where is the cam shaft sensor located at on a 1997 chevy suburban
With a vortec engine the cam shaft sensor is in the distributor.
i took distributor cap off and didn't see it .so where is it located at in the distributor ?
It is the small sensor bolted to the base plate.
when i go to take it out do i need to line anything up or do anything special so i don't make any mistakes?
No. It unbolts from the base plate. Timing would only be altered if you rotated the entire dist side to side or removed the dist completely and re-installed on the wrong point of the cam.
i tried to take it out but couldn't cuz there is a metal plate under the plastic rotator and the metal one has a cut out piece in it and its not lined up to get it out .so do i need to turn key over to get that to rotate suit lines up with sensor so i can get it out ? and will it mess it up and not start again if i do that without having all the distributor put all back together or what ? how or what is best way to get it lined up ?
As long as you tighen the sensor back down so that it clears the rotor you will be good. The timing will not be affected unless the dist is physically moved. I would not use the key to turn it over as it will crank fast and will most likely not stop on the correct spot. Use a socket and breaker bar on the harmonic balancer bolt (center of the main engine pulley) turn clockwise only. Remember 2 rotations of the crank = 1 rotation of the cam.
