Hello, I have a 98 dodge ram 1500 5.9l So i was having problems with my engine running at temp, which was effecting my cab heat. So i changed the water pump, because it was extremely loud. I was hoping that was the problem with the heat. Now i cant even get the thing to start to see if it works. I'm not getting any spark out of the coil pack. I cant get anything out of the coil pack. I cant figure it out. I have changed the coil pack and still nothing. I get around 8 volts going into the pack at the plug. I have hooked up a code reader and the check engine is saying its a (P0340) Which is, camshaft sensor in bank 1 circuit malfunction. I call the local car parts store and they say that there isn't a camshaft sensor. I'm so lost. I'm done with it for now. That's why i am turning to you guys. Please help.

 

Your local parts store is wrong. There IS a camshaft position sensor, hiding away in the distributor.

You should first pore over the top of the engine looking for wiring problems. Look for unplugged/loose connectors, pinched or broken wires, that kind of thing. When an engine that was running before you repaired it suddenly doesn't run, it's a safe bet that you did some damage along with the repair.

 

Check the grounds up by the power steering pump first. Cam position sensor is still strangely call "pick up coil' in the parts books for some reason. Are you getting injector pulse?

 

+1 on the ground cable. It is just above PS pump and may have been removed to get WP off. Also, there is a small connector ont hebottom of the coil - may have slipped off - don't ask HOW i know....I just know.....

 

thanks guys for the input so far. I did make sure the plug was on the coil pack, but yea i can see were you could just make a simple mistake there. As for the ground i did not remove it but i will take the cable off and clean the contact there. So were exactly is the cam sensor or is the distributor itself the sensor. im not even getting power to the distributor so idk if that could be it. im open for anything so i will indeed try anything you guys suggest. this is out of my knowledge sense its beyond the coild pack.

 

Cam sensor is in the distributor. If you aren't getting power there, you definitely have a problem. Cam, Crank, and TPS, among others, all get their 5 volt reference signal from the PCM. Check fuse number 9 in the fuse block on the side of the dash.

 

okay i did some research and i see what you guys are saying about the pickup coil. is there anyway i can check it when i get it off to see if its bad. like check continuity or something.

 

Its an on/off switch. One side will have 5 volts with the key on. The other side will pulse five volts when you crank the engine. (you have to test with it hooked up......)

 

okay, i think tomorrow i will test the crank position sensor and the pickup coil. i will also clean and inspect all negitive connections. is there anyway it could be my ignition switch.
is there anything else you guys suggest me to try.

 

Like unregestered user said, i would double check all the connections for all the sensors on top and side, especially coil and dist. some time silly things happen and when a wrench gets dropped or something, it could have hit a connector and pulled it apart slightly, looking like its plugged in, or maybe even broke a wire somewhere. I plugged a sensor in one time and thought it clicked (like it snappped in) only to find out it wasn't and the car wouldn't start.