Testing The Crankshaft Position Sensor (1996-2002 2.4L Caravan, Grand Caravan, Voyager, Grand Voyager)

TEST 3: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting Ground

So far, your CKP sensor tests have confirmed that:

• The CKP sensor is not producing an ON/OFF voltage signal (TEST 1).
• The CKP sensor is receiving 5 or 8 Volts DC (TEST 2).

In this last test section we're gonna' make sure that the CKP sensor is receiving Ground from the fuel injection computer.

The wire that supplies Ground to the CKP sensor is the wire labeled with the number 2 in the photo above.

The following table will help you identify the CKP sensor's Ground wire on your specific vehicle:

Vehicle	Wire Color
2.4L Chrysler Voyager: 2001, 2002	blue with dark green stripe (BLU/DK GRN)
2.4L Dodge Caravan: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000	black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU)
2.4L Dodge Caravan: 2001, 2002	blue with dark green stripe (BLU/DK GRN)
2.4L Dodge Grand Caravan: 1996, 1997	black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU)
2.4L Plymouth Grand Voyager: 1996, 1997	black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU)
2.4L Plymouth Voyager: 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000	black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU)

IMPORTANT: You got to be very careful not to short this wire to power (battery voltage) or you'll fry the fuel injection computer. The multimeter voltage test I'm suggesting in the test instructions is a safe way to test for Ground in the wire.

OK, to get this show on the road, this is what you need to do:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

   Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor from its electrical connector.

3. 3

   Gently probe the terminal that connects to the wire identified with the number 2 with the black multimeter test lead and an appropriate tool.

4. 4

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

5. 5

   When everything is set up, have your helper turn the key to the On position but don't crank the engine.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC.

OK, let's interpret your test results:

CASE 1: The CKP sensor is receiving Ground. This is the correct test result.

You can conclude that the crankshaft position sensor is bad and needs to be replaced if you have:

• Confirmed that the CKP sensor is not producing an ON/OFF voltage signal (TEST 1).
• Confirmed that the CKP sensor is receiving 5 Volts DC (TEST 2).
• Confirmed that the CKP sensor is receiving Ground.

CASE 2: The CKP sensor IS NOT receiving Ground. Without Ground, the CKP sensor will not produce an ON/OFF 5 Volt signal.

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

Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial to troubleshoot this missing Ground, your next step is to find out why it's missing and resolve the issue.