How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1996-1997 5.2L Dodge Dakota)

TEST 2: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has Power

The camshaft position sensor needs 5 Volts DC to produce a position signal. Without them, the CMP sensor is dead.

So, in this section we're gonna' make sure that the violet with white stripe (VIO/WHT) wire of the connector has 5 Volts DC with the Key On Engine Off (KOEO).

If your multimeter confirms that the VIO/WHT wire has 5 Volts DC, then the next step is to make sure that the camshaft position sensor is getting Ground on the black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) wire (TEST 3).

NOTE: Avoid probing the front of the female terminal with your multimeter test lead or you run the risk of damaging the terminal. Use a back-probe on the back of the connector or use a wire-piercing probe on the wire.

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Disconnect the CMP sensor from its connector.

2. 2

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

3. 3

   Turn the key on but don't crank or start the engine.

4. 4

   Connect the red multimeter test lead (using the appropriate tool) to the power wire identified with the number 1 in the photo above.
   
   This wire should be a violet with white stripe (VIO/WHT) wire.

5. 5

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

6. 6

   Your multimeter should read 4.5 to 5 Volts DC.

Let's analyze your test result:

CASE 1: 5 Volts DC are present in the VIO/WHT wire. This is the correct and expected test result.

The next and last test is to make sure that Ground is present in the BLK/LT BLU wire of the connector. For this test go to: TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has Ground.

CASE 2: 5 Volts DC ARE NOT present in the VIO/WHT wire. Without this voltage the camshaft position sensor will not produce a CMP voltage signal.

A lack of 5 Volts is usually due to an open-circuit problem in the ORG or VIO/WHT wire between the CMP sensor's connector and the fuel injection computer's connector.

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.

TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has Ground

So far, the test results of TEST 1 and TEST 2 have confirmed that:

• The camshaft position sensor is not creating an ON/OFF voltage signal (TEST 1).
• The camshaft position sensor is receiving 5 Volts DC on the VIO/WHT wire.

Now, we're gonna' make sure that Ground is present in the black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) wire.

The BLK/LT BLU wire is the one labeled with the number 2 in the photo above.

IMPORTANT: Be careful and don't short the BLK/LT BLU wire to battery power (12 Volts) 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.

NOTE: Avoid probing the front of the female terminal with your multimeter test lead or you run the risk of damaging the terminal. Use a back-probe on the back of the connector or use a wire-piercing probe on the wire.

These are the test steps:

1. 1

   Disconnect the CMP sensor from its connector.

2. 2

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

3. 3

   Turn the key on but don't crank or start the engine.

4. 4

   Connect the black multimeter test lead (using the appropriate tool) to the Ground wire identified with the number 2 in the photo above.
   
   This wire is the BLK/LT BLU wire of the connector.

5. 5

   Connect the red multimeter test lead to the positive (+) battery terminal.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should read 10 to 12 Volts DC if the BLK/LT BLU wire is providing Ground.

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

CASE 1: Ground is present in the BLK/LT BLU wire. This is the correct test result and let's you know that the camshaft position sensor is getting Ground.

The camshaft position sensor is bad and needs to be replaced if you have:

• Confirmed that the camshaft position sensor IS NOT creating an ON/OFF voltage signal (TEST 1).
• Confirmed that 5 Volts are being fed to the camshaft position sensor (TEST 2).
• Confirmed that Ground is being fed to the camshaft position sensor (this test section).

CASE 2: Ground IS NOT present in the BLK/LT BLU wire. The camshaft position sensor will not produce a CMP voltage signal if it doesn't get Ground in the BLK/LT BLU wire.

The most likely cause of this missing Ground is an open-circuit problem in the BLK/LT BLU wire between the CMP sensor's connector and the fuel injection computer's connector.

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 Camshaft Position Sensor

The camshaft position sensor (distributor pickup coil) is not an expensive ignition system component. Check out the following links and comparison shop. I think you'll save a few bucks:

More 5.2L Dodge Dakota Tutorials

You can find a complete list of 5.2L Dodge Dakota and Durango tutorials in this index:

• Chrysler 5.2L, 5.9L Index Of Articles.

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

• Blown Head Gasket Tests (1997-1999 V8 Dodge Dakota, Durango).
• How To Test The Fuel Pump (1997-1999 V8 Dodge Dakota, Durango).
• How To Test The Crankshaft Position Sensor (1997-1999 V8 Dakota, Durango).
• How To Test The Throttle Position Sensor (1997-1999 V8 Dakota, Durango).