engine

Camshaft Position Sensor

for 2012 Jeep Wrangler 3.6L V6 · 4WD

Difficulty

Easy

Time

1.0 h

Tools

Steps

This procedure covers the replacement of the camshaft position sensor on the 3.6L V6 Pentastar engine, including proper sensor removal, installation, and torque specifications.

Warnings

⚠Allow engine to cool completely before starting work to prevent burns from hot components

ℹ️The 3.6L V6 has sensors on both cylinder banks - verify which sensor triggered the fault code before ordering parts

⚠Do not drop the sensor bolt into the engine valley as retrieval may require upper intake manifold removal

Tools required

10mm socket and ratchetEssential

Torque wrench (10-15 Nm range)Essential

Electrical connector release tool

Shop towelsEssential

Flashlight or work lightEssential

Parts

Camshaft position sensor × 1 — Use OEM Mopar specification
O-ring seal (if not included with sensor) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Preparation

Park vehicle on level ground and apply parking brake
Allow engine to cool completely
Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 2 minutes
Identify which camshaft position sensor requires replacement (bank 1 or bank 2)
Bank 1 sensor is located on driver side cylinder head, bank 2 on passenger side

Procedure

1
Access the camshaft position sensor
Locate the camshaft position sensor on the rear of the appropriate cylinder head. The sensor is mounted vertically near the firewall. You may need to move wiring harnesses or hoses aside for access. Use a flashlight to clearly identify the sensor location and mounting bolt.
2
Disconnect electrical connector
Press the tab on the electrical connector and carefully pull it straight off the camshaft position sensor. If the connector is difficult to remove, use a small flat-blade tool to depress the locking tab while pulling. Inspect the connector terminals for corrosion or damage.
3
Remove sensor mounting bolt
Using a 10mm socket, carefully loosen and remove the single sensor mounting bolt. Keep firm control of the bolt during removal to prevent it from falling into the engine valley. Place the bolt in a secure location.
4
Extract the sensor
Gently wiggle and pull the camshaft position sensor straight out from the cylinder head. There may be slight resistance from the O-ring seal. Do not use excessive force or pry tools that could damage the mounting bore. Remove and discard the old O-ring seal.
5
Clean mounting bore
Use a clean shop towel to wipe any debris or oil from the sensor mounting bore in the cylinder head. Inspect the bore for damage or excessive oil contamination. Ensure the mating surface is clean and dry before installing the new sensor.
6
Prepare new sensor
Install the new O-ring seal onto the new camshaft position sensor if not pre-installed. Lightly lubricate the O-ring with clean engine oil to ease installation. Do not use excessive lubricant. Verify the sensor is the correct part by comparing it to the old unit.
7
Install new sensor
Carefully insert the new camshaft position sensor straight into the mounting bore. Push firmly until the sensor is fully seated and the mounting flange contacts the cylinder head. Ensure the sensor is oriented correctly with the electrical connector facing the proper direction for connection.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts54 Nm (40 lb-ft)
8
Torque mounting bolt
Install the sensor mounting bolt and hand-tighten. Using a torque wrench, tighten the bolt to specification in one smooth motion. Do not overtighten as this can damage the sensor housing or strip the aluminum threads in the cylinder head.
Torque spec
Mounting Bolts54 Nm (40 lb-ft)
9
Reconnect electrical connector
Push the electrical connector onto the new camshaft position sensor until you hear and feel a positive click. Gently tug on the connector to verify it is fully locked. Ensure no wires are pinched or routed near hot exhaust components.
10
Restore power and clear codes
Reconnect the negative battery terminal. Use a scan tool to clear any stored camshaft position sensor fault codes. If no scan tool is available, the codes will clear after several successful drive cycles, but using a tool allows immediate verification.

Reassembly

Ensure all electrical connectors are fully seated and locked
Verify no tools or parts were left in the engine compartment
Route any displaced wiring or hoses back to their original positions

Verification

Start the engine and verify it runs smoothly without unusual noise or rough idle
Check that the check engine light does not immediately return
Use a scan tool to verify the camshaft position sensor is reading properly and no codes are present
Test drive the vehicle through various RPM ranges to confirm sensor operation
Recheck for codes after test drive and verify repair is complete