2012 Dodge Caravan Crankshaft Positioning Sensor Replacement

[@nunyabidness181]

Thank you, you are the only one on the whole entire internet that knows where the crankshaft sensor is.

[@tn2mich]

Used your video to find the sensor on my 2011 T&C 3.6. And I amazed that you are even able to touch the sensor with your hand!!! The clearance on mine is so small that I can’t get no where near getting my fingers close to the sensor. This sure sucks. Thanks anyway! Lol

[@RideAlongWthJavieFrmTheIE]

THIS IS THE BEST/ONLY VIDEO IN HOW TO CHANGE THE SENSOR. I JUST CHANGE MY 2012 DODGE GRAND CARAVAN AFTER WATCHING THIS VID.

[@5jjt]

Sir, what were your symptoms for replacing the crank sensor? Did it throw a check engine light? Thanks!

[@ceelo3324]

The youtube algorithm should've put this video at or near the top of my search results. KZbin search is sucking more and more these days, almost as bad as amazon.

[@solidsnake2261]

What's the symptoms you got for that bad crankshaft sensor

[@LaurenLohff]

Thank you so much for this! I need to do it today and couldnt find any others!!

[@ishff1977]

How hard is it to get to once you have the van jacked up and how hard/stuck is it once the bolt is removed and harness unplugged?

[@speedbump49]

manual says to remove the engine skid plate first. Would that make access easier?

[@7863348]

What got you to the point of replacing it? What was the van doing? Thanks for the video. 👍

[@bethconner4325]

This was my question, too.

[@francoisfortin7815]

@@bethconner4325 Hi, I have to confirm this but I really think that this sensor is the root cause of my problem. I have a 2011 Grand Caravan and last yer it began to refuse to start below -16C; this year it is worse, I get into trouble below -9C now... The problem is that I cannot start the engine. It rotates but never take on its own. The starter keeps turning the flywheel but it will NEVER starts. I tried for over 35 times and finally the battery dies. The only cure to this is to plug the engine block heater. So why the ECU never trig the ignition? It seems to be because it doesn't get any signal from the crankshaft sensor so without knowing the crankshaft position, it can't fire the spark plugs adequately and decides to shut off ignition. When we plug the engine block heater, the sensor (located on the bottom of the engine block) receives enough heat to get functional. I have tried so many thing to fix the problem but now this makes sense: something else than the engine block benefit from the engine external heating and satisfies the ECU for effective starting and this is the crankshaft sensor. I just ordered the part and will get back to you when done to confirm the success. I am sure that we are numerous owners with that tricky problem.

[@RyanHicks-bibleblogger]

​@@francoisfortin7815 Did replacing the camshaft sensor fix the issue for you? The symptoms you're describing is almost exactly what I'm experiencing with my 2011 Dodge Grand Caravan. Whenever the temp falls below 32F or 0C I run into this crank no-start issue. Sometimes I am still able to get it started after multiple attempts, but this isn't ideal. I've had the battery and starter replaced. I've had a tune-up completed on it as well, but still no resolution. Hopefully, this resolved the issue for you. Please let me know if it did. Thanks!

[@MrFriendsfirst]

great video very helpful thank you for not taking up my whole day

[@richardw5207]

Great! Thank you for sharing, i just followed your instruction and done my car😊

[@zcsrs]

Are the pliers a required tool? Can I reach the sensor with my hand? Thanks.

[@inspiredbyinspire9234]

What was the reason for you changing over the sensor? I have a 2011 grand caravan and after running it it won’t immediately start again, I’m thinking it might be the crankshaft sensor

[@MrJrob1972]

I apologize for not responding sooner, I honestly had no idea I was getting comments on the video. But the reason I changed the sensor was the same issue you were experiencing, intermittently not starting.

[@thegrotto6621]

My 2011 caravan runs great then all of a sudden after turning off the van it will refuse to start. During the first yr I bought it used 3 yrs ago I would call the warranty dept. They would send over a tow truck and take it to the dealer where it would start right up. After several times of having this problem I decided to try putting it in nuetral and moving it forward a couple of feet. It worked. The van would turn on. It is starting to do it often again so now I am going to take your advise and the sensor changed. Thank you

[@inspiredbyinspire9234]

@@thegrotto6621 I fixed mine. The clip that connects to the starter was loose. It had a wiggle when plugged in. Bent the little prong in the plug a bit and all good

[@joshuabushard7432]

Which engine is that shown on? (3.3, 3.6, 4.0)

[@21dingram]

How do you snap the new one in...or does it go in with the bolt being tighten down

[@rebel280z]

MrJrob1972, first off thank you for the video. I am in the middle of replacing the sensor on a 2017 Journey 3.6 and your video has been the closest thing to it. My question is, did you need to perform a relearn after the sensor was replaced? I dont have a sophisticated scan tool, I am using Torque Pro app for android to read and clear codes. Maybe there is a relearn feature in there somewhere. Anyway, yeah, did you have to relearn/calibrate the sensor after replacement? Thanks!!

[@MrJrob1972]

I do not believe I did, like you, I do not own a very expensive scan tool. Picked mine up at Harbor Freight a few years back. Good luck! Justin.

[@rebel280z]

@@MrJrob1972 Thanks Justin. I have found the sensor on my 2017 Journey finally, but I believe its blocked by the AWD transmission. Information is very sparse on this combo of 3.6 and AWD. Can you confirm that yours is FWD or AWD? That would help me a little bit on this rabbit hole.

[@MrJrob1972]

@@rebel280z mine is a fwd.

[@thegrotto6621]

How long did it take to do the job?

[@FishLite]

i sure would have liked to see how that clip on the harness came undone

[@francoisfortin7815]

To Ryan Hicks and all others having this damned problem of low temperature starting. I have THE real SOLUTION to this problem!!! In my case, it was a fuel delivery problem at cold temperatures only. I have a 2011 Grand Caravan and after 7 years, I began having problems starting the engine below -10C. I changed various sensors without success. The ignition was OK and the fuel presssure was fine (around 60psi). I needed around 35 cranking cycles to succeed. I used tank fuel additives to clean the injectors but nothing helped until I finally took out the injectors for a manuel deep cleaning last summer. The accumulated gums on the injectors (not fully cleaned by additives in gas), was too sticky at low temperatures fot the intector to move! IT WORKED WONDERFULLY because it now starts quickly even at -28C! So the solution was to clean the injectors manually. This requires a lot of time to dismantle and re-install them but now I am OK for the next 7 years!

[@jacr6521]

Did you get a P0300 code?

[@MrJrob1972]

Its been a couple years but I do not believe I did, the major issue was intermittently not starting.

[@jacr6521]

@@MrJrob1972 my 2012 grand caravan gave a P0300 code I'm going to change the sensor like you did.

[@benjaminsolodyankin8047]

Did the sensor fix your P0300 code.

[@jacr6521]

@@benjaminsolodyankin8047 I had to get the engine head replaced through extended warranty TSB X56.

[@tuzitozenteno81]

This is bank 1?