P0369 on 2014-2018 Ram 3500: Cam Sensor Intermittent Fault Causes & Fixes

What's Unique About the 2014-2018 Ram 3500

For this generation of Ram HD trucks, P0369 is frequently misdiagnosed. A manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin (TSB) exists that specifically instructs technicians to halt and seek factory guidance before replacing the camshaft sensor for this code, indicating a known pattern where the sensor itself is not the root cause. Owners and mechanics report that chafed or damaged wiring harnesses are an extremely common cause of this intermittent code, often leading to unnecessary sensor replacements. A specific, hard-to-see chafe point exists where the main harness passes the transmission bell housing and can rub on a metal ground strap. On Hemi V8 models, the code can also be triggered by low oil pressure affecting the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system, sometimes caused by something as simple as a poor-quality oil filter.

Diagnostic Flowchart

Tap your situation to follow the diagnostic path that matches what you're seeing on this vehicle.

Symptoms You May Notice

• Check Engine Light is on
• Engine is hard to start or has long crank times
• Engine stalls intermittently, sometimes while driving or coming to a stop
• Engine cranks but will not start
• Rough or erratic idle
• Hesitation or lack of power during acceleration
• Vehicle may enter 'limp mode' with reduced power
• Reduced fuel economy

Most Likely Causes

1. Damaged Wiring Harness or Connector 🔴 High Probability The engine bay has numerous points where the sensor harness can rub against the engine block, brackets, or other components. A widely reported issue is the harness chafing against a ground strap on the driver's side of the transmission bell housing, causing an intermittent short. The harness also has very little slack, adding stress to the wires and connector.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the entire length of the camshaft position sensor wiring harness for signs of melting, chafing, or corrosion. Pay close attention to where it passes the transmission bell housing. Wiggle the connector and harness with the engine running to see if it triggers the symptom.
   Typical fix: Repair the damaged section of wire with a new piece of wire and heat-shrink tubing. If the connector is damaged, replace the connector pigtail. Add protective conduit or re-route the harness to prevent future rubbing.
   Est. part cost: $10-$30
2. Faulty Camshaft Position Sensor 🔴 High Probability The sensor operates in a high-heat environment and can fail internally over time, causing the signal to become intermittent. Aftermarket sensors have a notoriously high failure rate on these trucks, making OEM parts from Mopar or Cummins the strongly recommended fix.
   How to confirm: After confirming the wiring is good, the most definitive test is to monitor the sensor's square-wave signal on an oscilloscope for dropouts. A DIY approach is to replace the sensor, but only after a thorough wiring inspection.
   Typical fix: Replace the camshaft position sensor. It is strongly recommended to use an OEM Mopar or Cummins part. 🎬 Watch this easy walkthrough for changing the Cummins camshaft sensor.
   Est. part cost: $50-$150
3. Low Engine Oil Level, Pressure, or Quality (Hemi V8 Only) 🟡 Medium Probability The 5.7L and 6.4L Hemi engines use a Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system that is operated by oil pressure. If the oil is low, the wrong viscosity, or the pressure is insufficient (sometimes due to a cheap/clogged oil filter), the camshafts may not be in the position the PCM expects, triggering timing-related codes.
   How to confirm: Check the engine oil level and condition. Ensure it is full, clean, and the correct viscosity is being used. Check service records for the type of oil filter used; a low-quality filter can cause pressure issues.
   Typical fix: Perform an oil and filter change using the correct oil viscosity and a high-quality OEM or equivalent filter. Address any oil leaks or consumption issues.
   Est. part cost: $50-$100
4. Weak Battery or Faulty Starting System ⚪ Low Probability
   How to confirm: Test the battery voltage with a multimeter; it should be above 12.4V with the engine off. Low voltage during cranking can cause erratic signals from various sensors. Have the battery and alternator tested at an auto parts store.
   Typical fix: Charge or replace the battery if it fails a load test.
   Est. part cost: $150-$350

