Opel Crossland 2020: Constant jerking and loss of power - suspected broken camshaft sensor

Hey, I had a similar problem with my 2017 Opel Astra. It was stuttering and losing power, and sometimes it would just cut out at idle, really annoying. The indicator light was also illuminated on the dashboard. However, I went to a great mechanic who quickly found the problem. It was actually a camshaft sensor. A defective camshaft sensor could well be causing your situation. It could be that the engine control unit is receiving incorrect information and is therefore switching to "emergency running", which could explain many of the symptoms. If I were you, I would definitely have this checked. But, don't stress, this is a fairly common problem with many cars, simple repair, it took me a day. Of course I had to pay, but I can't tell you how much here. In any case, it's important that you see a trustworthy mechanic as soon as possible. Good luck with your car!

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Hi, thanks for the quick response and your helpful contribution. I'm glad to hear that your Astra no longer has the problem. It's good to know that a faulty camshaft sensor causes the engine to go into overdrive, that explains a lot. I will definitely look for a trustworthy mechanic. But just out of curiosity, do you remember the cost of the repair? And did anything else come up after replacing the sensor or has everything been running smoothly since? Thanks again, hopefully I can get this sorted out as well!

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Moin, sure, of course I can still remember the costs. Replacing the encoder wheel on the camshaft cost me €695. Not exactly a bargain, but now the car runs like clockwork again. Since the good mechanic fixed the camshaft sensor fault, everything has been tiptop. No more jerking when accelerating, no engine failure when idling and the indicator light is also off. All in all, the replacement of the camshaft sensor and the encoder wheel was a necessary investment. So, make sure you find a great mechanic and then your car should soon be running smoothly again. Good luck with that!

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Hi there, thanks again for the info. Of course, it's quite a lot of money, but the important thing is that the car runs smoothly again afterwards. With the kilometers I always tear off, it's definitely worth it. I'm glad to hear that you've had no more problems since replacing the camshaft sensor and the encoder wheel. That really gives me hope. I guess I have no choice but to find a good mechanic and just get it done. Wish me luck that I have as good a hand as you in finding a good mechanic! Thanks again and have a good trip!

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Hi! The jerking, stalling, and indicator light could indeed be a camshaft sensor issue. I would recommend getting a diagnostic scan to confirm this. It's also worth checking the fuel system and spark plugs. Costs vary, but expect around €150-300 for sensor replacement. Good luck!

While a faulty camshaft sensor could be the cause, it's also possible that the issue could be due to a dirty or clogged fuel injector, a faulty spark plug, or even a failing fuel pump. I would recommend starting with a simple check of your spark plugs and fuel system before moving on to more complex diagnostics. Remember, safety first. If the car is stalling and losing power, it's best to have a professional mechanic inspect it.