Have you ever felt stuck trying to figure out why your 5.7 Hemi engine isn’t running right? I’ve been there myself. The exact problem was a bad camshaft position sensor, and once I found where it was hiding, everything made sense. The camshaft position sensor on the 5.7 Hemi is located at the rear of the engine, near the top, right under the intake manifold. In this article, I’ll guide you step by step (without calling them steps!) on how to locate it, how to reach it, and how to fix it—even if you’re a total beginner.
Finding the Sensor on Your 5.7 Hemi Engine
Let me start by saying this—finding the camshaft position sensor on a 5.7 Hemi can feel like searching for a lost key in the dark. But it’s actually not that bad once you know where to look. The sensor is located at the back of the engine, right up underneath the intake manifold, and sits near the firewall side. You won’t see it right away when you open the hood, which is why so many people feel confused at first.
To get a clearer view, you’ll need to take off the engine cover. That part is super easy—just pull it up with your hands. Next, look toward the center rear part of the engine where the intake manifold curves. There you’ll find a sensor that’s connected to a wire—that’s the camshaft position sensor. It’s held in place by a small bolt and a connector.
Now, reaching it is a bit tight, but don’t worry. If you have a short socket wrench and a bit of patience, it’s very doable. Some folks remove the intake manifold to make it easier, but you don’t always have to.
- Sensor is under the intake manifold
- Located at the rear top of the engine
- Requires removing engine cover to see the area
- Short socket wrench helps reach it
- Intake manifold removal can make access easier
Unplugging the Sensor Safely Without Damage
Once you find the camshaft position sensor, the next big task is unplugging it without causing any harm. Sounds easy, right? But sometimes the connector can be really stuck. I remember when I tried the first time—it felt like it was glued on! But here’s what I learned.
First, make sure your engine is cool. This is super important to avoid burning your hands or damaging plastic parts. Use a glove or rag to grip the connector if it’s slippery. There’s a small tab on the sensor plug that needs to be pushed down before you can pull the plug out. Some connectors are tricky—you might need a small flathead screwdriver to help pry it gently.
Don’t yank it. Tugging hard might break the wires or the plastic tab. Instead, work it slowly and feel for the click when it releases. Once it’s off, inspect the plug. Look for corrosion, dirt, or signs of damage.
If the sensor itself is covered in oil or gunk, clean around it before removing it. That way, no junk falls into the hole when the sensor comes out. Keeping everything clean makes a huge difference later on.
- Always let engine cool before touching the sensor
- Press tab on connector to release
- Use gloves or rag for grip
- Flathead screwdriver helps with stuck clips
- Clean area around sensor before removing
Removing the Sensor Without Breaking It
Taking the sensor out is not super hard, but you do need to be gentle and patient. There’s one bolt holding the camshaft sensor in place. This is usually a 10mm bolt, and you’ll need a socket wrench to remove it. Shorter tools work better in the tight space.
After the bolt is out, you might find the sensor is stuck. That’s pretty normal—after all, it’s been sitting there for years. You can wiggle it side to side while pulling up gently. Don’t pry with metal tools—you don’t want to damage the sensor hole or crack anything on the engine.
If it still won’t come out, spray a little penetrating oil around the base and wait a few minutes. Then try wiggling again. It should slide out eventually. The old sensor might have an O-ring that holds it tightly, so patience really helps.
Once it’s out, compare the old sensor to the new one just to make sure they match. You don’t want to install the wrong part. Clean the hole where the sensor sits using a rag or soft brush.
- Use 10mm socket to remove bolt
- Wiggle sensor gently, don’t force it
- Spray oil if stuck, then wait
- Don’t use metal tools to pry it out
- Compare old and new parts before replacing
Installing a New Sensor Correctly
Now comes the part that feels like putting everything back together. Installing the new sensor isn’t hard at all if you follow a few simple rules. First, make sure the hole where the sensor goes is clean and dry. If there’s leftover oil or dirt, it might mess with the sensor’s seal.
Next, take your new camshaft position sensor and push it gently into the hole. It should slide in snugly without much force. If it doesn’t go in smoothly, don’t push harder—pull it out, check for dirt, and try again. Once it’s in place, use your hand to hold it steady and then tighten the bolt.
Don’t over-tighten it. Just snug enough so it doesn’t move. Too much force can crack the plastic or strip the threads. After the bolt is tight, plug the connector back in. You’ll hear a soft click when it locks.
Double-check everything before starting the engine. Make sure no wires are loose, no bolts are forgotten, and everything is dry.
- Clean sensor hole before installing
- Insert sensor gently by hand
- Tighten bolt without overdoing it
- Plug connector until it clicks
- Check everything before engine start
Testing the Sensor and Engine Performance
After installing the new camshaft position sensor, it’s time to test if everything works. You don’t need fancy tools for this. First, start the engine. Listen closely. If your 5.7 Hemi starts smoothly and runs without shaking, that’s a good sign.
