Trouble codes

RICKYSH11

MEMBER
2005 CADILLAC CTS
3.6L
V6
RWD
AUTOMATIC
245,000 MILES

I have been noticing some really rough idling with my CTS. It's become more of shaking, rumbling, and a shimmy kind of idle or while in park. After getting the codes read several of them pertained to the camshaft actuator and engine position. To be specific the codes were P0013, P0016, P0017, P0018, P0019, P0008, P0009, P1011, and P1012. I'm not sure exactly what the problem is in this case but from searching I keep running into the timing chain being bad. What is the best route to take in figuring this out and possibly making repairs. (None of the shops in my area want to work on a Cadillac and the dealer is out of the question for me. I am very inclined to doing my own repairs so I'm open to working on it.)

3 Replies

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,411 POSTS

The first thing you should check is your oil level. The timing is controlled by oil pressure and if you do not have enough oil these codes will set. Also if you do not do your oil changes regularly sludge can effect the oil pressure to the sensor as well. Start with a simple oil change and an A/C Delco oil filter and reset the codes. If they come back you will need to take to a shop with an advance scanner to test the sensors to see if they can advance or retard the timing to see if the solenoids are bad or worse case scenario a chain jumping? Good luck and hope it is something simple as an oil change.

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Wednesday, April 13th, 2016 AT 2:44 PM

RICKYSH11

MEMBER
74 POSTS

Thanks, I'll definitely try the oil change. I checked the levels and it looks good but I won't get a better picture until after the change. I've stopped driving it until I do the oil change because the last time I drove it I was experiencing some difficulties with starting i.E. It won't start unless I press the gas while turning the engine and while driving the brakes engage by themselves. So these are two more issues I will have to troubleshoot.

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Monday, April 25th, 2016 AT 7:20 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
48,363 POSTS

It sounds like it could be the variable valve timing problem so maybe the valve is plugged or like you say the timing chain is bad. It could be the cam actuator itself as well. Looks like you need to start taking things a part for inspection, let us know how it goes.

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Monday, April 25th, 2016 AT 8:26 PM