P0394 on 2015-2018 Ram ProMaster City: Exhaust Cam Sensor and Oil Level Fixes

What's Unique About the 2015-2018 Ram PROMASTER CITY

On the Ram ProMaster City, code P0394 is often linked to a major underlying issue with its 2.4L Tigershark engine: excessive oil consumption. This issue was so widespread it resulted in a class-action lawsuit and extended warranty programs from the manufacturer. Low oil levels starve the VVT system, causing erratic camshaft movement that the sensor correctly reports as an intermittent fault. Additionally, a specific Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #05149141A) for this code instructed dealers to collect diagnostic data and contact a factory engineer, indicating a known, complex problem beyond simple sensor failure.

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 stalls unexpectedly, sometimes when coming to a stop
• Rough or unstable idle
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Difficulty starting the engine, or extended cranking time
• Reduced fuel economy
• Noticeable loss of engine power
• Vehicle enters 'limp mode', sometimes illuminating the traction control light.

Most Likely Causes

1. Low or Dirty Engine Oil 🔴 High Probability The 2.4L Tigershark engine is subject to a class-action lawsuit (Wood, et al. v. FCA US, LLC 🎬 Watch: Learn more about the 2.4L engine oil consumption recall.) for excessive oil consumption, sometimes requiring top-offs in as little as 1,000 miles. The oil pressure warning light often fails to warn the driver before the level is critically low, leading to stalling and fault codes.
   How to confirm: Physically check the engine oil level using the dipstick. If it is low, top it off and monitor consumption closely (e.g., every 500 miles). Note the oil's condition; if it is dark and sludgy, an oil change is needed.
   Typical fix: Top off or change the engine oil and filter. Adhere to a strict oil change schedule and regularly monitor the oil level between changes. Using the manufacturer-specified 0W-20 full synthetic oil is critical for the MultiAir VVT system.
   Est. part cost: $30-$70 for oil and filter
2. Faulty Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensor 🔴 High Probability A manufacturer TSB (#05149141A) was issued that specifically includes code P0394 and relates to camshaft position sensor faults, indicating this is a recognized failure point requiring special data collection by dealers.
   How to confirm: After confirming oil level is correct, the easiest test is to swap the identical intake and exhaust cam sensors. The exhaust sensor is easily accessible on the driver's side of the valve cover. The intake sensor is more difficult to access, located under the intake manifold. Clear the codes and drive. If the code changes to P0344 (Intake Cam Sensor 'A' Circuit Intermittent), the sensor is bad. The sensor can also be tested with a multimeter for voltage switching.
   Typical fix: Replace the exhaust camshaft position sensor. It is located on the driver's side of the valve cover and is easily accessible.
   Est. part cost: $30-$95
3. Damaged Wiring or Connector 🟡 Medium Probability The wiring harness in the engine bay is exposed to heat and vibration, which can cause wires to fray or the connector to become brittle over time. Oil from leaks can also contaminate the connector pins, causing an intermittent signal.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring harness leading to the exhaust cam sensor for any signs of chafing, melting, or breaks. Unplug the connector and check for corrosion, oil contamination, or bent/loose pins. Wiggle the harness while the engine is running or while testing voltage to see if it triggers the symptoms or causes voltage fluctuations.
   Typical fix: If the connector is damaged, replace it with a new pigtail connector. If the wire is damaged, repair the broken section. Ensure the harness is properly secured away from heat sources.
   Est. part cost: $15-$40 for a pigtail connector

