Testing the CKP sensor on your 1994-1997 Dodge, Chrysler, or Plymouth 3.3L V6 minivan isn't complicated nor difficult.
The best part is that it can be tested with a simple multimeter —no scan tool or any other expensive diagnostic equipment needed.
In this tutorial, I'll walk you through each test, so whether you're a weekend warrior or have years of wrenching experience under your belt, you'll be able to tell if the sensor's working or not.
And if you've already decided to just swap it out, I've got you covered with where to buy one at a good price.
Contents of this tutorial:
- Symptoms Of A Bad CKP Sensor.
- How The CKP Sensor Functions.
- Should I Just Replace The CKP Sensor Without Testing It?
- Where To Buy The CKP Sensor And Save.
- Crankshaft Position Sensor Connector Pinout.
- TEST 1: Testing The CKP Signal With A Multimeter.
- TEST 2: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting 5 Volts.
- TEST 3: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting Ground.
- Installing The CKP Sensor: Setting The Correct Air Gap.
- More 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan Tutorials.
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles:
- 3.3L V6 Chrysler Town & Country: 1996, 1997.
- 3.3L V6 Dodge Caravan: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997.
- 3.3L V6 Dodge Grand Caravan: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997.
- 3.3L V6 Plymouth Voyager: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997.
- 3.3L V6 Plymouth Grand Voyager: 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997.
WIRING DIAGRAMS:
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1994-1995 3.3L Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1996-1997 3.3L Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
IGNITION SYSTEM TESTS:
- How To Test The CMP Sensor (1994-1997 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
- How To Test The Coil Pack (1990-1998 Chrysler 3.3L, 3.8L) (at: easyautodiagnostics.com).
OTHER CKP SENSOR TEST TUTORIALS:
- How To Test The CKP Sensor (1990-1993 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
- How To Test The CKP Sensor (1998-2000 3.3L V6 Chrysler, Dodge, And Plymouth Minivan).
- How To Test The CKP Sensor (2001-2003 3.3L V6 Chrysler And Dodge Minivan).
- How To Test The CKP Sensor (2004-2007 3.3L V6 Chrysler And Dodge Minivan).
Symptoms Of A Bad CKP Sensor
If the crankshaft position sensor goes bad on your 3.3L V6 Dodge, Chrysler, or Plymouth minivan, it often triggers a check engine light and causes a range of engine performance issues.
These are the most common symptoms of a bad CKP sensor to watch out for:
- Engine cranks but doesn't start: The engine spins but never catches and runs.
- Hard starts: The engine takes longer than normal to fire up.
- Stalling issues: The engine can die while idling or after it's warmed up.
- Idle is rough: Fluctuating RPM or uneven idle when stopped.
- Lack of power: Hesitation or power loss when accelerating.
- Stored CKP sensor fault code: The PCM will throw one of these if it see a CKP signal:
- OBD I Code 11: Crank Signal Not Detected.
- OBD II Code P0320: Crank Signal Missing At PCM.
How The CKP Sensor Functions
The crankshaft position sensor on this engine is a Hall-Effect design and the reason it has the three wires in its connector.
It's installed at the back of the transaxle, right where it's bellhousing bolts to the engine block.
To successfully troubleshoot the CKP sensor, this is what we need to know:
- The sensor gets its operating voltage (8 Volts) and Ground directly from the PCM, which powers it to create the CKP signal.
- As the crankshaft turns, the sensor produces a digital signal —a square wave that alternates between 0 Volts (0.3–0.5 V) and 5 Volts.
- It does this by detecting the passage of 3 sets of 4 slots cut into the flywheel as it spins past the sensor's tip.
- Since the flywheel has a total of 12 slots, the sensor will produce 12 ON (5V) pulses and 12 OFF (0V) dips during one full turn of the crankshaft.
- This ON/OFF pattern tells the PCM where the crankshaft is.
- The PCM uses the CKP signal in conjunction with the CMP signal to coordinate ignition timing and fuel injection to start and keep the engine running.
Should I Just Replace The CKP Sensor Without Testing It?
In most situations, both home mechanics and repair shops choose to replace the crankshaft position sensor outright whenever a CKP sensor DTC shows up —and truthfully, this solves the issue more often than not.
