SES codes - serious?

[Jim R]

My SES light has been on for a few weeks. I borrowed a OBD/II reader
from AutoZone, and read the following codes:

P0133 - 02 Sensor CKT flow response (Bank 1 Sensor 1)

P0341 - Camshaft position sensor A Bank 1 CKT Range/Perf

P0133 - pd - same text as first, but with pending.

This is a 97 SL2 with about 162,000 highway miles.

How serious is the camshaft position sensor?

Thanks,
Jim

 

[Biker Geek]

How serious is the camshaft position sensor?

Fairly serious--isn't this what determines your ignition timing?
Or is that the crank position sensor?

with 162,000 miles I wonder if the timing chain is stretched or
worn to the point where it's affecting valve timing. If it's
really serious you could have a car that's "jumped time"--where
you've jumped a tooth or two on one of the sprockets.

 

[Kirk Kohnen]

The Saturns don't have a camshaft position sensor. The computer figures it
out based on the spark from the (IIRC) 1-4 coil.

Anyway, the 341 code is probably due to plugs and wires. You're misfiring,
and it's confusing the PCM's virtual camshaft position sensor. New plugs and
new wires should fix this.

Be sure to use dielectric grease on both ends of the wires, and anti-sieze
compound on the plug threads. Don't remove the plugs unless the engine is
first thing in the morning cold.

As for the 133 code, that's probably an O2 sensor.

 

[Oppie]

The Saturns don't have a camshaft position sensor. The computer figures it
out based on the spark from the (IIRC) 1-4 coil.

You can't make that flat statement these days with the other engines used by
Saturn. IIRC, the 6cyl, 3.0, L series engine is distributor-less and has
both crank and cam position sensors.
The OP did not state the model type or year...
Oppie

 

[Jim R]

You can't make that flat statement these days with the other engines used by
Saturn. IIRC, the 6cyl, 3.0, L series engine is distributor-less and has
both crank and cam position sensors.
The OP did not state the model type or year...
Oppie

Ummmm, yes I did.
"This is a 97 SL2 with about 162,000 highway miles."

I just replaced the plugs and wires based on other posts, and I reset
the codes. I'm hoping that was right, since it will save me about $150
from going to the dealer.

Jim

 

[blah blah]

Ummmm, yes I did.
"This is a 97 SL2 with about 162,000 highway miles."

I just replaced the plugs and wires based on other posts, and I reset
the codes. I'm hoping that was right, since it will save me about $150
from going to the dealer.

Jim

I think someone found a fix for this problem last year. I think it
involved regapping the plugs from .060 to .040
Also did you bother to check the resistance of your new plug wires?

 

[Kirk Kohnen]

Thanks for saving me the trouble of pointing out you had a 97 SL2.

Another post said it - plug gap 0.040", NOT 0.060.

Other than that, I bet plugs, wires, O2 sensor, dielectric grease and
anti-sieze compound and you'll be merrily on your way.

Good luck!