1992 cam sensor error question

[josh8966]

Hello everyone,

I have a 92 PA that recently had a service engine soon light come on while accelerating hard. The error code is 41 which means one of three things
1) Bad control module (carb. models only)
2) Cam sensor circuit
3) Bad ECM/PROM chip

So, those are more or less the options in Chiltons. Ive read some similar problems on the forum and tried replacing the cam sensor and resetting the computer to erase the error, but it came back again.

Is trying to replace the ECM the next best course of action, or could there be some other thing causing the problem? By the way, he car is running fine. However, at idling speeds Ive noticed its running slightly more rough. Nothing serious however.

The weird thing is I had this same mysterious problem on my 89 lesabre, but it affected engine preformance considerably.

Any advice/wisdom on this subject would be greatly appercaited.
Thanks,
Josh A
Proud Buick Owner

[HotZ28]

You need to check the interrupter (magnet) in the cam gear. Pull the cam sensor & look in the hole to see it. You may have to turn the engine with a socket on the harmonic balancer & use a mirror so the magnet can be seen. (if it is still there) Click Here for more info

[josh8966]

Thanks,
That article was just what I needed. Ive yet to check for the magnet, but Ive got a gut feeling thats what it is. I bought some JB weld and tested it on some pennies while waiting for the new magnet part to arrive (Figure even if the magnet isnt the problem, it doesnt hurt to have one around at $9.) JB weld is amazing, Im glad I finally found out about this stuff.

Waiting for a good time to let my car sit overnight to harden before I install the new magnet but Im hoping for the best.

Josh

[Jrs3800]

If its the magnet, what will happen is the PCM will try to run on the last good known sequence... But the funny part is you have a 1 in 6 chance of the car running exactly as it should where the fuel timing is related...

The Cam Sensor is only a reference pulse for Cylinder #1 TDC, The PCM uses this For the Sequential Fuel Injection.... Being that you have a Code 41, you are running a little degraded in terms of performance and fuel consumption..

This happened to my 91 Pontiac with the 3800... I went ahead at the time and replaced the Chain set and bought a new Magnet..

Padgett was at one time a member of our forum in the Pontiac World.... And had that great write up as he had to do this very thing with his 88 or 90 Bonneville... So far a series of people have used this method with no problems at all..

Hope his write up from the past serves you well...

[josh8966]

This turned out to be the problem and it seems to be fixed now. Thanks guys!