1997 Cutlass Rough Idle caused by camshaft sensor?/Overheating

[ChicCapricorn]

The check engine light has been on for the last 6 months or so. The car has about 204k miles on it. It's a V6 3.1L engine as well. I took my car to EZlube and the guy ran a diagnostic saying that the camshaft sensor is bad and that the catalytic converter was low and needed to be replaced. I've noticed when I start the car it has a rough idle. When I stop at a light, the idle is strong enough to move me, it's not a violent shake, but enough to be noticeable. When I accelerate the car takes a while to pick up and shakes as well. Can a bad camshaft sensor cause this rough idle? Or could it be a defective idle control sensor?


Also, my car has been running hot lately. The needle lays right before the last white notch before it goes into the red. I checked the reservoir and it was full and also got it cleaned out at EZLube. I don't see any smoke either. Could it be a bad thermometer? Or what else could it be?


Thanks,

ChicCapricorn

[maxwedge]

Welcome to AF. You need addt'l diagnostics and post the exact code, your descrpition could be many things, misfire, low fuel pressure, dirty injectors, to name a few. I would do a full scan and look at all the issues that can cause your symptoms, also confirm the engines actual operating temps.

[Transistor]

As far as overheating, make sure the fan belt is on the water pump the right way. It should go over the pump, not under it. Easy to do and hard to detect. The water pump running does not work very well.