2000 dodge caravan crankshaft pos sensor

[mcmicken]

i have a 2000 dodge caravan v6. There are 3 wires going to the crankshaft position sensor (gray, black & orange). I put a continuity light on all three wires with key turned on & while cranking engine over & no power. Which wires should have power while key is on & which wire should have power while engine cranking?. Where do these wires go? I was gonna replace pos sensor but shouldnt ther be power going to it?

[RIP]

From ARRC (Chiltons) wiring diagram:

pin #1 (Orange) 8 volt reference voltage from PCM

pin #2 (Black/ Lt Blue) Ground from PCM

pi #3 (Grey/Black) Signal to PCM and TCM

[mcmicken]

Thank you. This will help. When I test the orange & gray wires with a continuity light, I am not getting power to the sensor nor am I getting a signal out of it while engine is cranking. Do you think the pcm is bad or is there a fuse or relay for the sensor that may be bad? What is the TCM?

[RIP]

Best to use a volt meter to check the reference voltage (orange wire). Some sources say you should get 8 vdc and some 5 vdc. You'll need an oscilloscope to check the signal output so realistically all you can check is the reference voltage and ground. You can check continuity on the signal wire. The reference voltage is coming straight from the PCM. If you don't see the reference voltage check it at the camshaft sensor. Power from the PCM hits a splice and branches to both sensors. If continuity is good on the orange wire to the PCM and there's no voltage, the PCM may not be receiving power. Disconnect the battery a few minutes to try a reset. Sill bad? Need to check all the power inputs. Another cause could be a shorted cam or crank sensor drawing the power down. Disconnect one sensor at a time and see if the reference voltage appears at the other.

I would think if you're missing the reference voltage you must be seeing a check engine light and getting a sensor code. Are you? You've got a no start problem right? TCM is the transmission control module mounted on the passenger side inner fender wall outboard of the windshield washer fluid bottle.

[mcmicken]

Should I be testing these with the ignition on or while someone is cranking the engine over?

[jpb53]

If there is a short in that circuit the computer will in most instances shut down power to that circuit in order to protect itself. Does the MIL light up when the key is turned on; do you have communication wit a scan tool or code reader. You have not given any indication what your problem is.

[mcmicken]

I just got the car put back together. About 4 months ago I rear ended someone & destroyed the front end. I replaced the entire front clip. I visually inspected all the wires on the harness & they seem to be intact. The pcm & the fuse box next to it were snapped off at their mounting bolts. Its not getting spark. It is getting fuel though. I dont have any testing equipment except a volt meter. When I turn the ignition on, the normal lights come such as the check engine light & they go off after a couple seconds. I bought a used pcm from a salvage yard but they said it has to be taken to a dealership to be programmed on the car. I am tight on money so I want to make sure that this is the problem before I have it towed there.