The camshaft position sensor, which is located inside the distributor, is a pretty easy component to test on the 1992-1995 5.2L/5.9L Dodge Ram 1500/2500 pickup.
With the help of this tutorial, you'll be able to find out if it's bad or not in 3 tests. All 3 tests are done with a multimeter.
NOTE: The camshaft position sensor is also known as the distributor pickup coil.
Contents of this tutorial:
- Symptoms Of A Bad Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor.
- What The Distributor Pick-up Coil Does.
- Circuit Descriptions Of The Camshaft Position Sensor.
- Where To Buy The Camshaft Position Sensor.
- TEST 1: Testing The Camshaft Position Signal.
- TEST 2: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has 8 Volts.
- TEST 3: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has Ground.
- More 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickups Diagnostic Tutorials.
APPLIES TO: This tutorial applies to the following vehicles since they use the exact same camshaft position (CMP) sensor:
1989-1993:
- Dodge Ram 150 Pickup 5.2L V8: 1992, 1993.
- Dodge Ram 250 Pickup 5.2L V8: 1992, 1993.
- Dodge Ram 150 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1992, 1993.
- Dodge Ram 250 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1992, 1993.
- Dodge Ram 350 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1992, 1993.
1994-1995:
- Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 5.2L V8: 1994, 1995.
- Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 5.2L V8: 1994, 1995.
- Dodge Ram 1500 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1994, 1995.
- Dodge Ram 2500 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1994, 1995.
- Dodge Ram 3500 Pickup 5.9L V8: 1994, 1995.
OTHER CMP SENSOR TESTS:
- How To Test The Distributor Pickup Coil (1989-1991 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup).
- How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1996-1997 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup).
- How To Test The Camshaft Position Sensor (1998-2003 5.2L, 5.9L V8 Dodge Ram Pickup).
WIRING DIAGRAM: You can find the ignition system wiring diagrams here:
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1992-1993 5.2L V8 Dodge Pickup And Van).
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1994-1995 5.2L V8 Dodge Pickup).
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1994-1995 5.9L V8 Dodge Pickup).
Symptoms Of A Bad Camshaft Position (CMP) Sensor
The fuel injection computer, on your 5.2L/5.9L Dodge pickup, uses the camshaft position sensor in conjunction with the crankshaft position sensor to start activating the ignition coil and the fuel injectors.
Usually, but not always, when the CMP sensor fails, you'll see one of the following trouble code stored in the computer's memory:
- Code 11: No Crankshaft Reference Signal Detected During Cranking.
- Code 54: No Cam (Fuel) Sync Signal Detected.
Here are some other issues you might run into:
- Cranks but doesn't fire up: The engine cranks, but nothing else happens —no spark, no fuel. That's because the injectors stay off and the ignition coil isn't powered.
- Random stalling: It might run fine one moment, then suddenly shut off —especially while idling or at low speeds.
- Check Engine Light (CEL) shows up: If the PCM logs a code 11 or 54, it'll trigger the check engine light.
- Misfiring or rough idle: A weak or jumpy signal from the sensor can throw off fuel delivery, causing misfires, hesitation, or a shaky idle.
- Hard to start (cold or hot): It may take several tries to finally get the engine to start with a CMP sensor that's failing but not totally dead.
- Sluggish throttle or slow acceleration: You may feel a delayed throttle response when you step on the gas when the sensor's failing but not completely dead.
What The Distributor Pick-up Coil Does
The CMP sensor on your 1992-1995 V8 Dodge Ram pickup is mounted inside the distributor and plays a critical role in engine operation.
It sends a reference signal to the PCM (engine computer) that controls both fuel injection and spark while the engine is cranking or running.
Here's what the pick-up coil does in more detail:
- Works with the crankshaft sensor to control timing:
- The PCM needs input from both the camshaft position sensor (CMP) and the crankshaft position sensor (CKP) to manage fuel injection and spark timing.
- The CKP provides engine RPM, while the CMP provides cylinder identification.
- Creates the PCM's reference point:
- As the engine turns, the CMP sensor sends a digital ON/OFF voltage signal —also known as the Fuel Sync signal.
- This signal tells the PCM which cylinder is on its compression stroke, so it knows when to fire each injector.
