Chrysler Repair: No pulses from cam sensor, is it faulty? 3.3 V6, crank sensor, straight pins

Question
Hi Roland,

I am hoping you remember our past conversations regarding my Voyager Van.  I have your last answer pasted below my new question to refresh your memory if need be.

I am getting a pulsing between 5 volts and 0.3 volts on the crank sensor, but all I get on the cam sensor is 5 volts with no pulsing as I turn the engine over by hand.  But I do have 8 volts on both the orange wires as you said.  Does this verify a faulty cam sensor?  If not what else do you suggest I check?  

Thanks again,

Mike


Your Answer:

  Hi Mike,

You have to go with the code and the power supply issues. I would verify that you have 8V on the orange wires at both the cam and the crank sensor plugs. Then I would try checking that you have a signal that pulses between 5V and 0.3V when you turn the engine over by hand using a socket wrench on the crankshaft bolt, measuring between the gray/black and black/light blue wires (use fine straight pins to pierce the insulation to reach the conductors) of the crank sensor, and also between the tan/yellow and black/light blue on the cam sensor, doing this of course with the ignition in the "run" position. The voltage should pulse several times for each full rotation of the crankshaft as you measure each sensor. If that is shown to be the case then the engine should start because you will have a spark signal and an injector pulse signal, in theory. It seems to me there is something flaky in the wiring of those sensors or the sensors themselves. By testing it with the plugs connected and using the pins to reach the conductors you should be able to really verify that you are getting those sensor signals or not.

Roland  

Answer
Hi Mike,
On its face the sensor is suspect. Nonetheless, it may be the sensor is out of position relative to the surface of the gear it is supposed to sense. So before replacing it you might try obtaining a new paper spacer and o-ring from the dealer parts department, clean the face of the sensor and apply new spacer and o-ring, install so face is in contact with gear surface, tighten retaining bolt to 105 inch-pounds. Then remeasure to see if that produces a signal. If not, then buy a new sensor.
Thanks for including the refresher message.
Roland