it is most likely the magnet in the cam sprocket. I had the same issue. i replaced the cam sensor because thats what the code said then the code didnt go away so i have to replace the cam magnet. you can use JB weld to get a new magnet in there if you take off the cam sensor and line everything up. I didnt do this as my timing chain was near failure and the damper had failed along time ago.
There was more than an inch of slack in the chain. i had a hard time putting the new one on because there was no slack.

The magnet broke out of its plastic housing which may still be in the camsprocket make sure you remove it if you are going to JB weld a new one in

The destroyed damper. the engine had only been rebuilt 56k miles before but i doubt they took the timing cover off to replace anything.

Might I know if I'm the only one not seeing these pics? Wouldn't be the first time, so no pressure to edit the post.

89 304,000 and counting

I had one go out in my Olds 88 when it had 34k original miles.

The one in my brother'* olds 88 went out after 130k original miles.

Heres a link to several good articles regarding the topic:

http://www.3800power.bravehost.com/c...nformation.htm

I'm now perfectly able to see the pictures on this page.
Also, sorry for holding this up so much. I'm trying to get a few things done around here, and that Bonneville is quite a lot harder to get to than mine. Plus, it doesn't seem to affect that much. I hope it'* just the sensor, though it seems more logical that the magnet would fall out rather than a 51K mile garaged sensor to go bad. Or so I think.

Just finished replacing a cam position sensor on my '92 Bonneville. Yes, I had just had a new water pump put on and started getting service engine lights. Knowing that everytime I let someone work on my cars they mess up something else, I looked to see what wires were near the water pump. Reaching down on the left side of the pump I could feel a connector plugged in. I disconnected it and inspected it. One pin had corrosion on it and it was wet inside. I dried the connector, cleaned it will PB Blaster and hooked it back up. No luck. The engine still ran poorly. I pulled the codes by shorting the A and B pins in the connector hanging under the dash and got a whole list of numbers. I disconnected the battery for a few minutes and reset the codes. I drove the car, (which ran rough, almost stalled a few times, etc) until the service engine light came back on. This time when I pulled the codes I only had a 41. I bought a new Cam Switch Sensor.($21) On the '92 all you need do is reach down on the left side of the water pump and locate the connector. The sensor mount is an eliptical shape with connector at one end and a 10MM hex head at the smaller end. The larger end contains the connector and the sensor which fits into a hole in the timing chain cover. The bolt can easily be removed without removing anything else or jacking up the car. Simply unplug the connector, remove the bolt, remove the one piece mount and sensor. Position the new sensor in the hole in the timing chain cover and reinstall the bolt.
I reset the codes again, drove the car and all is well. So if you ever change a water pump and you unplug the cam switch sensor, make sure to dry it out before you plug it back in, unlike my lazy mechanic.

Beezer, I'm glad you got yours fixed, but please don't post it in all the old cam sensor topics you find.

If you want to discuss it, start a new topic.