I was driving down the road yesterday when my truck just cut off completly, like the switch had been turned off. I pulled over and all it does is spin over. I had a guy look at it with a scanner and it said cam sensor. Is that a hard or expensive fix? Does it sound like the problem? Its a 06, hemi ram. Thanks

 

assuming 1500, Maybe this will help ya out. straight from alldata.

2006 Dodge Truck RAM 1500 4WD V8-5.7L VIN D

Camshaft Position Sensor: Description and Operation

The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) (2) is located below the generator on the timing chain / case cover (1) on the right/front side of engine.
The CMP sensor is used in conjunction with the crankshaft position sensor to differentiate between fuel injection and spark events. It is also used to
synchronize the fuel injectors with their respective cylinders. The sensor generates electrical pulses. These pulses (signals) are sent to the Powertrain
Control Module (PCM). The PCM will then determine crankshaft position from both the camshaft position sensor and crankshaft position sensor.
The tonewheel is located at the front of the camshaft (2). As the tonewheel rotates, notches (3) pass through the sync signal generator.
When the cam gear is rotating, the sensor will detect the notches. Input voltage from the sensor to the PCM will then switch from a low (approximately

0.3 volts) to a high (approximately 5 volts). When the sensor detects a notch has passed, the input voltage switches back low to approximately 0.3 volts.

Camshaft Position Sensor: Service and Repair

REMOVAL

The Camshaft Position Sensor (CMP) is located on right side of timing chain cover below generator (1).
1. Disconnect electrical connector (3) at CMP sensor.
2. Remove sensor mounting bolt (3).
3. Carefully twist sensor (2) from cylinder head.
4. Check condition of sensor O-ring.

INSTALLATION
2006 Dodge Truck RAM 1500 4WD V8-5.7L VIN D

CAUTION:

4. Connect electrical connector to sensor.

 

Thanks alot for the info! Think thats the problem?

 

Could be, Its about an hour of work and 50 bucks to find out for sure. Its not to uncommon for them to go bad and would cause your truck to not start. If the scanner says cam sensor it would be the first thing I would try.

 

Ok its not that, dealership has it and its not under warranty anymore. Said they think the timing chain tensioner broke. Hope not the timing chain or I'm screwed right?

 

i would ask them why would it throw the code if it not it ? and no your not screwed but its gonna be a pretty penny o have them do it...the stealership way overcharges for stuff....good luck maybe somebody else will chime in with some good knowledge....

 

Thanks, I could do it all myself but I work 6 12hr days right now out of town. I just hope it didn't jump time and bend valves

 

I would stay in the electrical/sensor problem search area. It doesn't sound like machanical, especially the tensioner. If you were not doing doing burn-outs, extra engine straining and running normal frwy driving, it shouldn't jump time. The tensioner just eliminates chain slap when the 2 sprockets and chain gets worn after 200k miles.
Watch the stealerShips, they are hungery, tell you stuff.
If it had jumped time, it would have made a hell of a noise. You will NOT bend valves, destory pistons if your engine isn't OHC. Is it a 4.7 or 5.7?

 

Sounds like fuel starvation. Have someone to spray "engine fuel starter" and see it catches a hit.
Check all fuses, swap the ac relay with the fuel pump relay. Check all connectors for sure fits.

 

With repect oneHEMI, Tensioner does more than eliminate chain slap, There are more than 2 sprockets, "doing burn-outs, extra engine straining and running normal frwy driving" wont cause it to jump, unless the tensioner is bad. And Chains and sprockets wear extremely slowly, I have pulled chains out of engine with 300K+ miles that still looked new and were to full spec.

If the tensioner is bad It would jump time not making any real noise, Would probably run like crap for a short while then Die and not start as the computer wouldn't be able to compensate for the sudden valve timing change. Probably throw a cam code since the cam and the crank no longer lined up. These are absolutely interference engines, But the valve timing has to be way off for you to get a bent valve.

I would say fuel starvation, However that wouldn't throw a "Cam Sensor" code.

I do agree that stealerships are money hungry bastards though, but in this case from what little I know of the situation I do beleive it very well could be the problem.

Blue, If the chain broke you would have more than likely heard it. However You would not had heard it if the chain slipped a tooth or two.

Either way Those problems Would throw a cam error and prevent it from starting as the cam and crank are no longer in line. If the chain jumped a few teeth you are fine, I highly doubt there are any bent valves. Replace the tensioner, Put a new chain on, Test that the new chain tension is to spec, and be on your way. (There is other things that can cause a loose timing chain, But we wont go into that.)

If in the unlikely event the chain broke there is a good chance of bent vavles, and more involved.