P0386 on Cadillac
Crankshaft Position Sensor "B" Circuit Range/Performance
P0386 on Cadillac vehicles indicates crankshaft position sensor "b" circuit range/performance. Au7o has documented this code across 1 Cadillac model — most commonly on Eldorado. This generic OBD-II code sets when the powertrain control module detects that the signal from the secondary ("B") crankshaft position sensor is out of its expected range or behaving erratically (intermittent, noisy, or inconsistent with other engine speed/position inputs). The crankshaft position sensor reports engine RPM and crank angle, which the PCM uses to control fuel injection and ignition timing. Typical repair costs on Cadillac range from $200 to $500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Common Causes of P0386
- •Faulty or failing crankshaft position sensor 'B'
- •Damaged, corroded, or loose sensor connector or wiring harness
- •Excessive air gap or debris/metal shavings on the reluctor (tone) wheel
- •Damaged or misaligned crankshaft reluctor/trigger wheel teeth
- •Intermittent open or short in the sensor signal/ground circuit
- •Electromagnetic interference from nearby wiring or a failing PCM (rare)
P0386 on Cadillac by Model
Cadillac Eldorado(1 issue)
- Crankshaft Position Sensor Failure Causing Intermittent Stalling and No-Start2000-2002
The dual crankshaft position sensors on the 2000-2002 Northstar (which feed the coil-on-plug PCM directly) develop cracked solder joints at an internal resistor, causing intermittent chuggle, stalling while driving, long cranking, or a hot no-start that often resolves once the engine cools. GM ran a voluntary emissions campaign on certain 2000 Eldorado and Seville 4.6L vehicles for this defect, and RepairPal documents it as a top Eldorado driveability problem. Because both sensors live behind the oil filter adapter and fail similarly, the accepted practice is replacing both at once.
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What does P0386 mean on Cadillac?▼
P0386 stands for "Crankshaft Position Sensor "B" Circuit Range/Performance." This generic OBD-II code sets when the powertrain control module detects that the signal from the secondary ("B") crankshaft position sensor is out of its expected range or behaving erratically (intermittent, noisy, or inconsistent with other engine speed/position inputs). The crankshaft position sensor reports engine RPM and crank angle, which the PCM uses to control fuel injection and ignition timing. On Cadillac specifically, this code is documented across 1 model.
What causes P0386 on Cadillac vehicles?▼
Common causes on Cadillac: Faulty or failing crankshaft position sensor 'B', Damaged, corroded, or loose sensor connector or wiring harness, Excessive air gap or debris/metal shavings on the reluctor (tone) wheel, Damaged or misaligned crankshaft reluctor/trigger wheel teeth, Intermittent open or short in the sensor signal/ground circuit. Specific causes vary by model and year — see the per-model sections below.
How much does it cost to fix P0386 on a Cadillac?▼
Repair costs on Cadillac range from $200 to $500, depending on the specific model and root cause.
Which Cadillac models have P0386 documented?▼
Au7o has documented P0386 on 1 Cadillac model: Eldorado.