1987-1991 Parley with regards to your 1987 to 1991 Bonneville, Olds 88 or Buick Le Sabre Please use General Chat for non-mechanical issues, and Performance and Brainstorming for improvements.

Cam sensor location 1988 Bonneville

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 10-13-2009, 10:02 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Thread Starter
 
GaryH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GaryH is on a distinguished road
Cool Cam sensor location 1988 Bonneville

Where is the cam sensor on a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville? None of my books really show where it is at. Anyone have a picture of the location? Also, the battery is intermittently being drained but I can't find the source. It goes from say 12.5V down to 12V overnight. In a few days it may go down to 8 volts. I have a VOM and a AC/DC clamp on ammeter. Or do I need to get a gauge that shows milliamps ? Thanks for any help. I really want to keep my old Bonny on the road. I bought her new and now have 187,000 miles on her. Thanks again, Gary
Old 10-14-2009, 08:16 AM
  #2  
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS

Expert Gearhead
 
BillBoost37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
BillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

It should be located down and to the left of the WP pulley.
Old 10-14-2009, 08:40 AM
  #3  
Senior Member
Posts like a 4 Banger
 
2001SCBONNE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: DuPage IL
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
2001SCBONNE is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by GaryH
Where is the cam sensor on a 1988 Pontiac Bonneville? None of my books really show where it is at. Anyone have a picture of the location? Also, the battery is intermittently being drained but I can't find the source. It goes from say 12.5V down to 12V overnight. In a few days it may go down to 8 volts. I have a VOM and a AC/DC clamp on ammeter. Or do I need to get a gauge that shows milliamps ? Thanks for any help. I really want to keep my old Bonny on the road. I bought her new and now have 187,000 miles on her. Thanks again, Gary

How old is the bateery? maybe pull it and have it tested at a parts store. Same with the alternator.
But if you have a draw you will need to put the VOM in line between the negative battery cable and the battery. Put the red lead on the negative cable and the negative lead on the battery. I would start by measuring amps. If you dont get a reading then switch down to milliamps. If is more than about 250 mA than you have a draw. If you have any add ons to the car IE stereo, video, amps etc, I would disconect those to start and see if those are the draw. If those don't do it than you would need to start pulling fuses to see what circuiot has the draw. You will need wiring diagrams to figure what is on each circuit.
Old 10-14-2009, 10:39 PM
  #4  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Thread Starter
 
GaryH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GaryH is on a distinguished road
Default

Thanks for the info. The battery is almost new, bought it in May of this year. I just replaced the alternator a couple of months ago. I have a lifetime one from Schucks. I think I am on my 3rd alternator in about 6 yrs or more though. It paid to go with the lifetime guaranteed one. The only aftermarket item is the cd player my son and I installed.a couple of years ago. It doesn't have a lot of clearance behind the radio so I think thats the first place I will look. I replaced the power antenna with a non-power one about 5 years ago or more. I will recheck the wiring and make sure it is taped off. Thanks again. Gary
Old 10-15-2009, 10:04 PM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a Northstar
 
dandyd's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Posts: 505
Received 50 Likes on 46 Posts
dandyd is on a distinguished road
Default

Why do you need the Cam Sensor? If your Check Engine light is showing CS, and you replace the CS and it'* still on, the problem you have is the Magnetic Pick-Up on the Cam Gear. You'll need to pull the HB and remove cover....while you're at it you might as well replace chain and gears.
Old 10-17-2009, 12:33 AM
  #6  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Thread Starter
 
GaryH's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
GaryH is on a distinguished road
Default cam sensor

I got the code for something wrong in the cam sensor circuit. I think it is code 41. I don't even know where the cam sensor is yet. I haven't replaced it yet. The car tries to hesitate when you pull away from a stop sign. Any pictures of where the sensor is at would be greatly appreciated. 1988 Bonneville engine code c. Thanks, Gary
Old 10-17-2009, 09:27 AM
  #7  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
2kg4u's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Windsor, Ontario / Detroit, Michigan
Posts: 4,816
Received 241 Likes on 198 Posts
2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of2kg4u has much to be proud of
Default

Just a suggestion, but if you are going to be maintaining your Bonneville to keep her on the road, you might want to invest in a factory service manual. Here'* one on Ebay for $20: 1988 Pontiac Bonneville Service Shop Repair Manual Oem :eBay Motors (item 400068228444 end time Nov-15-09 17:57:36 PST)
Old 10-22-2009, 03:25 PM
  #8  
Junior Member
 
mtdjag's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
mtdjag is on a distinguished road
Default

hi, the sensor is behind just behind the crankshaft pulley. You can easily get to it from the right, front wheel well. Just remove the plastic shield between the well and the engine compartment. The sensor is fastened with just one small bolt and can then be removed.

I just had a problem with camshaft sensor but the issue was the magnet fitted on the camshaft itself. This is normally a quite extensive job as the cover plate needs to be removed. However, it was a method desribed on the Internet on how to do this by cementing a new magnet onto the camshaft, working through the hole for the sensor and not removing the plate. I did this and it works just fine. I've tried to find the location on internet but not been able to find it again....:(
Old 10-22-2009, 07:18 PM
  #9  
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
 
sir_raric's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
sir_raric is on a distinguished road
Default

Code 41: lost cam magnet in 3800

hope that link will help, it will atleast show you where it is. Good Luck.

Last edited by sir_raric; 10-23-2009 at 01:15 AM. Reason: typo
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
GaryH
1987-1991
3
05-23-2010 12:12 PM
Geforce
1992-1999
1
06-17-2009 08:44 PM
MileHighSSEi
1992-1999
9
03-15-2008 06:01 PM
Sprig
Everything Electrical & Electronic
3
06-17-2006 10:13 AM
Pontiac1983
1992-1999
4
11-10-2003 07:37 PM



Quick Reply: Cam sensor location 1988 Bonneville



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 10:48 PM.