"88 Olds Cutlass

Tiny
MOPARMANIA51
  • MEMBER
  • 1988 OLDSMOBILE CUTLASS
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 42,000 MILES
We replaced the cam sensor and checked for spark. We have spark and the car will run when the air horn is sprayed with starting fluid. There is power at one leg of the injectors when the key is on. We were told that there is a magnet on the timing gear. When we removed the cam sensor we used a mirror and rotated the engine with a wrench to see if there was a magnet. We see that there is a hole in the gear for a magnet but there is nothing there. The car will run OK until it burns off the spray.
Saturday, December 18th, 2010 AT 8:42 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
OBXAUTOMEDIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,711 POSTS
Hello,

Ok, sounds like a fuel problem, since you can spray starting fluid in it and it run.

Check fuel pump relay it is located in front of driver side shock tower.... Follow link below for proceedure..

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Check fuel pressure and fuel pressure regulator.... follow link for proceedure....

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-fuel-system-pressure-and-regulator

If above all check out check for Clogged Fuel Filter

.
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Saturday, December 18th, 2010 AT 9:15 PM
Tiny
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I forgot to add that we used a "GM Node Tester" for the injectors and found that they were not working.
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Saturday, December 18th, 2010 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
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Ok are the Injectors not working or is it that they are not getting power. If no power check fuse #9 a red 10 amp fuse.
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Saturday, December 18th, 2010 AT 11:23 PM
Tiny
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They have been checked and there is power to one side of the injector connector when checked with a test light with the key on. The node tester shows no power when you use them. What controls power to the injectors? The cam sensor, the crank sensor? The fuel pump is working, all the fuses and panels have been checked. Also can anyone show me a detailed view as to what the timing gear is supposed to look like in the area that passes the cam sensor. Mine has a blank hole in it. Someone told me there should be a magnet there while another person told me that the hole breaks contact with the magnetic field that the cam sensor produces. Looking for all the help I can get as I don't want to tear this motor down any more than need be.
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Sunday, December 19th, 2010 AT 4:26 PM
Tiny
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Ok, here is a pic of the Cam Timing Gear.... The person who told you that the hole breaks contact is correct, the breaking of the magnetic field creates the Pulse the computer needs.

https://www.2carpros.com/images/external/999930.jpg

On many engines with distributorless ignition systems and sequential fuel injection, a camshaft position sensor is used to keep the engine's control module informed about the relative position of the crankshaft. By monitoring cam position (which allows the control module to determine when the intake and exhaust valves are opening and closing), the control module can use the cam position sensor's input along with that from the crankshaft position sensor to determine which cylinder in the engine's firing sequence is approaching top dead center. This information is then used by the engine control module to synchronize the pulsing of sequential fuel injectors so they match the firing order of the engine. On some applications, input from the camshaft position sensor is also required for ignition timing.

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Sunday, December 19th, 2010 AT 6:19 PM

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