TEST 2: Making Sure The Crank Sensor Has Power And Ground
Now that you have confirmed that the crankshaft position sensor is not creating its ON/OFF signal, the next step is to make sure it's getting power and Ground.
Both power (5 Volts DC) and Ground are provided by your Dakota or Durango's fuel injection computer.
Power is fed to the CKP sensor thru' the violet with white stripe (VIO/WHT) wire of the engine wiring harness connector.
Ground is fed to the CKP sensor thru' the black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) wire of the engine wiring harness connector.
IMPORTANT: Be careful and don't short the Ground wire to battery power or you'll fry the fuel injection computer. The multimeter voltage test I'm suggesting below (for testing the Ground circuit) is a safe and accurate test.
OK, these are the test steps:
- 1
Disconnect the CKP sensor from its connector and place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 2
Verify that the VIO/WHT wire that connects to terminal #1 of the connector has 5 Volts DC with the key on but engine off (KOEO).
Connect the red multimeter test lead (using the appropriate tool) to the wire that connects to terminal #1 of the 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. - 3
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 wire that connects to terminal #2 of the 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 and expected test result.
You can now conclude that the crankshaft position is defective if you have: verified that it is NOT producing its ON/OFF signal and that IT IS getting power and Ground.
CASE 2: The crank sensor IS NOT getting power. This lack of power will stop the crank sensor from functioning.
Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to check for this missing power, your next step is to find out why it's missing and restore it.
CASE 3: The crank sensor IS NOT getting Ground. This lack of Ground will stop the crank sensor from functioning.
Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to check for this missing Ground, your next step is to find out why it's missing and restore it.
Where To Buy The Crankshaft Position Sensor
Checkout the following links and comparison shop the crankshaft position sensor for you 1997, 1998, or 1999 V8 Dodge Dakota:
More V8 Dodge Dakota And Durango Tutorials
You can find a complete list of 5.2L and 5.9L Dodge Dakota and Durango tutorials in this index:
Here's a small sample of the tutorials you'll find in the index:
- How To Test The Blower Motor (1997-1999 Dakota, Durango).
- How To Test The Blower Motor Resistor (1997-1999 Dodge Dakota And Durango).
- How To Test The Starter Motor (1997-1999 Dakota).
- How To Test Engine Compression (Chrysler 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L) (at: troubleshootmyvehicle.com).
- How To Test The Ignition Coil -No Start Tests (Chrysler 3.9L, 5.2L, 5.9L) (at: troubleshootmyvehicle.com).
If this info saved the day, buy me a beer!
