dad's 86 buick won't start

[Mike70gtx]

He has a 86 FWD 3800. This is probably not the place to ask. But I drove it last and I can't work on my 87 GN until I get his running. (Will that qualify?). It was driving fine, shut it down to go in somewhere, when I came back to start. Just cranks. Has fuel but no spark. Is there anything common to these. It doesn't look like the ignition module is below the coil. Where is cam sensor (is there one?) and how do I check.
Appreciate any help or advice where to go to get some.
Thanks

 

[gofstbuick]

Pull the cam sensor top and see if it spins when the engine is cranked. If not, pull the cam sensor and see if the timing chain is still intact. Probably broke timing chain. If not, follow trouble tree for no start from any service manual

 

[turbofish38]

The FWD use a different cam sensor than our cars. The cam sensor sits on the front cover. Two really common problems. The magnet that sits on the cam gear is broken or is de-magnatized or a broken timing chain. Pull a plug to see if it pumps to check the chain. If you do have to replace the magnet make sure you put the copper washer back on to keep it from magnatizing the cam gear.

 

[Mike70gtx]

Thanks alot guys. I'll check it out.

 

[Mike70gtx]

Where, specifically is the cam sensor? I looked on passenger side, where all the pulleys are at. Unless it hidden under the alternator or something.

 

[topfuel]

Originally posted by Mike70gtx
Where, specifically is the cam sensor? I looked on passenger side, where all the pulleys are at. Unless it hidden under the alternator or something.

I'm going way back here but I think the crank sensor also reads
cam timing (or tdc #1) on the 3800 motors, so there is no seperate cam sensor.
Check the service manual and follow the flowchart like gofstbuick said. good luck...
My bet is a bad crank sensor.