P0369 on 2015-2018 Ram ProMaster City: Camshaft Sensor 'B' Circuit Causes and Fixes

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

The 2.4L Tigershark engine in the ProMaster City has two camshaft sensors, one for intake and one for exhaust, in different locations. The most significant factor for this code is a manufacturer Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #05149141A) that specifically lists P0369. The TSB instructs technicians to contact a factory engineer before replacing the sensor, which strongly implies that the root cause is often not the sensor itself but could be a more complex wiring, software, or mechanical issue that requires a specific diagnostic procedure to correctly identify. This engine is also used in several other Chrysler/Jeep/Dodge vehicles which share similar issues with this code.

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 intermittently
• Rough or unstable idle
• Hard starting or extended cranking time
• Hesitation or stumbling during acceleration
• Reduced engine power or 'limp mode'
• Engine misfire, which may feel like a shudder

Most Likely Causes

1. Wiring Harness or Connector Issue 🔴 High Probability The sensor is located on the valve cover, where engine heat and vibration can degrade wiring and connectors over time. A very common failure point is engine oil leaking past the sensor's O-ring and contaminating the electrical connector, causing an intermittent signal.
   How to confirm: Visually inspect the wiring and connector for the exhaust cam sensor for damage, corrosion, or oil saturation. Disconnect the sensor and look for oil inside the connector housing. 🎬 Watch: How to quickly locate the sensor on your ProMaster. Wiggle the harness with the engine running to see if symptoms change or the code appears.
   Typical fix: Clean the connector and sensor pins thoroughly with electrical contact cleaner and ensure a secure connection. If the O-ring on the sensor has failed, replace the sensor to prevent future leaks. If wires are damaged, repair or replace the connector pigtail.
   Est. part cost: $10-$30
2. Faulty Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensor ('B' Sensor) 🔴 High Probability → Shop Engine Camshaft Position Sensor The sensor itself can fail internally from heat cycles and age, leading to an intermittent signal before it fails completely. These sensors are a known failure item across the 2.4L Tigershark platform.
   How to confirm: After confirming the wiring is good, the most definitive test is to use an oscilloscope to check for a clean square wave signal. A common DIY method is to swap it with the intake sensor (Sensor 'A'). If the code changes to P0344 (Intake Camshaft Position Sensor 'A' Circuit Intermittent), the sensor is confirmed to be faulty. The intake and exhaust sensors are the same part number on this engine.
   Typical fix: Replace the exhaust camshaft position sensor. The exhaust sensor is easily accessible on the driver's side of the valve cover.
   Est. part cost: $25-$80
3. Low or Dirty Engine Oil 🟡 Medium Probability The 2.4L Tigershark engine can be prone to oil consumption. Low or dirty oil can affect the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system's ability to adjust the camshafts correctly via the cam phasers. This hydraulic issue can be misinterpreted by the PCM as a sensor signal fault.
   How to confirm: Check the engine oil level and condition. If it is low or overdue for a change, this could be a contributing factor.
   Typical fix: Perform an oil and filter change using the manufacturer-specified oil viscosity (e.g., 0W-20).
   Est. part cost: $40-$70

Rare But Worth Checking

• Timing Chain or Cam Phaser Issue: → Shop Engine Timing Chain A stretched timing chain or a failing VVT cam phaser can cause the camshaft's actual position to be erratic, leading the PCM to flag the sensor's signal as intermittent. This is a more serious mechanical issue that can be misdiagnosed as a simple sensor fault.
• Faulty Powertrain Control Module (PCM): → Shop Engine Control Module (ECM) In rare cases, the fault can be internal to the PCM, causing it to misinterpret a good sensor signal. This should only be considered after all other possibilities (sensor, wiring, mechanical) have been exhaustively ruled out. Some owners of related vehicles have suspected PCM issues when other fixes failed.

Diagnosis Steps

1. Read the code and any associated freeze-frame data to understand the conditions when the fault occurred.
2. Visually inspect the exhaust camshaft position sensor, its connector, and the surrounding wiring harness. It is located on the driver's side of the valve cover. Look for loose connections, oil contamination (especially inside the connector), or any signs of damage.
3. If the connector is oily, clean it thoroughly with electrical contact cleaner and ensure a secure connection. Clear the code and test drive to see if it returns.
4. If the wiring appears intact, use a multimeter to check for the correct voltage (typically a 5V reference) and ground at the sensor connector with the key on.
5. If possible, use a scan tool to monitor the live data from the sensor while the engine is running. Look for signal dropouts or glitches, especially while wiggling the harness.
6. A definitive DIY test is to swap the exhaust ('B') sensor with the identical intake ('A') sensor. Clear the codes. If the fault returns as P0344, the sensor you moved is bad.
7. If the sensor and wiring test good, check the engine oil level and condition. Top off or change the oil if necessary, using the correct 0W-20 viscosity.
8. If the problem persists, consider replacing the exhaust camshaft position sensor with a quality OEM part.
9. Given TSB #05149141A, if a simple sensor replacement does not work, the issue may be more complex and require professional diagnosis of the timing system or PCM.

