How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1992-1995 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Van)

TEST 2: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has 8 Volts

Just like any other electrical/electronic part on your V8 Dodge Ram van, the CMP sensor needs power to send out its signal.

The fuel injection computer feeds it 8 Volts through the orange (ORG) wire. In the illustration of the connector above, I've marked the terminal that connects to the 8 Volt supply wire with the number 1.

You can check for these 8 Volts with a quick and easy multimeter test.

Alright, let's get going:

1. 1

   Unplug the CMP sensor from its connector.

2. 2

   Attach the black multimeter lead to the battery's negative (-) terminal.

3. 3

   Set your multimeter to read Volts DC.

4. 4

   Turn the key to ON, but don't crank or start the engine.

5. 5

   Use the red test lead to probe the front of the terminal that connects to the ORG wire.
   
   NOTE: You'll be testing the terminal of the engine wiring harness connector —it's the one with female terminals.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should show a reading between 7.5 and 8 Volts.

Here's what your result means:

CASE 1: You're getting 8 Volts at the ORG wire. That's the result you want —it means power is making it to the sensor like it should.

The next and final step is to check for Ground on the BLK/LT BLU wire. Go here for that: TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has Ground.

CASE 2: No 8 Volts showing on the ORG wire. Without that voltage, the camshaft position sensor can't send out a signal.

Most of the time, this happens because the ORG wire has an open-circuit problem somewhere between the CMP sensor's connector and the fuel injection computer's connector.

This tutorial doesn't cover how to trace and fix that wiring problem, but that's your next move —find out what's cutting off the power and fix it.

TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has Ground

So far, in the first two tests, you've confirmed the following:

• The CMP sensor isn't switching between 5 and 0 Volts (TEST 1).
• The CMP sensor is getting power from the fuel injection computer (TEST 2).

Now, in this final test, we need to make sure the black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) wire is giving the sensor a solid Ground.

You can check this with a simple voltage test using your multimeter.

IMPORTANT: Don't let the BLK/LT BLU wire touch battery power (12 Volts), or you'll fry the fuel injection computer. The voltage test below is a safe and accurate way of checking for Ground in the wire.

Follow these steps:

1. 1

   Unplug the CMP sensor from its connector.

2. 2

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

3. 3

   Set the multimeter to DC Volts mode.

4. 4

   Turn the ignition key to ON, but don't crank or start the engine.

5. 5

   Use the black lead to probe the front of the terminal going to the BLK/LT BLU wire.
   
   NOTE: You'll be testing the terminal of the engine wiring harness connector —it's the one with female terminals.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should show 10 to 12 Volts if the wire is providing a good Ground.

Let's break down what your results mean:

CASE 1: You got Ground at the BLK/LT BLU wire. That's the correct result —it means the CMP sensor is getting proper Ground.

If the sensor's not putting out a voltage signal and:

• There's no ON/OFF signal from it (TEST 1),
• The ORG wire is delivering 8 Volts (TEST 2), and
• The BLK/LT BLU wire is giving Ground (this test),

Then the camshaft position sensor is bad. It needs to be replaced.

CASE 2: There's no Ground at the BLK/LT BLU wire. If that wire isn't Grounded, the CMP sensor can't send out its voltage signal.

The usual cause is an open-circuit in the BLK/LT BLU wire somewhere between the CMP connector and the fuel injection computer connector.

Even though this tutorial doesn't cover how to trace that Ground fault, your next step is to figure out what's cutting it off —and fix it.

More 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Vans Diagnostic Tutorials

I've written quite a few 'how to' diagnostic tutorials for the V8 Dodge Ram van and you can find them in this index:

• 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Van Index Of Articles.

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

• How To Test The Fuel Pump (1992-2003 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Van).
• How To Test The MAP Sensor (1992-1997 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Van).
• How To Test The Intake Air Temp (IAT) Sensor (1992-1997 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Van).
• How To Test The TPS (1992-1997 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Van).