Chrysler 54 Distributor Sync Pickup Circuit
How to read it
Code 54 reads as 5 flashes, pause, 4 flashes on the check-engine light. Cycle the ignition key on, off, on, off, then leave it on with the engine off, and count the flashes on the power loss or check-engine light.
New to flash codes? The How to Read Chrysler OBD-I Codes with the Key Cycle walks through the test and what the numbers mean. The general OBD-I guide covers the rest.
What does Chrysler code 54 mean?
Distributor Sync Pickup Circuit
Common causes of 54
- Failed distributor synchronization pickup
- Open or shorted pickup signal wire
- Faulty distributor assembly
- Damaged controller pickup input
How to fix 54
- Check for related distributor reference codes and diagnose those first
- Inspect the distributor pickup wiring and connector for damage
- Test the sync pickup signal per the service manual
- Verify distributor installation and timing before replacing parts
- Replace the pickup or distributor only after wiring tests good
- Clear the code and confirm the engine starts and runs
Sources and review
Review: qualified. Read the source limits below.
- Chrysler OBD-I trouble codes, model and year page
live reference page (troublecodes.net)
Supports: code identity and Chrysler meaning
Fetched directly from the linked model page. Single publisher, so the record is qualified, not verified. Causes and check order are curator-written from the circuit the code names.
- Chrysler OBD-I trouble codes, model and year page
live reference page (troublecodes.net)
Supports: code identity and Chrysler meaning
Fetched directly from the linked model page. Single publisher, so the record is qualified, not verified. Causes and check order are curator-written from the circuit the code names.
Last updated 2026-10-10.
Report a correction for 54. Include your vehicle, the issue and a source if you have one.