Camshaft Sensor=Multiport Fuel Injection Throttle Position Sensor???

[untouchablz]

91' Regal 74K, 3.8L V6 3800. I have a check engine light that was covered over with a sharpie either by the previous owner or the private dealer I purchased from.

I paid the standard 50 bucks for a diagnostic test. I just wanted to make sure it wasn't something absolutely neccessary. 'Peace of mind' kind of thing. The code 14 showed up, "No Signal from the Cam Sensor." From reading previous posts I see that it may or may not be a serious problem.

As of right now the engine rides pretty smooth, slight hesitation, and it stalled out once on my younger brother while braking in a residential area. I "re-learned" the idle, since I noticed there was a new battery installed.( I heard that this procedure would help the stalling, has not stalled since)

My question now is if I should go ahead a pay my mechanic to replace the sensor, if not will it cause more serious problems in the future?

Thanks in advance for all the help, you all have helped me in my previous inquiries.

PS. The auto shop also mentioned that the timing chain may be of concern due to the Code 14/Check engine light. He recommended the camshaftv sensor first since it is cheaper to replace than the timing chain. Thanks again evry1!

[untouchablz]

Hello,

91' Regal Gran Sport 3800 3.8L V6 73K.
I stalled out today when giving my lil brother a ride from a friends house. Code 41 showed up in the diagnostic ("No Signal from the Camshaft") I have been searching for prices for the camshaft sensor, with no luck.

If anyone knows where I can find one online, for a price quote and such I would deeply apprteciate it. Thanks in advance for any and all help

[maxwedge]

Not a lecture here, but what year, what engine, 3.8?, also need the engine code, second the cam sensor is not the tps you mentioned either. Code 14 refers to a coolant sensor, so you info is all over the place here. Lets get everything together and repost the required and accurate info.

[Jay93]

They are not the same. They're two completely different sensors, each giving the computer different data.

The camshaft sensor, as it's name implies, keeps the computer constantly up to date on where the camshaft is in it's rotation. Or another way to look at it, where each valve is in its cycle of opening and closing.

The tps tells the computer how far your foot has the throttle opened.

From these and other inputs from other sensors, the computer calculates when and for how long to pulse each injector, when to trigger each spark plug, etc.

g'luck

[Jay93]

Yeah, btw, I was gonna mention what maxwedge said... Give plenty of info in your posts.

I usually begin mine by mentioning I have a 93 Regal Gran Sport, 3800 62K miles. If it's a transmission question I'm asking, I'll also mention it's a 4T60E.

[untouchablz]

sry wedge, code 41 not 14. 91' regal Gran Sport 3.8L V6 3800.

[untouchablz]

Thanks Jay, Any ideas in where to locate the camshaft sensor, I'm just trying to save some money by purchasing the parts myself, then take it to the shop for the labor.

[maxwedge]

The cam sensor can cause difficult starting but will not cause a shutdown as a rule.. Also more commonly the magnet falls off the cam gear on the camshaft. You will need to look thru the sensor hole on the ft cover to see if the magnet is there as some one turns the engine over manually. If you stalled slowing down and the engine started right back up, other things can cause this, dirty throttle body and iac, sticking egr valve, intermittent maf operation.

[Jay93]

Untouch,
As you lean over the passenger side fender, looking down the left side of the water pump, you’ll see the cable leading to the camshaft sensor. You’ll probably need an inspection mirror to see the sensor itself.

I’m not sure if the 91 is different, but on my 93 I’d have to remove the coolant reservoir, serpentine belt and probably the water pump pulley for easier access. If you decide to remove the pulley, I’d recommend loosening the pulley bolts first. The belt will hold the pulley steady while loosening them. Likewise, when you put it back together, just snug the pulley bolts up, then install the belt, and then finish tightening the bolts down.

Max seems pretty familiar with what symptoms a faulty cam sensor will cause - I am not. But in my experience with OBD(1) equipped vehicles, the fault codes are pretty reliable. Typically, you’ll have some poor performance, hard starting and perhaps stalling for a while before the ecm throws a fault code. Then, the fault code is usually correct. However, there are times that some other bad component, an overheating problem, or even abusively hard driving can cause a fault code to show up against a perfectly good sensor.

BTW, If you don’t already have one, I’d recommend you get a service manual at the parts store. Some people like Chilton manuals; I usually prefer Haynes. Having said that, I’m not real happy with the Haynes manual for the Regal. They went a little overboard covering too many models of GM vehicles and engines in the Regal manual. Anyway, the emissions control section of a service manual will give you a lot of good information on the OBD system.

G’luck

[dwaynlakrz]

i have a 1991 gs 3800 --i paid 32 dollars at autozone--go to google ----Camshaft Sensor

[raybuick]

I would recommend replacing the sensor if the car seems to stall a lot. I had occasional stalling and as time went on it got harder and harder to restart car. i had to leave it for it to cool down for awhile. After i changed the sensor its never stalled and fires right up. If youre ever in a bind and cant get it restarted, try squirting water behind the harmonic balancer where the sensor sits. Only 71,000, it must of been babied.

[untouchablz]

thanks evry1, all the info is very helpful

[untouchablz]

thanks man, I appreciate all the info. I will definetly have to replace that sucker just to avoid the hassle of dealing with the stalling. My car will continue to get babied It's pretty clean other than some dents and dings around the body.

[untouchablz]

I just installed new crankshaft sensor today, disconnected the battery, engine light still on. Code 41 was the diagnostic code, "no signal camshaft sensor"

Advice from fellow AF members, said that cam sensor does not cause stalling. Which happened to my vehicle twice while slowing to a stop sign. I guess I will try replacing the camshaft sensor, and maybe the magnet if need be.

I will have to ask the mechanic to decide whether the magnet is neccessary. (Hope not but afraid so) The previous owner marked out the check engine light with a sharpie, I'm guessing it wasn't a simple $100,(cam sensor alone) I believe the magnet might be the culprit (cost more money according to the quote). I know it does not cause stalling, but this is the only conclusion I can arrive to. If anyone out there has any suggestions or experience with these 3800 blocks, i wouls appreciate any and all advice/help/criticisms. Thanks in advance


Engine code VIN=L

[maxwedge]

At that mileage replace and time replace the chain and gears while in there, if the magnet is gone of course. Still do not think the stall is the cam sensor though.