89 olds delta 88 cam position magnet

[fwhiggi]

How do you change the magnet for the cam position sensor?

[Bill V]

The magnet goes through the cam gear from the backside, so the correct way is to disassemble the front of the engine to that point (like replacing a timing chain).

I have read reports of people grinding the tabs off a new magnet and glueing it into place, but your timing chain is most likely ready for replacement anyway...

[capsman]

Fwhiggi. How much work was it to change your cam sensor and magnet? Do you need to take off the resonant damper to change just the sensor? Do you need to take off the chain cover to change the magnet?

[fwhiggi]

Originally Posted by capsman

Fwhiggi. How much work was it to change your cam sensor and magnet? Do you need to take off the resonant damper to change just the sensor? Do you need to take off the chain cover to change the magnet?

There is only one screw that holds the sensor in. It is not hard to change at all. The magnet is a different story however. The harmonic balancer and the timing chain cover must be taken of to replace it.. Might as well put a new chain and gears in while you're at it.

[capsman]

My car's problem is, it gets a check engine light code 41: not communicating with the cam sensor. Almost always it drives alright with the check engine light on. But it won't start. It gets no spark. If I park in the sun, it won't start. To get it to start, I open the passenger side door and spray a little water on the ECM computer under the glove box. Pretty soon it will start. So maybe I need to change the ECM. But that's expensive. I think I'll try the cam sensor first. Did your car have these same problems, and did you fix it?

[donbav]

Originally Posted by capsman

My car's problem is, it gets a check engine light code 41: not communicating with the cam sensor. Almost always it drives alright with the check engine light on. But it won't start. It gets no spark. If I park in the sun, it won't start. To get it to start, I open the passenger side door and spray a little water on the ECM computer under the glove box. Pretty soon it will start. So maybe I need to change the ECM. But that's expensive. I think I'll try the cam sensor first. Did your car have these same problems, and did you fix it?

Found this elsewhere:

Question: 1991 Oldsmobile 3800 mileage: 200k. 1. Service engine light is on. I did the paper clip thing. Code is 41. Does that mean the cam sensor is bad? 2. Temp light goes on at about 80 mph if I back off the gas it goes out in about 45 or seconds or so. Water pump going bad?

Answer: The cam sensor may be faulty or a “stretched” or worn timing chain would also give you a code 41. We do not think the water pump is at fault. A partially plugged radiator may be causing your problem. Have the radiator “boiled” out at a radiator service center.

Might be cheaper to fix than you think...