How To Test The CKP Sensor (1995-2000 2.0L Dodge Stratus, Plymouth Breeze)

TEST 2: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting 8 Volts

In this test step, we'll make sure the CKP sensor is actually getting power. As I mentioned earlier, it should be getting 8 Volts DC from the fuel injection computer.

The CKP sensor connector's wire that supplies these 8 Volts to the CKP sensor is:

• 1995-1997: The orange with white stripe (ORG/WHT) wire.
• 1998-200: The orange (ORG) wire.

The ORG/WHT or ORG wire connects to the female terminal labeled with the number 1 in the illustration above.

Let's get started:

1. 1

   Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.

2. 2

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

3. 3

   Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor from its electrical connector.

4. 4

   Gently probe the connector terminal labeled with the number 1 with the red multimeter test lead and an appropriate tool.

5. 5

   When everything is set up, have your helper turn the key to the RUN position but but not crank the engine.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should register 7 to 8 Volts DC.

OK, let's interpret your test result:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered 7 to 8 Volts DC. This let's you know that the CKP sensor is getting the voltage it needs to function.

The next and last step is to make sure that the CKP sensor is getting Ground. For this test go to: TEST 3: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting Ground.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 7 to 8 Volts DC when the key was turned On. Recheck your connections and try the test again.

If the multimeter still doesn't register 7 to 8 Volts, you've found the reason why the CKP sensor is not generating a voltage signal in TEST 1.

Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial, your next step is to find the reason why these 8 Volts are missing and restore them. The most likely reasons for this missing voltage is:

• Open-circuit problem in the wire between the CKP sensor connector and the fuel injection computer.
• The CKP sensor connector is bad.
• The fuel injection computer is bad (very rare).

Solving the issue that is causing these missing 7 to 8 Volts will solve the no-start condition of the engine.

TEST 3: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting Ground

In this last test section, we'll check that the crankshaft position sensor is getting Ground.

This Ground is provided by the fuel injection computer of your Stratus (Breeze). We'll confirm it's supply to the CKP sensor by doing a quick voltage test with your multimeter.

The terminal that supplies Ground to the CKP sensor is the black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) wire of the CKP sensor's 3-wire connector.

The BLK/LT BLU wire connects to the female terminal labeled with the number 2 in the illustration above.

IMPORTANT: You got to be very careful not to short this wire to battery voltage, or the PCM will get damaged. Also, for the most accurate test result, don't use a test light to verify this voltage, use a multimeter.

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

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

3. 3

   Disconnect the crankshaft position sensor from its electrical connector.

4. 3

   Gently probe the connector terminal labeled with the number 2 with the black multimeter test lead and an appropriate tool.

5. 5

   When everything is set up, have your helper turn the key to the RUN position but not crank the engine.

6. 6

   Your multimeter should register 10 to 12 Volts DC.

Lets see what your test result means:

CASE 1: The multimeter registered 10 to 12 Volts DC. This tells you the CKP sensor is getting Ground.

You can conclude that the crankshaft position (CKP) sensor is bad if you have:

• Confirmed the CKP sensor is not generating an ON/OFF voltage signal (TEST 1).
• Confirmed the CKP sensor is getting 8 Volts DC (TEST 2).
• Confirmed in this test step the CKP sensor is getting Ground.

CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT register 10 to 12 Volts DC. Recheck your connections and try the test again.

If the multimeter still doesn't register 10 to 12 Volts, you've found the reason why the CKP sensor is not generating a voltage signal in TEST 1.

Although it's beyond the scope of this tutorial, your next step is to find the reason why this Ground is missing and restore it. The most likely reasons for this missing Ground are:

• Open-circuit problem in the wire between the CKP sensor connector and the fuel injection computer.
• The CKP sensor connector is bad.
• The fuel injection computer is bad (very rare).