Cam Sensor

[Don Hudd]

Hi all,

I posted about this a while back. Car is coding a cam sensor. I asked if it would hurt to drive and was told no. It has run fine but today it started stalling after driving about 7 miles. Restarts fine dive more then stall, etc.

Any ideas?

Thanks,

Don

[DAVES89]

I would look at the Ignition Control Module. Is there any green gunk that might have oozed out and is on the radiator hose? If so replace that and the coil pack. Ignition system of choice is the Delco.

[Don Hudd]

Thanks Dave, on my way home(6miles), it stalled when I took foot off gas, put in nutrual started up, ran as long as I gave it gas

[Ronnie]

Thanks Dave, on my way home(6miles), it stalled when I took foot off gas, put in nutrual started up, ran as long as I gave it gas

It's possible you have a dirty or defective Idle Air Controller (IAC). Here are Padgett's instructions for cleaning it if you want to try that.

Reatta Owners Journal - Cleaning the IAC (3800)

Dave's information is correct. The Crankshaft Position Sensor can give similar symptoms when it is going bad as well. Neither one will set a code. Both are much easier to troubleshoot if the engine will not run at all. If you have a fuel pressure gauge you could check the pressure to rule out a bad fuel pump.

[Don Hudd]

thanks Ronnie, will try cleaning, no preasure gauges though, thought about fuel pump but it starts and runs til driving for awhile, sometimes can feel for lack of a better word a bump or stutter

[Don Hudd]

update, just changed coil pack, took it for test drive, 1st mile no codes at all then code warning came on, stalled, restarted got home checked codes e041 and e042, i know 041 is cam sensor and 042 ignition. ???

[Ronnie]

Assuming you installed the correct ICM, it's like likely you have a bad or dirty connection where the wiring harness plugs into the new ICM. Make sure you didn't install and extra gasket where the ICM harness plugs in. The code 42 (ignition spark timing I think) is saying the ECM is not getting a signal from the ICM. It could also be a bad ECM but in your case I doubt it.

[Ronnie]

BTW, the engine will run poorly as long as the code 42 is set. The ignition timing won't be correct.

[Don Hudd]

thanks ronnie. i tried to find the cam maget tutorial on your site but can't find it. also where is the cam sensor it's self? i have driven it since june with the cam sensor code but was told it was ok to do so. thanks again ronnie

[Ronnie]

Here is a link to Padgett's cam magnet repair tutorial.

Simple 3800 Cam Sensor Magnet Replacement - Reatta Owners Journal

The cam sensor is located on the timing chain cover. Padgett's tutorial will explain. I would concentrate on the code 42 first.

[Don Hudd]

got thanks

[Don Hudd]

looks like maget is there and intact. am going to change sensor. do i need to clean maget in anyway first?, the code 042 now showed as history before i tackle sensor. thank again to all!!

[chipcross]

I, too, am experiencing this exact same thing, so I am very interested, Don, on how your repairs will work. Since I am not a mechanic, my 90 Reatta is now in the shop. My mechanic has found a cracked cam sensor magnet and the wires to the sensor are worn. He will also replace the IAC, since the car is nearly 100K and dirty. We'll see if these repairs fix the problem. (I already replaced the plugs, wires and installed the Delco coil).