What exactly is the function of the cam sensor on the 3800 (1987) engine? I hear all the time about the sensor itself or the magnet breaking, yet the cars can be (and often are) driven that way indefinitely. What problems with drivability are encountered when this sensor is not functional?
I have read that the cam sensor will enable sequential injection. Without it, the system reverts to multi port injection. I would not expect any drivability problems. I would expect fuel usage to be higher though.
This is what I have in the 90 Reatta. It will probably set a code, but I find nothing really noticeable with the power, economy, response. Discussed it with a mechanic and he said it isnt worth the pain to replace, unless you are going in the engine anyway.
My aunt's 91 Regal Custom 3800 actually ran better in batch mode after the magnet let go.
It happened when I floored it merging onto the interstate from a truck stop.
FWIW, it turns out I said the car was the wrong year, if anyone's interested. I had forwarded the responses to my original question here to te cars owner, who said the car had a hesitation and somewhat lousy mileage, and he thought the cam sensor issue was the culprit. I posted the question here on my own. I have to top-post and the thread will display backwards beause I'm using the old webtv to post this. Anyway, this is just a follow-up if anyone is still interested or wishes to comment further: =EF=BB=BF Wrong year, its an '89. The 87 wasn't a 3800, just a regular old 3.8L. I've had two mechanics tell me a missing cam signal does cause a drivibility issue, most notably a hesitation and poor fuel mileage. The first one was my high school shop teacher that had been working on cars for 30 something years when I found the code 41 but he didn't know about the magnet problem. The other was where I found out something let's go in the engine instead of it being just the sensor
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*************************************************** This is what I have in the 90 Reatta. It will probably set a code, but I find nothing really noticeable with the power, economy, response. Discussed it with a mechanic and he said it isnt worth the pain to replace, unless you are going in the engine anyway.
"James Goforth" wrote in I've had two mechanics tell me a missing cam signal does cause a drivibility issue, most notably a hesitation and poor fuel mileage.
**** And I have told you my 90' Reatta has this problem and it doesnt cause any problem at all. I am not lying to you.Do what you want to do..
hls said, "And I have told you my 90' Reatta has this problem and it doesnt cause any problem at all. I am not lying to you.
Do what you want to do.."
*************************** Yeah, I know, LOL, I just posted that follow up for the hell of it, I'm with ya, thanks for the reply.MotorsForum website is not affiliated with any of the manufacturers or service providers discussed here. All logos and trade names are the property of their respective owners.