Cam Positioning sensor and removal tool for 1992 Grand Prix

[picture09]

Grand prix won't start, had the ignition module checked and it was good so they said might be the cam positioning sensor. My husband says he'll try and change this, so my question is, what special tool does he need to remove this part and where might I find one. Tried auto store and they don't sell them. Repair manual says that a special tool is needed. Thank

[richtazz]

Welcome to AF.

In the future, it would help to include the engine size and mileage in your posts.

That being said, neither of the engines your car could have (3.1 or 3.4-DOHC) even have a cam position sensor. They may have meant crank position sensor or they are clueless parts monkeys. The crank position sensor is located in the back of the block (toward the firewall) just above the oil pan rail. It's kind of hard to get to, and sometimes they get stuck in the block and are next to impossible to remove without breaking. The part itself is not expensive ($15-$20) and is easy to replace (just a two wire harness and 1 bolt) if the old one isn't stuck in the block.

[tblake]

Rich, dont the 3100's have a cam position sensor near the power steering pump mounted in the LIM? Is the 3.1mpfi different?

Besides what the parts monkeys dont realize is that even if your car had a cam position sensor and it was bad, your PCM/ECM would switch to batch fire mode of the injectors and your car would still start.

I agree with Rich, the crank position sensor is more likely the culprit.

[richtazz]

GM didn't start installing cam sensors on 3.1/3100's until 93. They revised the VIN-T 3.1's in 93 for California emissions only (RPO code NB2) to include a cam sensor, as well as 2 crank sensors (one behind the balancer and one in the back of the block, but non-NB2 Vin-T's in 93 still had only one crank sensor and no cam sensor.

It wasn't until late 93-94 with the VIN-M 3100 that GM started using cam sensors as well as the 2 crank sensors on 50 state 3100's.

[picture09]

I am sorry. the engine is a 3.1 and and it has about 145,000 miles He may have meant to say crank instead of cam, but when I called O'Reilly's about the cam sensor they gave me a price of 37.00. lol anyway thanks

[richtazz]

Again, this parts monkey at O-Reilly's doesn't know what he's talking about. If your car is a 1992 model (the tenth digit of your VIN # will be an " N"), and has a 3.1 engine (the 8th digit of the vin code is a "T"), then you do not have a cam sensor.

[igor@af]

AF 1 - O'Reilly 0

[richtazz]

Good one Igor , nice to see you in our humble little corner of AF!

[picture09]

ok it was a crank NOT a cam. guess I didn't hear the hubby right, so people none of you have told me if we need SPECIAL tool and if so where do I get it???

[richtazz]

We're just trying to make sure you get the correct part. The crank position sensor does not require any special tools to replace. It is held in place by 1 bolt (8mm or 10mm head) and has a 2 wire weather pack type connector. The biggest issue with changing a crank position sensor is if the o-ring seal is hardened and stuck in the block. I have seen many that break off in the block if you try to force it out. If that happens, you'll have to drop the engine cradle in order to drop the oil pan to drive the broken piece out.

[picture09]

thanks for the info.

[richtazz]

You are very welcome!

[picture09]

Now the Chilton car book says that the 92 grand prix has 2 crank sensors. Is that true and how do you know which one to change or do we change both?

[tblake]

Refir to post Number 4 by Rich.

I'm guessing your Chilton's book covers a broad range of years.