Take a short drive. Watch for the check engine light. If it stays off and your acceleration feels smooth, then your sensor replacement worked perfectly. If something still feels off, use a basic OBD2 scanner to read error codes. These tools are cheap and super helpful.
Sometimes, if the sensor was bad for a while, your car’s computer (ECU) might take some time to reset. If the check engine light stays on, clear the codes and restart the engine. If it still shows errors, you may need to double-check the wiring or sensor fit.
Pay attention to fuel mileage and how the engine idles. A bad sensor usually causes rough idle, stalling, or misfires. If all those are gone, then congrats—you fixed it!
- Start engine and check smoothness
- Look for check engine light
- Test drive for idle and acceleration
- Use OBD2 scanner for error codes
- Clear codes if needed, then retest
When to Replace the Sensor and Signs It’s Going Bad
The camshaft position sensor doesn’t last forever. If your 5.7 Hemi is acting strange, it might be the right time to replace it. What are the signs? Well, if your engine misfires, hesitates, or the RPM jumps around, those are strong clues. You might also get a check engine light with codes like P0340.
Another sign is hard starting. If you turn the key and it takes forever to start, or starts and dies, the sensor could be giving wrong signals. Also, if your engine sounds weird at idle or during shifting, the timing might be off due to bad camshaft readings.
I replaced mine when my truck stalled in traffic—it was scary. After swapping the sensor, it ran smooth again. Don’t wait for something big to go wrong.
If your vehicle is over 100,000 miles, it’s not a bad idea to change the sensor even before problems start. It’s a small part that can cause big issues when it fails.
- Signs: misfires, poor idle, engine stalls
- Check engine codes: P0340 and similar
- Hard starting or delayed cranking
- RPM acting strange or engine jerks
- Replace after 100,000 miles if unsure
Final Thoughts
Fixing the camshaft position sensor on your 5.7 Hemi might seem tricky at first, but once you know where to look and how to do it, it becomes a simple task. You don’t need to be a mechanic—just patient and careful. Saving money and fixing it yourself feels amazing. Trust your hands, and you’ll do just fine.
| Task | Tools Needed | Time Estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Locate Sensor | Flashlight, Gloves | 10 minutes |
| Unplug Sensor | Screwdriver, Gloves | 5 minutes |
| Remove Old Sensor | 10mm Socket, Wrench | 10-15 minutes |
| Install New Sensor | New Sensor, Same Tools | 10 minutes |
| Test Engine After Install | OBD2 Scanner (optional) | 10 minutes |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is it hard to find the 5.7 Hemi camshaft sensor?
Not really, but it’s not in plain sight. It sits at the rear of the engine, under the intake manifold, near the firewall. If you’ve never looked for it before, it can feel tricky. But once you remove the engine cover and look toward the back of the motor, you’ll spot it. Having a flashlight helps a lot. Most people think it’s harder than it is just because it’s hidden.
Can I drive with a bad camshaft position sensor?
You technically can, but you really shouldn’t. A failing camshaft sensor messes with engine timing and can cause misfires, hard starts, or even stalling. That can be dangerous, especially in traffic. Driving too long with a bad sensor might also damage other engine parts. It’s best to fix it as soon as you notice signs or get a check engine code related to the sensor.
Do I need to remove the intake manifold?
Not always. Many people can reach the sensor with basic tools and some patience. But in some trucks or cars, if there’s not enough space, removing the intake manifold makes it much easier. If you’re not comfortable doing that, you can try with shorter tools or get help from someone who’s done it before.
Is it okay to clean the old sensor instead of replacing?
You can clean it, but if the sensor is already giving bad signals, cleaning might not help. Dirt and oil can affect how it reads the camshaft, but sensors also wear out over time. If your engine is having problems, it’s better to just install a new one. They’re not very expensive and can prevent bigger issues later.
Can a camshaft sensor cause transmission problems?
Yes, indirectly. If the camshaft sensor is bad, it sends wrong timing signals to the engine computer. That can mess up gear shifting and RPM readings. You might feel jerky shifts or notice odd gear behavior. Many people think it’s the transmission when it’s actually the sensor. Fixing it usually solves the problem.
Do I need to reset anything after replacing the sensor?
Sometimes the car’s computer will reset itself after a few drives. But to be safe, it’s a good idea to use an OBD2 scanner and clear the codes manually. That way, you start fresh and can easily see if any new issues come up. If you don’t clear the codes, the check engine light might stay on even after fixing the issue.
Is it normal for the sensor to be oily?
It can have some oil near it, but it shouldn’t be soaked. If there’s too much oil, it could mean a leak somewhere in the engine. Wipe it clean and check back after a few drives. If it keeps getting oily, you might need to check the valve covers or gaskets. But a little grime is okay—it lives in a hot, oily area.
Do I need to take my truck to a shop?
Only if you feel unsure. Honestly, most people can do this fix at home with basic tools and a bit of patience. Watching a few videos and reading guides like this one makes a big difference. If your truck is having serious issues or you can’t access the sensor, then sure—a shop might help. But many beginners have done this repair just fine.