these links, it helps support the site and keeps these step-by-step tutorials free —at no extra cost to you. Thanks a ton!

CASE 2: 0 Volts or no reading. Double-check your leads and try again.

If you still get no voltage, the Ground circuit is open —most likely a break in the wire between the PCM and sensor. That would explain the P0340 code and needs to be repaired before replacing the sensor.

More 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango Tutorials

There are quite a few 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango 'how to' tutorials and wiring diagrams you can find here:

• 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango Index Of Articles.

Here's a sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:

• How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (2000-2007 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).
• How Often Should I Replace The Spark Plugs? (2000-2009 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).
• How To Test The Alternator (2001-2002 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).
• How To Test The Fuel Pump (2000-2007 4.7L V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango).