How to Replace the Camshaft Position Sensor on a 2001 Dodge RAM V-6 1500

The camshaft position sensor on a 2001 Dodge Ram 1500 with a V-6 engine is located in the distributor itself. The camshaft sensor is an electromagnet on a stationary mount. A reluctor ring is attached to the distributor shaft. Designed like a shallow cup, the reluctor ring has square slots around its circumference. As the reluctor spins, when a metal piece passes in front of the sensor, voltage is created momentarily. After it passes and a slot takes its place, the voltage drops. This is the signal the computer uses to synchronize the fuel injection and the ignition.

• 1

  Lift the hood and prop it open. Remove the large plastic air duct running from the air filter box on the passenger side fenderwell to the air cleaner on the throttle body, using a screwdriver. Remove the air cleaner on the throttle body to gain access to the distributor. Remove the distributor cap using the Phillips screwdriver. Lay the cap with the wires attached behind the distributor.

• 2

  Disconnect the electrical harness connection to the distributor. Mark the position of the rotor and the distributor housing so that it can be replaced in the exact same position or it will affect the timing. The metal end of the rotor is the side you want to mark. Make a mark on the firewall or intake manifold directly in front of the rotor so when the distributor is installed, the rotor will point to this mark. Mark the distributor housing at the base where it enters the intake manifold. Make a mark on the distributor and a corresponding mark on the intake manifold. When you install the distributor, the marks should line up.

• 3

  Remove the bolt in the distributor hold-down clamp using a wrench. Twist the distributor as it is lifted out of the engine to ease its removal. Lay the new distributor next to the old. Make a mark on the new distributor to correspond with the old one.

• 4

  Install the new distributor and align the rotor with the mark made previously. Once the distributor is in the manifold and the rotor aligns with its mark, rotate the distributor housing until the mark on the base aligns with the mark on the manifold.

• 5

  Reinstall the distributor hold-down clamp by bolting and tightening it with a wrench. Reattach the electrical harness connector. Install the distributor cap and tighten with a Phillips screwdriver. Install the air cleaner on the throttle body and tighten it with a screwdriver. Reattach the air duct to the air box on the passenger side fenderwell.