Camshaft idle (i think Position) sensor
 

my car makes a pretty loud and rythmic whine/squeal while id idles ('02 V6). when it was in for service last year for other stuff, i was told it was the "camshaft idle sensor" and after doing research i don't think there is such a part but there is a camshaft POSITION sensor.

does anyone know where this is located on the 3.8 engine?

It would not run and would toss a code if it was bad.