The two principal reasons this strategy makes sense is that:
- The CKP sensor isn't expensive, and you're not gonna spend all day trying to replace it.
- The sensor's tucked away in a cramped spot, and getting to the wires to test it can be a challenge —so for many (myself included), it's quicker to just replace it and be done with it.
If that's your plan, take a look at the links below for wallet-friendly replacement sensors —and don't skip this:
Still, if you prefer to confirm it's the real problem before replacing it, this tutorial will guide you through testing it step by step.
Where To Buy The CKP Sensor And Save
The following links will help you comparison shop for the crankshaft position sensor:
CKP Spacer: Air Gap Spacer
NOTE: If you're installing a new sensor or removing and reinstalling the same one, see: Installing The CKP Sensor: Setting The Correct Air Gap.
Crankshaft Position Sensor Connector Pinout
| 1994-1995 CKP Sensor Circuits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Terminal | Wire | Description |
| 1 | Orange (ORG) | 8 Volts DC |
| 2 | Black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) | Ground |
| 3 | Grey with violet stripe (GRY/VIO) | CKP Sensor Signal |
| 1996-1997 CKP Sensor Circuits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Terminal | Wire | Description |
| 1 | Orange (ORG) | 8 Volts DC |
| 2 | Black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) | Ground |
| 3 | Grey with black stripe (GRY/BLK) | CKP Sensor Signal |
TEST 1: Testing The CKP Signal With A Multimeter
The first step in diagnosing the crankshaft position sensor is to do a basic signal check by manually rotating the engine. We won't be using the starter motor.
This CKP signal test will tell us whether the sensor is creating the ON/OFF voltage pulse the PCM needs to handle spark and fuel timing.
Here's what you want to see:
- ON: 5 Volt signal.
- OFF: Drops close to 0 Volts.
This ON/OFF voltage signal is sent to the PCM through the following wire, depending on the model year of you minivan:
- 1994–1995: The grey with violet stripe (GRY/VIO) wire.
- 1996–1997: The grey with black stripe (GRY/BLK) wire.
If you don't have a multimeter or need to upgrade yours? This is the one I use and recommend: Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter (at: amazon.com).
NOTE: Don't turn the engine over with the starter motor —it rotates the engine too fast and your multimeter won't be able to see the ON/OFF voltage pulse.
CAUTION: If you need raise the front of your minivan to access the crankshaft pulley bolt, use jack stands —never rely on the jack alone.
IMPORTANT: The sensor must remain plugged in (to its engine wiring harness connector) to read the CKP signal. You'll need to either back-probe the connector or use a wire-piercing tool on the wire. Here's one I recommend: Wire Piercing Probe.
Let's get this show on the road:
- 1
Disconnect the ignition coil pack plug to prevent the engine from starting during the test.
- 2
Switch your multimeter to DC Volts mode.
- 3
Ground the black lead to the battery's negative (-) post.
- 4
Probe the signal wire with the red multimeter lead, using either a back probe at the connector or a wire-piercing probe on the wire itself.
On 1994–1995 models, the CKP signal wire is the grey with violet stripe (GRY/VIO).
On 1996–1997 models, it's the grey with black stripe (GRY/BLK).
NOTE: The CKP sensor must stay connected to its engine wiring harness connector during this test. - 5
Turn the ignition to the ON position (engine off).
- 6
Rotate the crankshaft slowly using a ratchet and a socket on the crankshaft pulley bolt.
IMPORTANT: Make sure to complete at least one full revolution of the crankshaft so the sensor passes by all the flywheel slots. - 7
Watch for voltage to flip between 5V and 0V.
0.3–0.5V is 0 Volts.
NOTE: You should see the voltage switch 12 times from 5V to 0V as the crankshaft makes one full rotation.
Let's break down what your test result tells us:
CASE 1: Voltage toggles ON and OFF. This confirms the sensor's working properly.
This result also tells us that the CKP sensor is receiving power and Ground. We don't need to continue with any other CKP sensor test.
CASE 2: No signal change. Recheck your test connections and repeat the test.
If still your multimeter doesn't report the ON/OFF voltage pulse, then our next test is to see if the sensor's getting power. Go to: TEST 2: Making Sure The CKP Sensor Is Getting 8 Volts.