Rare But Worth Checking

• Failing VVT Camshaft Phaser: A mechanical failure within the camshaft phaser (actuator) can cause it to not lock properly or respond correctly to oil pressure, leading to timing deviations that trigger the P0394 code. This is a more complex and expensive repair and may be accompanied by rattling noises from the top of the engine.
• Failing VVT Solenoid / Oil Control Valve: The oil control valve (OCV), also known as the VVT solenoid, controls the flow of oil to the cam phaser. If this solenoid becomes clogged with sludge from dirty oil or fails electronically, it can cause the same symptoms as a bad phaser, triggering P0394. This is a less expensive repair than the phaser itself.
• Powertrain Control Module (PCM) Issue: In very rare cases, the fault can be with the PCM itself or require a software update from a dealership to correct logic errors in how it interprets sensor signals.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Check Engine Oil Level: This is the most critical first step for this vehicle. Use the dipstick to verify the oil is at the full mark. If it's low, top it off, clear the code, and drive to see if it returns. If the oil is very dirty, perform an oil and filter change.
2. Inspect Wiring and Connector: Visually inspect the wiring harness for the exhaust cam sensor (driver's side of valve cover). Look for damage, chafing against other components, or melting. Disconnect the sensor and check for oil inside the connector, corrosion, or damaged pins.
3. Swap Sensors (Diagnostic Test): The intake and exhaust camshaft position sensors are identical parts. Swap their positions. The exhaust sensor is easy to access, but the intake sensor is under the intake manifold. If you can access both, swap them. Clear the codes and drive the vehicle. If the code changes to P0344 (Intake Cam Sensor 'A' Circuit Intermittent), the sensor you moved is faulty.
4. Test the Circuit: If the code remains P0394 after the swap, the problem is in the wiring or PCM. Use a multimeter to check for a 5-volt reference signal and a good ground at the sensor connector with the key on.
5. Replace the Sensor: If the sensor is confirmed to be faulty from the swap test, replace it with a new part. Using an OEM Mopar part is often recommended for reliability.
6. Advanced Diagnosis: If the sensor and wiring are good, the issue may be mechanical (e.g., a failing cam phaser or VVT solenoid). This may require professional diagnosis. Check with a dealer for any applicable software updates.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Camshaft Position Sensor (OEM #68080819AD) — This sensor is a known failure point, as evidenced by a manufacturer TSB. It provides the signal that the PCM has identified as intermittent. The intake and exhaust sensors are the same part.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Delphi, NGK/NTK, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $87-$131
  Aftermarket price range: $30-$75