Rare But Worth Checking

• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): While uncommon, the PCM's internal driver for the sensor circuit can fail, mimicking a sensor or wiring problem. This should only be considered after all other possibilities have been exhausted.
• Mechanical Timing Issue / Damaged Reluctor Wheel: On high-mileage engines, a stretched timing chain (Hemi) or damaged timing gear can cause cam/crank correlation issues. More subtly, the reluctor wheel (or 'tone ring') on the camshaft that the sensor reads can become damaged or 'walk' out of its pressed-on position, leading to an incorrect signal even with a good sensor and wiring.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read all diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) with a scanner. Note any other codes present, especially correlation or other sensor codes.
2. Check the battery. Ensure it is fully charged and the terminals are clean and tight. Low voltage during cranking can cause spurious codes.
3. (Hemi Engines Only) Check the engine oil level, condition, and filter type. Ensure the correct viscosity oil and a quality filter are in use.
4. Perform a detailed visual inspection of the camshaft position sensor's wiring harness and connector. Trace it as far back as possible. Pay special attention to the area where the harness passes the transmission bell housing, looking for chafing against the ground strap or block.
5. With the engine running, carefully wiggle the wiring harness and connector to see if you can make the engine stumble or stall, which would indicate an intermittent connection.
6. Using a multimeter (with the key on, engine off), backprobe the sensor connector to verify it is receiving the correct reference voltage (typically 5V) and has a solid ground connection.
7. If wiring, power, and ground are all confirmed to be good, the camshaft position sensor itself is the most likely culprit.
8. Replace the camshaft position sensor with a high-quality OEM part from Mopar or Cummins.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Position Sensor (6.7L Cummins) (OEM #Cummins 2872277) — This is the most common part to fail after wiring issues are ruled out. On the 6.7L Cummins, the same sensor is often used for both the camshaft and crankshaft positions. It is also sold as Mopar 68526830AB or Cummins 4921684.
  Trusted brands: Cummins, Mopar
  OEM price range: $65-$150
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$80
• Camshaft Position Sensor (5.7L/6.4L Hemi) (OEM #5149054AC) — This sensor fails due to heat and vibration. It is located on the front of the engine block. 🎬 See how to replace the sensor to fix codes P0365 and P0369. This part number supersedes 5149054AB.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, NTK, Bosch
  OEM price range: $50-$100
  Aftermarket price range: $25-$60

