crankshaft sensor

[Hyla1967]

My 1991 Bonneville is showing two symptons, one it has what seems to be a hesitation or miss while you are accelerating and secondly when you first start out the car shakes. The local Sears is telling me crankshaft sensor, I like to be sure that the symptons match the dignosis before I ok repairs. I have been taken for a ride a few times, mostly because i am a woman. Any opinions or anyone have this problem?

[daman]

ses light on

[Hyla1967]

No light at all comes on

[thecommi]

Camshaft sensor is a strong possibility since it is a very common sensor to fail on the 3800 motors. Usually what happens is there is alittle magnet pressed into a gear that is mounted to the camshaft, when the magnet comes around, the sensor picks it up and closes a circuit, which in turn sends a signal back to the computer. well.... the magnets like to fall out, some times all the way, and other times just enough that the sensor doesnt pick it up all the time. that is usually a big job, but no way to know for sure unless you accually take the thing apart.

[Hyla1967]

ok so I have had that replaced and it still is doing it, when you start out it almost feels as though you are riding on rumble strips. It only last about 2-3 seconds and then the car rides fine. Any suggestions?

[shrty_19]

Did you also have the camshaft interrupter-magnet replaced?

[bridget36907]

Originally Posted by shrty_19

Did you also have the camshaft interrupter-magnet replaced?

ok what is that and where is it?

[Bravo Garage]

Originally Posted by bridget36907

ok what is that and where is it?

The cam shaft magnet is on the cam shaft sprocket inside the timing belt housing. It cost $12 at the dealer for the part. It takes a couple hours to replace for a novice. When the magnet on mine fell out, the magnet went all the way to the oil pan. I replaced the coil pack, cam shaft sensor, crank shaft sensor, then found out that it was the magnet on the cam shaft sprocket. My car was running fine with out it, but the SES came on, then I checked the codes, which stated all items listed above, when I asked a professional mechanic for some assistance, the recommended the crank shaft sensor, (this apparently causes lots of different problem when it goes bad) I have heard of several different symptons when the crank shaft sensor has gone bad. If SES light comes on get the codes or have them looked up for you, this will eliminate choosing the incorrect part for the fix.

[bridget36907]

ok i am sorry you are saying cam shat he said crank shaft..let me know thanks

[Flatrater]

It sounds like a misfire to me!