Trying to locate engine number to determine 16 0r 32 cam

What engine ? It's a solenoid , usually located in the front of the valve cover , top or side .
Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) System

The VCT enables rotation of the camshaft(s) relative to the crankshaft rotation as a function of engine operating conditions. There are 4 types of VCT systems.

• Exhaust phase shifting (EPS) system - the exhaust cam is the active cam being retarded.
• Intake phase shifting (IPS) system - the intake cam is the active cam being advanced.
• Dual equal phase shifting (DEPS) system - both intake and exhaust cams are phase shifted and equally advanced or retarded.
• Dual independent phase shifting (DIPS) system - where both the intake and exhaust cams are shifted independently.

All systems have 4 operational modes: idle, part throttle, wide open throttle (WOT), and default mode. At idle and low engine speeds with closed throttle, the powertrain control module (PCM) determines the phase angle based on air flow, engine oil temperature and engine coolant temperature. At part and wide open throttle the PCM determines the phase angle based on engine RPM, load, and throttle position. VCT systems provide reduced emissions and enhanced engine power, fuel economy and idle quality. IPS systems also have the added benefit of improved torque. In addition, some VCT system applications can eliminate the need for an external exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) system. The elimination of the EGR system is accomplished by controlling the overlap time between the intake valve opening and exhaust valve closing. Currently, both the IPS and DEPS systems are used.
Variable Camshaft Timing (VCT) System
The VCT system consists of an electric hydraulic positioning control solenoid, a camshaft position (CMP) sensor, and a trigger wheel. The CMP trigger wheel has a number of equally spaced teeth equal to the number (n) of cylinders on a bank plus one extra tooth (n+1). Four cylinder and V8 engines use a CMP 4+1 tooth trigger wheel. V6 engines use a CMP 3+1 tooth trigger wheel. The extra tooth placed between the equally spaced teeth represents the CMP signal for that bank. A crankshaft position sensor (CKP) provides the PCM with crankshaft positioning information in 10 degree increments.

1. The PCM receives input signals from the intake air temperature (IAT) sensor, engine coolant temperature (ECT) sensor, engine oil temperature (EOT) sensor, CMP, throttle position (TP) sensor, mass air flow (MAF) sensor, and CKP to determine the operating conditions of the engine. At idle and low engine speeds with closed throttle, the PCM controls the camshaft position based on ECT, EOT, IAT, and MAF. During part and wide open throttle, the camshaft position is determined by engine RPM, load and throttle position. The VCT system does not operate until the engine is at normal operating temperature.

1. The VCT system is enabled by the PCM when the correct conditions are met.

1. The CKP signal is used as a reference for CMP positioning.

1. The VCT solenoid valve is an integral part of the VCT system. The solenoid valve controls the flow of engine oil in the VCT actuator assembly. As the PCM controls the duty cycle of the solenoid valve, oil pressure/flow advances or retards the cam timing. Duty cycles near 0% or 100% represent rapid movement of the camshaft. Retaining a fixed camshaft position is accomplished by dithering (oscillating) the solenoid valve duty cycle.
   
   The PCM calculates and determines the desired camshaft position. It continually updates the VCT solenoid duty cycle until the desired position is achieved. A difference between the desired and actual camshaft position represents a position error in the PCM VCT control loop. The PCM disables the VCT and places the camshaft in a default position if a concern is detected. A related DTC is also set when the concern is detected.

1. When the VCT solenoid is energized, engine oil is allowed to flow to the VCT actuator assembly which advances or retards the camshaft timing. One half of the VCT actuator is coupled to the camshaft and the other half is connected to the timing chain. Oil chambers between the 2 halves couple the camshaft to the timing chain. When the flow of oil is shifted from one side of the chamber to the other, the differential change in oil pressure forces the camshaft to rotate in either an advance or retard position depending on the oil flow.

The following link indicates where these numbers are located.

It includes an example breakdown of what the number means and that should assist in determining what number you are looking for.

The location varies by type of engine. But all are on the cylinder head block on a machined pad.

Repair Guides Serial Number Identification Engine AutoZone com

To answer the first question, "What does the cam sensor on a 01 Malibu do?": A cam sensor is actually a camshaft positioning sensor.

The Camshaft sensor determines which cylinder is firing to establish injector synchronization and coil firing sequence in DIS systems.