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0340 — This is the general circuit fault code for the 'A' (intake) camshaft sensor. Seeing them together can point to a shared wiring or power/ground issue.
• P0344 — This is the intermittent fault code for the 'A' (intake) camshaft sensor. Seeing P0369 and P0344 together strongly suggests a wiring harness problem affecting both sensors or a systemic issue like low oil pressure on a Hemi.
• P0016 — This code indicates a Crankshaft/Camshaft Position Correlation error. It can appear with P0369 if the intermittent signal causes the PCM to lose track of the engine's mechanical timing, or if there is an underlying mechanical timing problem.
🎬 Learn about cam phaser symptoms that can trigger these timing codes.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 05149141A: Camshaft Position Sensor - Instructs technicians to contact a factory representative before replacing the sensor for codes P0340, P0344, P0345, P0349, P0365, P0369, P0390 or P0394.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• TSB #05149141A: This official bulletin from the manufacturer covers a range of camshaft sensor codes, including P0369. It instructs technicians to contact a specific factory engineer before replacing the sensor, which confirms this is a known problem area with a high rate of misdiagnosis.
• Harness Chafing Point: A common failure point is the wiring harness rubbing through on a ground strap located on the driver's side of the transmission bell housing. This can cause an intermittent short to ground for the sensor signal wire, triggering P0369.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor 5V Supply (Hemi V8) — expected: 4.5 - 5.2 Volts with key on, engine off.. Failure: Voltage below 4.5V suggests a wiring or PCM problem.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Ground Circuit Resistance (Hemi V8 & Cummins) — expected: Less than 5.0 ohms between the ground pin at the connector and a known good chassis ground.. Failure: High resistance indicates a poor ground connection.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal Wire Voltage (Hemi V8, Sensor Disconnected) — expected: Approximately 5.0 Volts.. Failure: No voltage may indicate an issue with the PCM or the wire from the PCM.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Internal Resistance (6.7L Cummins) — expected: 600 - 1200 ohms across its two wires.. Failure: A reading outside this range indicates a faulty sensor.
• Alternator AC Ripple Voltage (All Engines) — expected: Below 0.5V AC at the battery terminals with the engine running.. Failure: A reading higher than 0.5V AC indicates a failing alternator is introducing electrical noise that can disrupt sensor readings.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH or capable aftermarket scanner: VVT Solenoid Test — Use this bidirectional command to individually activate the Variable Valve Timing solenoids. This helps differentiate a sensor/wiring issue from a mechanical phaser or solenoid problem, especially when P0369 is accompanied by timing correlation codes like P0016.
• wiTECH: PCM Flash/Reprogram — On some model years, PCM software updates were released to correct logic errors that could falsely trigger cam sensor codes, particularly at low RPMs during startup. This should be considered if no physical fault can be found.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• CMP Signal at ECM (6.7L Cummins) — Pin 24 on the Engine Control Module (ECM) connector.. Allows a technician to test the signal wire's continuity directly from the sensor to the control module, definitively ruling out a wiring harness break.
• Potential Harness Chafe Point — On the driver's side of the transmission bell housing, where the main engine harness passes a metal ground strap.. This is a widely documented hidden chafe point. Engine vibration can cause the ground strap to rub through the harness loom and short the camshaft sensor signal wire, causing an intermittent P0369.
• Main Engine to Chassis Ground — Typically a braided strap from the engine block to the vehicle's frame rail or firewall.. A corroded or loose main ground can introduce electrical noise and unstable voltage references for all engine sensors, including the CMP, leading to intermittent faults that are hard to trace.
• Camshaft Position Sensor (6.7L Cummins) — Driver's side of the engine block, below the CP3 injection pump and above the power steering pump.. This is the physical location of the sensor. Access is very tight and may require unbolting and moving the PCM (four 10mm bolts) for clearance.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• JKUR Forum Member (2016 model (Jeep, but with analogous Pentastar VVT system to Hemi)) — Persistent P0369 code.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replaced engine wiring harness, Replaced camshaft position sensor, Replaced crankshaft position sensor
  ✅ What actually fixed it The root cause was mechanical. The intake cam oil galley bolt under the passenger valve cover was found to be loose, causing oil pressure loss to the phasers. The final fix involved replacing all timing chains, guides, tensioners, the oil pump, and reinstalling all four oil galley bolts with Loctite to ensure they stayed tight.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• In cases analogous to the Hemi V8, a user reported that after replacing the wiring harness and multiple sensors to no avail, the actual cause of P0369 was a loose oil galley bolt inside the engine under the valve cover. This created a loss of oil pressure to the cam phasers, which the sensor correctly reported as an erratic camshaft position. The electrical and sensor tests were all 'clean' because the fault was purely mechanical.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• While the most common fixes involve the wiring harness or the sensor itself, a significant number of cases, particularly on Hemi-style VVT systems, are not resolved by these steps. In one documented instance, after a new harness and sensors failed to fix the P0369 code, the root cause was discovered to be loose oil galley plugs under the valve cover. This starved the cam phasers of oil pressure, causing erratic timing that the sensor correctly reported. The ultimate repair was a significant mechanical job involving the timing components, demonstrating that for this code, one must look beyond the sensor's circuit if initial electrical repairs fail.

OEM Part Supersession History

• Mopar 5149054AB → Mopar 5149054AC — Standard part revision and update by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: Applies to 5.7L & 6.4L Hemi V8 engines. The newer part is a direct replacement for the older one.
• Mopar 5179099AB, 68526830AA → Mopar 68526830AB — Standard part revision and update by the manufacturer.
  Heads up: Applies to 6.7L Cummins engines. This is the Mopar-branded part.
• Cummins 4921684 → Cummins 2872277 — Part number consolidation and revision by the engine manufacturer.
  Heads up: Applies to 6.7L Cummins engines. These numbers are often used interchangeably for the same OEM Cummins sensor.