Parts You'll Likely Need

• Exhaust Camshaft Position Sensor (OEM #68080819AC) — This is the sensor ('B' sensor) that directly corresponds to the P0369 code. It is the most commonly replaced part to fix this issue, after ruling out wiring problems. The original part number 68080819AC has been superseded by 68080819AD.
  Trusted brands: Mopar, Delphi, NGK/NTK, Standard Motor Products
  OEM price range: $50-$90
  Aftermarket price range: $25-$60

Related Codes That Often Appear With This One

• P0365 — This is the code for a constant fault in the same sensor circuit ('Camshaft Position Sensor 'B' Circuit'), whereas P0369 is for an intermittent fault. They often appear together or one can lead to the other.
• P0344 — This is the intermittent fault code for the intake camshaft sensor ('A' sensor). Seeing both codes together could point to a systemic issue like a wiring harness problem affecting both sensors or a timing/oil pressure issue.
• P0340 — This is the general fault code for the intake camshaft position sensor ('A') circuit. Seeing it with P0369 could indicate a broader electrical or timing problem.

Technical Service Bulletins (TSBs) & Recalls

• 05149141A: Advises technicians to contact engineering before replacing a camshaft position sensor for P0369 (and other related codes), suggesting a more complex underlying issue is often present.

Platform-Specific Known Issues

• A critical Technical Service Bulletin (TSB #05149141A) was issued for a range of camshaft position sensor codes, including P0369. It instructs technicians to contact a specific engineer before replacing the sensor, indicating a known pattern of misdiagnosis where the sensor is not the root cause.
• The 2.4L Tigershark engine has other known TSBs related to excessive oil consumption, which can indirectly cause VVT-related timing codes if the oil level becomes too low.
• Oil leaking from the sensor's o-ring into the electrical connector is a widely reported cause for this intermittent code across vehicles with the 2.4L Tigershark engine.

Mechanic-Grade Diagnostic Values

• Camshaft Position Sensor Signal Waveform — expected: A clean digital square wave, toggling between approximately 0V and 5V, with frequency increasing with engine RPM.. Failure: Signal dropouts, noise, glitches, or a misshapen wave pattern when viewed on an oscilloscope.
• Sensor 5V Supply (at connector, Key On Engine Off) — expected: 4.5 - 5.2 Volts.. Failure: Voltage below 4.5V or above 5.5V suggests a problem in the supply wire from the PCM or the PCM itself.
• Sensor Ground Circuit Resistance — expected: Less than 0.2 Ohms between the ground pin at the connector and the negative battery terminal.. Failure: Higher resistance indicates a poor ground connection, which can cause an unstable signal.

Scan Tool Commands That Help

• Professional Scan Tool (e.g., wiTECH, Autel): Cam/Crank Relearn Procedure — This procedure must be performed after replacing a camshaft or crankshaft sensor, or any timing components, to synchronize the new sensor data with the PCM. Failure to do so can cause a misfire or timing fault to be set.
• wiTECH (Mopar Dealer Tool): Reprogram PCM — On some related engines, a TSB advises reprogramming the PCM to update the software. This can make the fault detection less sensitive to minor, transient signal drops, preventing nuisance codes when no mechanical or electrical fault exists.

Wiring & Ground Locations

• Camshaft Position Sensor Connector Pins — On the sensor body, connecting to the engine wiring harness.. The 3-wire connector provides the sensor's electrical interface. Pin functions are typically: Pin 1 - 5V power supply from the PCM; Pin 2 - Sensor ground; Pin 3 - Signal wire returning the square wave pulse to the PCM. Checking for voltage, ground, and signal integrity at these specific pins is fundamental to diagnosis.
• Main Engine Ground Strap — While not specifically documented for the ProMaster City, a common location for main engine grounds on similar vehicles is a cable from the chassis to a major engine or transmission bolt, such as a starter mounting bolt.. A poor engine ground can introduce electrical noise and resistance into multiple sensor circuits, including the camshaft sensor. This can cause an intermittent and hard-to-diagnose signal drop, perfectly matching the symptoms of P0369.

Real Owner Repair Stories

• Go-Parts.com repair data (2014 Dodge Durango (with related 3.6L Pentastar engine)) — Intermittent stalling and P0369 code.
  ❌ Tried (didn't work) Initial diagnosis pointed towards a faulty sensor.
  ✅ What actually fixed it A technician found loose pins inside the camshaft position sensor's electrical connector. Repairing the connector and ensuring a secure pin fit resolved the intermittent signal and cleared the code permanently.

"I Checked Everything" — The Actual Cause

• In cases where the sensor and wiring test perfectly (the electrical equivalent of a 'clean smoke test'), the root cause can be a mechanical failure within the Variable Valve Timing (VVT) system. A failing cam phaser with a broken internal lock pin can cause the camshaft to move erratically, which the PCM misinterprets as a sensor circuit fault. Similarly, low oil pressure starving the phasers, a known issue on related engines, can produce the exact same code.

When the Usual Fixes Don't Work

• The presence of TSB #05149141A strongly suggests that simply replacing the camshaft position sensor is often not the correct fix. In many cases where the sensor was replaced and the code returned, the actual cause was later found to be a more complex mechanical issue, such as a failing cam phaser, or a subtle wiring problem, like a loose pin in a connector far from the sensor itself.

OEM Part Supersession History

• 5033308AB, 68080819AB, 68080819AC → 68080819AD — Standard part revision and improvement over time.
  Heads up: No incompatibility is noted. The latest part number, 68080819AD, is the correct service replacement for all previous versions.