that is a lot of money for just the timing problem. I spent a total of $150 to get my chain replaced, both sprockets, tensioner, etc. on my 88 lesabre with the 3800. That is including labor...

wow...$150 bux?

so you had your timing chain, cam magnet, cam position sensor, sprockets, cover plate and labour all covered and the fee was only $150?

Info please....

How bout an update....

Dealer just called me....the timing chain is fine, all covers and gaskets are fine... the magnet is still there, but it is cracked. They are going to replace the magnet and the sensor. For parts and labour...$515+tax.

He also mentioned a code 42 problem, electronic spark sensor...anyone know what that means?

If this bill comes out to $700 bones total, I'll be very happy, thats half of what I budgetted for, now I can get my new speakers and strut bar

a code 42 if memory serves me right is a problem witht he knock sensor. These are very easy to change. They are only $40 from autozone and it took me a total time of about 10 minutes to change the one on my LeSabre, and even less time on my brother'* 92 Bonneivlle. The knock sensor is located on the back, passenger side of the engine right next to the exhaust manifold/below the power steering. It has a single blue wire going to it.

I bought the tensioner for my LeSabre at GM for $17 I believe it was, the complete timing set from autozone for $50, then the labor was about $100. It only took the guy about 2 hours or so to do it.. I did not have a dealer do it, I had an independant mechanic.

Thx Custom...makes good sense to me, would it affect vehicle start up? I have been experience start up problems...(fingers crossed)

I didn't have any start-up problems when mine went bad.. I only had the SES light turn on all the time and would not turn off unless you floored the car, then it would finally turn off.

however, It is not always the knock sensor that causes the code 42 though. It could be something like the ICM or coil packs too I'd assume. Have you ever replaced the coil packs or the ICM? Last summer on my lesabre the ICM'* coolant packs in it burst allowing all the green gell crap to leak out and it could not keep the computer chips cooled off and they actually melted. My car would not start after it was warm sometimes, but then one morning it just wouldn't start. I did get it started long enough to drive 1/2 mile down the road to my mechanic.. it was only running on 4 cylinders though.

According to TECHinfo, Code 42 is the Electronic Crank circuit...or somthing like that, I want to think that this is related to the start up problems. The coil packs and ICM have not been changed (that I know of)

What is an ICM?

Sorry I just checked and you're right, code 42 is not the knock sensor, code 43 is.. anyway, the crank sensor sounds like your culprit here and it is also a common problems on the 3800. I believe 88-94'* had this problem. Don't quote me on that though. I know that atleast 92'* had that problem, I'm not sure after that though.
ICM="ignition control module." It is the module that is located directly below the coil packs, it has the wire harness attached to it.

Thx Custom....that cool....

Bah..I'm tired of updates, they called again, I need to wait until tomorrow, new chain et al....changed his mind I guess...$930....

Ugh...I'll let ya'l know when this mess is over