tonight i was driving home and noticed the SES light was on. sometimes it comes on and then goes out the next time i turn on the car, but i also noticed the engine running a little on the rough side. example, i pulled up to a stop sign, and while idling, the rpms dropped and it sounded like it was going to die but they shot back up, but still sounding a little rough. so i got home and while in park gave the gas a quick tap, and the rpms dropped to about 300-400, lights dim, and sounds like it'* going to die and they jump back up, only for the car to sound rough again. if i give a half decent rev, to about 3000, it bogs, drops a bit them gets up. i have no idea where to start, someone please help.

thanks
justin.

Start with this

http://www.bonnevilleclub.com/techinfo/?article=34

You can find the code that was set and go from there. Once you have the code let us know and we can help you further.

ok, it flashed four times then once, so apparently i have code 41. "Cam sensor circuit loss of signal". real fun. please tell me there'* a solution.

justin.

Oh boy the code 41. When you first seen it happen, did you happen to be passing someone or in the higher RPM range??


That is what happened to mine. Basically, one of the things that can happen, is that the end of the camshaft, has a spring and a "button" that sits against the timing chain cover. With time and age, the spring gets weak, and at higher RPM the cam can actually start to "walk" out and the magnet then hits the cam sensor, and you usually have to get the sensor and magnet changed.

You can do it yourself. Try using the search function for "code 41" or "cam magnet".

I will see if I can find the posts that dealt with it.


EDIT: here this is padgett'* webpage with how to do this.

http://bellsouthpwp.net/p/a/padgett46/cammag.htm

thanks a lot man, i found some posts that helped me out. i'm going to check the magnet status tomorrow

justin.

Had this same exact problem not 3 weeks ago. The magnet jumped its sprocket.

See here to fix it. This works.

http://www.6007.us

Click Pontiacs at the top. Then click Assorted Articles, Code Deciphering, and Musings, then click Simple Cam Magnet Replacement on a 3800.

Padgett is a wealth of 3800/bonneville information. Good luck. If you need any additional information, please do not hesitate to email me calebr@verizon.net or PM me since I just did this and its still fresh in mind.

thanks alot man, haven't got around to it yet, weekend was busy. tomorrow night possibly, i'll let you know how it goes.

interrupter'* gone. got a new one, installing it within the next few days, until then she sits dorment because cranking the engine by hand was not the most enjoyable, needless to say. thanks for the help!

-justin