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0390 — This is the general fault code for the same sensor circuit. P0394 specifies an intermittent fault, while P0390 indicates a more constant malfunction ('Circuit Malfunction'). They often appear together.
• P0014 — This code ('B' Camshaft Position - Timing Over-Advanced) can appear with P0394 because both relate to the exhaust camshaft's timing, often pointing to low oil pressure or a VVT system problem caused by low/dirty oil.
• P0344 — This is the intermittent fault code for the intake camshaft sensor. If you perform a sensor swap for diagnosis and this code appears, it confirms the original exhaust sensor was faulty.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 05149141A - Camshaft Position Sensor: Instructs technicians to collect diagnostic data and contact a specific FCA engineer before replacing a camshaft sensor for codes including P0394, indicating a complex issue was under investigation by the factory.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• Excessive Oil Consumption: The 2.4L Tigershark engine is subject to a class-action lawsuit (Wood, et al. v. FCA US, LLC) for consuming excessive amounts of oil, which can lead to low oil levels and engine stalling. FCA issued Customer Service Notifications (like CSN W80) and an extended warranty (XB1) for this issue, which may cover repairs or even engine replacement if the vehicle qualifies. A settlement was reached providing an extended warranty of 7 years/100,000 miles for related repairs and potential reimbursement for past costs. Always check your oil level before assuming a sensor is bad.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor Power Supply — expected: 4.8V to 5.2V with key on, engine off.. Failure: Voltage below 4.8V or 0V indicates an open or short in the supply circuit from the PCM.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Ground Circuit Resistance — expected: Below 3.0 Ohms to chassis ground.. Failure: Resistance above 3.0 Ohms indicates a poor ground connection, which can cause an erratic signal.
• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal (Hall-Effect Test) — expected: Using a multimeter, backprobe the signal wire. Voltage should toggle between ~5V and 0V as the engine is slowly cranked.. Failure: Voltage that does not switch, or is stuck high or low, indicates a faulty sensor or a problem with the tone ring.
• VVT Enablement Oil Pressure (Tigershark Engine) — expected: Pressure must reach 42 psi to enable VVT and must not drop below 31 psi to remain enabled.. Failure: If oil pressure cannot be maintained above 31 psi, the VVT system may be disabled, potentially logging cam-related codes.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• wiTECH or equivalent professional scanner: VVT Solenoid Actuator Test — After verifying the sensor and wiring are good, this bidirectional command manually activates the VVT solenoid to confirm if it is mechanically sticking or has an electrical fault. This helps differentiate a solenoid failure from a deeper mechanical issue like a cam phaser.
• wiTECH or equivalent professional scanner: Variable Timing Control Test — This automated test commands the PCM to cycle the cam timing through specific angles (e.g., 10°, 20°, 30°) and reports if the system responds correctly. It provides a comprehensive health check of the entire VVT system (oil pressure, solenoid, and phaser).
• wiTECH or equivalent professional scanner: Cam/Crank Relearn — After replacing a camshaft or crankshaft position sensor, this procedure may be required to synchronize the new sensor data with the PCM and ensure accurate timing calculations.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Primary Engine/Transmission Ground Strap — On the larger ProMaster, it is a braided strap from the transmission case to a bolt on the transmission mount, accessible after removing the driver's side headlight. The ProMaster City location is similar, providing the main ground path for the powertrain.. A poor or intermittent primary ground can corrupt sensor data, as the sensor's ground reference becomes unstable. This can lead to false intermittent codes like P0394.
• PCM C2 Connector — This is one of the main harness connectors at the Powertrain Control Module (PCM).. Diagnostic procedures for circuit faults require checking for continuity and shorts between the camshaft sensor's 3-pin connector and the corresponding pins at the PCM C2 connector.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• RamForum.com user (2014 Ram 1500 3.6L (different engine, but same code and sensor type)) — Vehicle went into limp mode while driving on the highway with code P0394.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the Bank 2 (driver side) camshaft position sensor. The code returned after 20 miles.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The owner found inconsistent voltage readings at the sensor connector. Wiggling the wires right at the connector caused the 5V reference to drop in and out, indicating a faulty connector or pigtail wiring was the true cause.
• YouTube video by user 'Learn how I fixed' (2015 Chrysler Town & Country 3.6L (different engine, but similar VVT system principles)) — Persistent P0394 code, engine covers were full of sludge from infrequent oil changes.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Replacing the camshaft position sensor did not solve the problem.
  ✅ What actually fixed it The actual culprit was the VVT solenoid (camshaft actuator) for that bank. It was clogged with oil sludge and could not operate properly, which in turn caused the camshaft position to be incorrect, triggering the sensor code.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• A common scenario for P0394 on this engine is for a technician to test the camshaft sensor and its wiring, finding both to be perfectly functional. The code may persist because the root cause is not electrical, but hydraulic. The well-documented excessive oil consumption of the 2.4L Tigershark engine leads to low oil levels, which in turn causes a drop in oil pressure to the VVT system. The VVT phaser cannot adjust the camshaft's position correctly, the sensor accurately reports this deviation as an intermittent or erratic signal, and the PCM logs P0394. The sensor and wiring are not the problem; they are correctly reporting a mechanical issue caused by low oil.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• While a faulty sensor is a common cause, several owner-documented repairs show that replacing the sensor did not fix the P0394 code. In one case on a similar engine, the root cause was a faulty wiring pigtail at the sensor connector, identified by wiggling the harness and observing voltage drops. In another case involving a similar VVT system, the issue was a sludge-clogged VVT solenoid (actuator), which was preventing proper camshaft phasing and triggering the sensor code. Both instances highlight the importance of diagnosing the entire circuit and considering the oiling system's health before defaulting to sensor replacement.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 5033308AB, 68080819AB, 68080819AC → 68080819AD — Part revision by the manufacturer, likely for improved reliability or a change in supplier.