- Controls fuel injection and ignition:
- Using the CMP signal, the PCM enables the ASD relay and fuel pump relay.
- It also uses this signal to trigger the fuel injectors and ignition coil at the right time.
- Loss of CMP signal shuts everything down:
- If the PCM stops receiving input from the CMP sensor, it disables the ASD and fuel pump relays.
- This cuts power to the fuel pump, injectors, and ignition coil, which causes a no-start condition. The engine cranks, but it won't run.
Circuit Descriptions Of The Camshaft Position Sensor
The camshaft position sensor needs power and Ground to activate and produce its signal. As such, it has 3 wires coming out of its electrical connector.
In the table below, you'll find a short description of each of the 3 wires:
| 1992-1995 Camshaft Position Sensor Connector | ||
|---|---|---|
| Pin | Wire Color | Description |
| 1 | Orange (ORG) | 8 Volts DC |
| 2 | Black with light blue stripe (BLK/LT BLU) | Sensor Ground |
| 3 | Tan with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL) | CMP Signal |
The following ignition system wiring diagrams will further help you identify the camshaft position sensor circuits:
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1992-1993 5.2L V8 Dodge Pickup And Van).
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1994-1995 5.2L V8 Dodge Pickup).
- Ignition System Wiring Diagram (1994-1995 5.9L V8 Dodge Pickup).
The camshaft position sensor creates an ON/OFF voltage signal as the engine turns. ON is when the CMP signal is at 5 Volts DC. OFF is when the CMP signal is at 0 Volts.
The cool thing is that we can see this ON/OFF voltage with a multimeter, and this is how we're gonna' test it.
Where To Buy The Camshaft Position Sensor
The following links will help you comparison shop for the camshaft position sensor (distributor pick-up coil). I think you'll save a few bucks:
TEST 1: Testing The Camshaft Position Signal
To start our camshaft position sensor diagnostic, we're gonna' see if the sensor is producing an ON/OFF voltage signal as the engine cranks.
As I mentioned before, ON is when the voltage signal is at 5 Volts and OFF is when it's at 0 Volts.
The wire we need to connect the multimeter to is the tan with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL) wire of the 3-wire connector. On some 1992-1993 Dodge pickups, this CMP signal wire is a gray (GRY) wire.
If the camshaft position sensor IS NOT producing an ON/OFF voltage signal, then the next step is to make sure that it's getting 8 Volts DC (in TEST 2).
IMPORTANT: The camshaft position sensor must be connected to its engine harness connector for this test to work. You'll need to use a back probe or a wire piercing probe to read the CMP voltage signal within the wire. You can see an example of a wire piercing probe here: Wire Piercing Probe Review (Power Probe PWPPPPP01).
NOTE: Don't have a multimeter or need to upgrade yours? Check out my recommendation: Tekpower TP8268 AC/DC Auto/Manual Range Digital Multimeter (at: amazon.com).
These are the test steps:
- 1
Connect the black multimeter test lead directly on the battery negative (-) terminal.
- 2
Disconnect the ignition coil from its electrical connector. This is an important safety precaution!
NOTE: Don't remove the distributor cap from the distributor. The distributor cap must be in place to hold down the camshaft position sensor. - 3
Place your multimeter in Volts DC mode.
- 4
With the red multimeter test lead, probe the tan with yellow stripe (TAN/YEL) wire of the cam sensor connector.
NOTE: The camshaft position sensor must remain connected to its engine wiring harness connector to be able to read its signal. - 5
Have your helper crank the engine for a few seconds once the multimeter test lead connections are set up.
- 6
Your multimeter should see the voltage switch between 5 Volts and 0 Volts DC as the engine is cranking.
Let's examine your CMP signal test result:
CASE 1: The ON/OFF voltage signal is present. This is the correct and expected test result and tells you that the camshaft position sensor is functioning correctly.
If your 5.2L/5.9L V8 Dodge Ram pickup is not starting, then you can conclude that the camshaft position sensor IS NOT behind the problem.
CASE 2: The multimeter DID NOT read the indicated ON/OFF DC voltage. This test result usually means that the camshaft position sensor is defective.
Before you replace it, make sure it's getting power and Ground. For the next test go to: TEST 2: Making Sure The CMP Sensor Has 8 Volts.