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elladrache53

Cadillac XT5 Power Loss Points to Faulty Cam Sensors

I am running into engine trouble with my 2016 Cadillac XT5 (76k km, gas engine). The car feels sluggish with noticeable power loss and is using more fuel than usual. My check engine light is on. I suspect it might be related to the cam sensor or crankshaft timing but want to avoid another bad repair shop experience. Has anyone dealt with similar symptoms? What was the actual issue and what did the repair cost? Really hoping to find a reliable fix for this.

4 comment(s)

levibauer24

Had similar symptoms with a 2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0T. The crankshaft position sensor was failing, causing the engine management system to receive incorrect timing signals. This led to misfires, power loss, and increased fuel consumption. The diagnostic showed the sensor was sending erratic signals to the ECU, making the engine run inefficiently. When the crankshaft sensor fails, it affects the precise timing needed between the crankshaft and camshaft positions, leading to poor engine performance. This was a serious issue requiring immediate attention since continued driving could have caused additional engine damage. The repair involved replacing the crankshaft position sensor and clearing the error codes. The reference values from the new sensor restored proper engine timing and resolved all symptoms. The fix completely eliminated the sluggish performance, restored normal fuel economy, and cleared the check engine light. Would recommend getting it diagnosed soon, as these symptoms match classic crankshaft sensor failure patterns. Important to note that proper diagnostic testing is crucial, as similar symptoms can also indicate timing chain issues or camshaft position sensor problems.

elladrache53 (Author)

I had this exact problem with my XT5 last fall. The symptoms you describe match what I experienced, sluggish engine, check engine light, and terrible fuel economy. The timing chain had stretched beyond its reference value, causing misfire issues and throwing off the camshaft timing. My dealership confirmed the diagnosis with proper testing, really important since crankshaft sensor issues can show similar symptoms. The repair resolved all the performance problems completely and the engine is running smoothly now. Did your repair costs end up being reasonable? And have you noticed any other issues coming up since the fix? Just wondering since these timing-related problems can sometimes be connected to other components.

levibauer24

Thanks for the update on your XT5 timing chain issue. After seeing my mechanic, the main problem turned out to be the crankshaft sensor which was sending incorrect signals for engine synchronization. The repair included replacing the faulty sensor and recalibrating the crankshaft to camshaft reference values. The total repair cost was 340€ including parts and labor, which seems reasonable compared to potential engine damage if left unfixed. The cam sensor readings are now perfectly synchronized with the crank sensor signals, resulting in proper engine timing. Since the fix 6 months ago, the car runs flawlessly with no related issues. Fuel economy is back to normal and power delivery is smooth. The engine management system shows all timing parameters within spec, confirming the sensor replacement solved the root cause. Your timing chain diagnosis highlights why proper testing is crucial, since timing-related symptoms can stem from different components. Getting an accurate diagnosis saved us both from potentially more expensive repairs.

elladrache53 (Author)

Took my XT5 to the mechanic last week after reading these responses. The diagnostic test confirmed a faulty crankshaft position sensor causing engine synchronization issues. The repair cost came to 380€, which included replacing the sensor and running a full timing check. The mechanic showed me the misfire data from the old sensor, definitely explained the sluggish performance. They also checked the camshaft timing while everything was apart, but thankfully found no additional issues. Car runs perfectly now, no more power loss or excessive fuel consumption. The check engine light is off and everything feels smooth again. Really glad I caught this early before it could cause more serious engine damage. Total repair time was about 3 hours and the shop provided a 12-month warranty on the work. Much better experience than my previous repair attempts and worth every cent to have it running properly again.

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