Cadillac SRX Engine Problems and Repairs When the engine power reduced warning light illuminates on your dashboard, it’s usually due to a problem that requires repair. It’s best to take your vehicle in as soon as possible to have the issue diagnosed.
A check engine light is never a good sign, especially when it comes on and stays on for a long period of time. It can be caused by a loose gas cap, for example, or a more serious problem like a misfiring engine.
Leaking Head Gasket
The head gasket is a part of the engine that seals the combustion gases within the cylinders. When the head gasket fails it can allow coolant or engine oil to leak into the cylinders.
This can lead to all kinds of problems including poor engine performance, overheating, and engine failure. Common symptoms of a leaking head gasket include white smoke from the tailpipe, low coolant level, and milkshake-colored oil in your coolant bottle.
A blown head gasket can also cause the EGR valve to fail. The EGR valve redirects a portion of the exhaust gases back into the cylinders for additional combustion.
A faulty EGR valve can result in the loss of power and fuel economy in your SRX. In addition, a malfunctioning EGR valve can also cause your vehicle to emit more pollutants than it should.
Dirty Fuel Filter
A dirty fuel filter can cause problems with your Cadillac SRX engine. It restricts the amount of fuel that can be delivered to your engine, causing it to stall or even refuse to start.
A clogged fuel filter can also impede the flow of air, thereby reducing your engine’s performance. In the long run, this can result in poor gas mileage and increased maintenance costs.
The oxygen sensor in your Cadillac SRX monitors the exhaust gases in the engine and reports the levels of pollutants to the control unit. If the O2 sensor develops a fault, it will send inaccurate readings to the control unit which can lead to poor acceleration, loss of power, irregular idling and engine hesitation or stalling.
You can clean your oxygen sensor with a good OBD2 scanner, but be sure to check whether it’s approved by Cadillac in advance. You can also use a fuel injector cleaner to help improve your engine’s injection behavior and eliminate deposits on the nozzles.
Dirty Oxygen Sensor
A dirty oxygen sensor can cause problems with your vehicle’s fuel system. A good sensor will continuously monitor the amount of oxygen in the exhaust gases and report it to the engine control unit.
This information allows the computer to adjust the air-fuel mixture in order to provide optimal performance. When a sensor is dirty or failing, the computer will not be able to correctly detect the amount of oxygen in the air and will put too much or too little fuel into the combustion chambers.
Symptoms of a bad oxygen sensor include a loss of power, low gas mileage, reduced acceleration, and engine hesitation or jerking. These symptoms are usually caused by a dirty or defective sensor but may also be related to other factors.
If you suspect your sensor is faulty, the first step in diagnosing it is to connect a diagnostic tool to your vehicle. This will allow you to retrieve diagnostic codes (DTCs) that indicate the problem. Then, you can look up technical service bulletins (TSBs) to find a repair procedure that should resolve your issue.
Dirty Throttle Body
The throttle body in your Cadillac SRX controls the air and fuel mixture sent to the engine. Over time, dirt and debris can get into the throttle body, resulting in poor performance.
A dirty throttle body can lead to erratic idling, sluggish acceleration and engine hesitation. Clean the throttle body to get rid of these symptoms and restore your SRX’s power.
Another reason for the reduced power light to turn on is due to a problem with one of the vehicle’s sensors. A bad throttle position sensor, for example, can cause the car to stop shifting gears or stall.
The cause of the reduced power mode may vary by year and model, but a good starting point is to check your owner’s manual for a description of what engages this warning. You can also use a repair database such as ALLDATA DIY or Mitchell DIY to find technical service bulletins (TSBs) issued by the vehicle manufacturer.