Can I pick your brain? 91 buick 3800 v-6

[Turdle]

My daughter has a 91 buick regal, it is displaying code 41, camshaft position sensor. I have removed the sensor, checked supply voltages from ecu, they are there. I do not have a harness to check its operation, however the new sensor is only 25 bux. I noticed while shopping for the part, there is also an Interupter, mounted on the camshaft.
I have asked about this on a buick forum, however, as you can guess, there aren't a whole lot of buick enthusasts aou there. No responses.

My question, is it common for the sensor to fail, or worse, is the more likely culprit the interupter?

My daughter uses this car to commute to class 1 day per week, 300 mile round trip, for her travel to classes here, and for work. It is not down, runs fine, however the code bothers me. I must repair this.

Thanks for reading, if you have any ideas, please respond

Jon

 

[410Fortune]

check for Beretta forums, they use the same V6

I just helped my neighbor diagnose a problem with his 90 Buick POS with the 3.1L V6 FWD, what a PITA! He had replaced the IAC, the TPS, the 02 sensor, the plugs, wires, fuel filter etc then I went over there to see if I could help. His brother in law is a diesel mechanic and insists the problem is the EGR, blah blah blah I found fuel in the vacuum line to the FPR and told him lets replace the FPR, he still doesnt believe me and they just spent $300 for a new EGR, hahahaha still doing it.
Maybe they will listen to me now? maybe not....

Anyways my point is I knew nothing about this engine, but I found a bunch of info on line about the 3.1-3.8L V6, most of it coming from Beretta forums.

Did I mention I hate FWD?

 

[Turdle]

K
seems as if it was the sensor after all.
I thought no check engine light would make me feel better.

No
It is still a Buick

Still no response from any GM forum ( idiots)

I guess this site gives me high expectations !!!

 

[F14CRAZY]

I'm sorry man, I hope it isn't too late. I've spent my past year making 2k+ or so posts at the Reatta.net/AACA discussion board. I've authored many threads there, including the 12 page "it's real" thread on supercharging.

Anyway, hate to make you mad, but this is the easy way to replace the camshaft interruptor of a 3800. I've done it myself with great results.

 

[F14CRAZY]

And yeah, I've got over 3k+ posts there, also as F14CRAZY and have tackled discussed about every possible problem there. Now I'm a little slow with Explorers. Been thinking 3800 LN3s and 4T60s, not Cologne 4.0L OHVs and A4LDs.

 

[96ExplorerXL4x4]

www.BonnevilleClub.com

the 87-91 bonnies have the same engine and we have a lot of info. on our site regarding this problem.

I JUST replaced the cam sensor in my 92 SSEi because of a cam code.

My guess, the magnet on the cam has came off, common on the first gen 3.8L V6's. Did you check inside the cam once you took off the sensor to see if the magnet was still there? (you may need to rotate the cam manualy by wrench until it's in view).

If you do join Bonneville Club, my SN over there is driverjohn2005

Good luck!

 

[F14CRAZY]

I'm F14CRAZY at Bonnevilleclub as well...

 

[Turdle]

Well, I guess I went to the wrong forum lol

Thanks for the help though, it was just the sensor itself, so far no problems.

 

[F14CRAZY]

You lucked out! With my experience with 5 different Reattas, its always been the interruptor.