There is also a Crankshaft sensor which sets ignition timing, supply the RPM signal, and determines the engine speed.

The Camshaft Position sensor is typically located in the cylinder head of the engine and has a cylindrical portion that inserts into the head.

The Crankshaft Position sensor is normally located in the timing cover or on the side of the block with a cylindrical portion that inserts into the block.

You can read more about it here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crankshaft_position_sensor

I would first check for any OBD codes- and based upon what the reader displays, work from there. You may also want to have a copy of your car's injector circuit and wiring diagram available; along with a troubleshooting and testing guide for same.

Here's a youtube link that gives you some idea regarding a car's injector system: http://youtu.be/JTCgUY51g0s

There are a number of engine sensors on any modern motor. These sensors gather information like rpm's, engine coolant temp, crank and cam position, oil pressure, air temp, and throttle position just to name a few. The cars PCM ( power train control module) uses data from these sensors to determine how to run the engine and if it is safe to operate the engine.

You need to check fuse #32 7.5A and fuse #9 15A
Both in the inside fuse box.
There is also an accessory relay that the power goes through.

i would say your looking at a faulty cam shaft sensor..its located on front side of engine. this fixed the same problem i had..there are 2 sensors one being your cam shaft sensor (normal to go out) and the crank shaft sensor..these work inline with computer to determine correct timing.hope this helps

if the cam sensor is bad, it will definitely not start. The cam shaft position sensor's function is: the engine speed and crankshaft position information is supplied frome a sensor which is usually situated at the front or rear of the crankshaft. note that distributor-located engine speed sensor are generally being replaced with crank shaft-located sensors,as worn disributor drives and associated components can effect the accuracy of the engine speed signal.

A camshaft position sensor,or cylinder identification sensor is used to determin the engine cycle position the information is used to provide individual cylinder ignition and injection cotrol.Many engine mangement systems use an inductive type of sensor that is located near the camshaft;when the camshaft rotates a single signal is passed to the ECU to indicate a reference point in the engine cycle

That is pretty easy. If your Saturn is an SL1 it is single cam if it is an SL2 it is dual cam. That is the only difference between an SL1 and an SL2 - Saturn didn't even bother to put a tag or emblem anywhere on the body to differentiate between the the two models. The 8th digit in the VIN will confirm this for you. If the 8th digit is "7" it is a Dual Overhead Cam (DOHC) engine. If the 8th digit is a "9" then it is a Single Overhead Cam (SOHC) engine. When you have seen both engines, it is pretty obvious by simply looking at them. The DOHC cam cover is much wider and has 2 "humps" with spark plugs and wires going down the center between the humps. The SOHC cam cover is narrow and the plugs and wires go down one side.

Also in the 1992 model year, the DOHC engine was equipped with Multiport Fuel Injection. (MFI) The fuel injectors (4 of them) were located in the top of the intake manifold. The SOHC engine had Throttle Body Injection (TBI) The two injectors were located in the throttle body.

I don't have any pictures of the cam covers, but I have pictures of the cam cover gaskets (AKA Valve Cover Gaskets) you can very easilly see the difference.

I assume you determined the diagnostic trouble code for the sensor was TRUE/VALIDATED?
If so, then there is NO reason to do anything else but 'swap out the part.' Your second question is somewhat puzzling... the cam shaft is on TOP of the engine - the sensor's location (standing on the passenger side of the vehicle with the hood open, is on the left side of the engine at approximately the 10 o'clock position of the cam.... the connector to it is at the 9 o'clock position.

Actually, On 2006 vehicles the camshaft position sensor senses the TDC point of the number one cylinder, on its compression stroke. Its signal is relayed to the ECM to be used to determine the sequence of fuel injection. The Crank sensor is used to determine RPM ranges The crankshaft position sensor consists of a magnet and coil. The voltage signal from the sensor is relayed to the ECM to indicate engine rpm and the position of the crankshaft. This sensor wouldn't affect your performance but, the Cam sensor will if its damaged. To answer you question correctly, it would be the cam sensor i would check. it actually controls the injection system. if damaged, it will cause performance issues. On 2006 vehicles the crankshaft position sensor is located next to the radiator hose inlet and outlet assembly. On 2006 vehicles, the camshaft position sensor is located on top of the engine, on the engine head cover.