92 Buick Regal - Error Code 41

[Jeff Duchscher]

I have a '92 Buick Regal - 3800. Recently my check engine light has started to go on and off. Also my car has picked up an occasional hesitation (runs fine most of the time, but hesitates a little and then comes out of it). I checked the codes and came up with error code 41 (which is the cam sensor signal). I took the car to the shop and they replaced the cam sensor, timing chain, magnet….took the car out and the same thing. I ran the car for awhile and took it back to the shop and they did a few more things and car runs the same. This has been ongoing for a couple years. Now my car died out and want run. I’m tired of spending money at the shop and not getting results. Any ideas what it might be…ICM, Coil Packs, ECM, EGR Valve???? Any assistance would be appreciated.

[Jeff Duchscher]

Some additional information. The spark plugs have spark when trying to start. Also, the fuel pump is working, but I'm not getting fuel to the motor.

After the car sits for an extended period of time and I try to start it, it does start for a split second and then dies and won't restart at all. If I leave it sit for awhile the same thing. Something else to note. When the car was in running condition, the colder outside the better the car ran (I'm talking like below 20 degrees), the warmer the air temp the more it picked up a hesitation. Hope this information helps.

[HotZ28]

Code 41 could also indicate a fault with the crank positions sensor sensor (CKPS) on your particular engine.

[big white bufflo]

im with hot z the crank sensor are know trouble with this motor i have a 92 buick same motor it would often when driving on the high way seem to shut off then resume i call it a hiccup but then one day i drove it some were came out after 1 hr it did not start got ride home came back for car couple hrs later it started up after beating my head and reading the manuel i decided to replce the crank sensor no trouble since

[Jeff Duchscher]

I appreciate the help. How difficult is it to replace the Crank Sensor? Any instructions you could provide would be helpful.

[big white bufflo]

remove pass tire ,remove the flaps to gain access to harmonic balancer,remove harmonic balancer useing a three jaw puller you can rent one from autozone or murrys , the sensor is on the front of motor . the tricky part is realining the new sensor gm has a tool for it but i just slightly tighten the screws just so you can bump it around slide balancer in place till the slip ring gets between the sensor make sure you have a gap on both side of ring remove balancer then tighten it up totaly put back together the part should cost about 75 $

[richtazz]

Another CKPS air gap trick, trim a small strip off of a business card and double it over. Slide it between the CKPS and the balancer and let the sensor magnet draw up to the reluctor with the business card strip pinched between. Tighten the CKPS retainer bolt, then remove the strip of business card. This is just about a perfect air gap (.018"-.025") to keep the sensor from getting hit by the balancer.

FYI, you may also want to check your balancer, as they are a known issue on these engines. The rubber isolator ring separates from the steel pulley/center section and cause CKPS and CMPS sensor codes and/or a possible knocking/clunking noise from the front of the engine.

[Fire7]

im having crank sensor problems with my car, 3.8 3800, its 35 for a lifetime warranty part from advanced auto parts. after reading up on replacing it myself, im half tempted to have mieneke do it for 100 bucks. im not sure what to look for in a bad ballancer. but they are right. ballancer can trip the codes for the sensor. my question on that is would the ballancer trip a code 41? beings the camsensor is not right up against the ballancer.