IHADAV8.com - Turbo Buick Tech, and Nonsense

Tech Area => General Buick Tech => Topic started by: Steve Wood on July 23 2012, 11:16:36 AM

Title: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: Steve Wood on July 23 2012, 11:16:36 AM

I have been trying to help a guy with a basically stock car try to sort out why it suddenly started missing and falling on its face when he got into it.

It appeared to be out of spec on one of the coil backs by a little, and I thought...a nice easy fix.  Wrong, it still did it with another coil pack.

He decided to unplug the cam sensor and, voila', it ran perfectly again.

It turned out that the vertical movement in the shaft was so much that it was allowing the "wheel" to rise so much that the window did not get a clear shot at the sensor.

When he pulled it out, the shims between the gear and housing were badly worn down at an angle and the movement was more than twice normal.  I guess between the wheel moving upward and turning further than normal, it was fubar.

Perhaps stuff can wear out after 25 years if the tolerances are a hair off.

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: Steve Wood on July 27 2012, 04:03:59 PM

When it wears down like this and shim is about gone, it may start, but it will run like crap when you step on it...will run okay if you unplug the cam sensor and  then step on it.

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: larrym on July 27 2012, 04:52:49 PM

That's ugly

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: Steve Wood on July 27 2012, 05:49:00 PM

yes, it is!  ground its way right into the housing

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: SuperSix on July 27 2012, 08:29:59 PM

Nice find..

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: gnonyx on July 27 2012, 09:40:59 PM

Hi Steve, I'm gathering he will be needing another cam sensor, and they are expensive.
There is one on Ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/221078370843?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/221078370843?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649) brand new $100.00 +S&H 17.34(need to bid) but it's from Standard, and I don't know their reputation on cam sensor.

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: daveismissing on July 27 2012, 09:47:35 PM

I believe them to be identical, were selling for 139 last year. Anything under $180 seems good lately.


Last used one I bought used had the the gear splines sharpened to knifeblades (eek)

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: SuperSix on July 27 2012, 10:05:53 PM

Not much but Standard is available. There was a flurry of cam sensor sales a while ago on tb.com - maybe a wanted ad over there may get you a cheap(er) one.

Title: Re: Another Cam Sensor Problem
Post by: Steve Wood on July 27 2012, 10:09:06 PM

the sensor has been replaced and the car is running properly again