Chrysler Repair: Code 54: replacing cam sensor on 3.8L engine, timing chain cover, cam shaft

Question
I have 96' Chrysler T&C 3.8 engine. The van doesn't start occasionally (happens like once a week in the last month), but when I reset the computer (by disconnecting the battery), it starts fine again. In one occasion (while stopping at traffic light), the engine died, but again started after resetting the computer. The computer spits out code 54 every time. Reading some of the answers here, it seems the problem is with the cam sensor, but I can’t find it and I don't know how it looks like. Could you please provide me with some tips.

Thanks,

Answer
Hi Muhie,
The sensor is located at the front of the engine, on the right side, adjacent to the right side engine mount and the thermostat housing to which the top radiator hose is attached. The sensor itself is mostly hidden (except for the back end) from view because it is inserted thru a hole in timing chain cover, but there is a retaining tab with a slot, held in place by a bolt, and three-wire lead and plug to attach it to the wiring harness (wire colors:orange/black-light blue/yellow-tan). Once you find the bolt and wires, loosen the bolt and pull the round end of the sensor out of the hole (the slot in the tab allows the removal without removing the bolt) in the timing chain cover. It has an o-ring that may cause it to stick in the hole, so tap on the end of the sensor to free it, if necessary. The replacement sensor will have a paper spacer glued to its tip. That spacer should be left in place.  Verify that there is an o-ring that has a light coating of oil on it before you insert it in the hole. Then insert the sensor in the hole until the tip touches the cam shaft timing gear. While holding the position with the tip in contact, tighten the retaining bolt to 9 foot-pound of torque. Then connect the plug to the harness, making sure the the connector is not touching the accessory drive belt.
Once you start the engine, the friction between the paper spacer and the gear will wear away the spacer but leave the spacing between the tip and gear for the sensor to work properly.
I suspect that your present sensor is failing as it becomes
heated up, which is the common failure mode of a hall-effect crystal sensor. Then as it cools down, it recovers, which is about the amount of time it takes you to reset the computer. There is nothing specifically related to resetting the computer that solves the problem.
So that is the story.
Roland