Cadillac DeVille

fmilymn · January 2005

Thanks for the resistor and after market tips boomer! How exactly would one go about the cob fix? Sure is irritating. $2500 is probably the trade in value on this car! I know they wanted $100 at the junk yard for a different headlight. Needless to say clear silicone fixed that problem.

I added the powder slowly through the filler hole before all the fluid was added. All the settings work fine and the door checks out fine. I have a low heat condition and was guessing the core is partially clogged......if that's possible. Guess there's only one way to find out. Have to wait for a decent day when time permits. I'm fixen to buy a different car and let my boy have this when he turns 16. It's in no hurry. He turned 12 in Dec.. It'll be a great back up ride until then.

sls002 · January 2005

I assume that this fix is for the computerized suspension that is on the Deville Concour (now DTS). The base Deville has conventional stuts shock absorbers I think.

deadeye5 · January 2005

Have a 97 w/74K on it. Rpm fluctuates 175-250

at idle and ALL speeds.Dealer test drove-did it 1-2 times.but NOT at the shop.Checked fuel pressure-40LB Ok. I put two bottles of injector cleaner in

have driven about 60-70 mileseems some better but,just did it again as I came home.Any ideas as to what it may be..?? Have chg'd the fuel filter

about 3 days ago-no help..Dealer says cause no check eng. light on = the scope will not show anything ??

Yks, Deadeye

boomer1b · January 2005

No check engine or SES light ?

Did the dealer hook it up to the computer?

Intermitent missing.........

You do know that there is a procedure outlined in your owners manual to check your car for any codes that are stored or current?

When was the last time you had new plugs or wires?

Is the weather in your area rainy, wet, cold ?

deadeye5 · January 2005

TKS for comeback...

dealer did NOT hookup--Said "If Check Eng light was not on-hookup would show 0"

Will check manual for codes....

No plugs or wires.(74K mi.) manual shows 100K

In NW Fla. Warm-Humid--No rain

Deadeye

bolivar · January 2005

No 'Check Engine Light' = No Codes!

I'd get a different dealer, or at least talk to someone else at that dealer.

There's a lot of codes that are reset after 3 starts or 40 starts. These will remain in 'history' and can be seen.

But - if you have a constant 'miss', that Cadillac's computer should be setting a code. If plugs are miss-firing, it will capture which plug is doing it.

Now if what you have is a fluctating idle speed, that probably would not set a code.

There is an Idle Air Control. It may need to be removed and cleaned up. The air ports to it should also be cleaned. Do you have an indication of a 'sticky' throttle? If so, this might be causeing the idle changes. What needs to be done is clean the throttle blade and intake areas around he blade with carb cleaner, toothbrush, and lots of rags. There could be a lot of crud on the throttle and it does not cleanly close, or open up cleanly as you press the footfeed.

Be carefull (too late now) with fuel injector cleaners in the gas. They have been known to eat the insulation off fuel pump motors and injector coils.

There are several other Cadillac Forums out there with extensive areas which should tell you how to put your car into diagnoistic mode (Cadillacs in last 15 years will do this), read the codes, and a database giving basic information as to what the codes mean.

I can't give a link to these, Edmunds doesn't like posting links, but googling searches should find them for you.

If you don't Do It Yourself on repairs, and would just like to start throwing parts at a miss, I would recommend changing the wires and plugs at 74,000 miles. Your Florida (isn't that where you said you are at?) heat, humidity, and salt could make these fail before the 100,000 miles the manual indicates. Use AC plugs only, 41-950 I think, platium. Probably should use factory wires also. This is not cheap. Plugs are $6 each and wires will be about $125...

One of the coil packs could also be failing causing a miss.....

imidazol97 · January 2005

>Be carefull (too late now) with fuel injector cleaners in the gas. They have been known to eat the insulation off fuel pump motors and injector coils.

I've not heard this before. Do you have a link to some informationn about this problem?

>throttle blade and intake areas around he blade with carb cleaner, toothbrush, and lots of rags.

Be careful with the toothbrush: the cleaner I used softened the bristles and they started coming out of the plastic brush handle.

sls002 · January 2005

I have used synthetic fuel cleaners without any obvious problems in my 98 Aurora. Chevron makes one. So far I have not used one in the Seville.

I did some checking and find that boomer1b is right, the deVilles and Sevilles all used a variable suspension. I think that my 2002 Seville LS does not, but that is not completely clear either. I do know that replacing the worn parts is expensive, but if you intend to keep your car for a few additional years, I don't think it is that expensive.

imidazol97 · January 2005

I've used only the TEchron by Chevron additives.

The package is supposed to be the same great cleaner they use in their gasoline, only more concentrated for the obvious purpose.

I hope it doesn't do damage as described above. I'd expect that from some of the heavily advertised, alcohol-based additives.

boomer1b · January 2005

Heres a quickie try to see if you have bad wires or coil packs. I assume your Caddy does not have the coil on plug that is common on the new GMs.

Take a spray bottle of water and spray the wires, coil packs, and spark plug heads and see if you have a miss..........

Do coil packs, then plug wires seperately...So you will be able to track down which one is bad.

Try and do it after dark and you can see the spark jumping on the wires...........

CAUTION: Wear leather/rubber gloves and use eye protection !!!!!!!!!!

morrow2 · January 2005

I recently traded for 92 Deville with 100,000 one owner miles. My problem is horrible engine miss & backfiring. No codes & no service light. New plugs, wires, injector cleaner, & drove several miles to clean injectors. Engine runs great after warms up. Can't sell like this!!

deadeye5 · January 2005

Tks again for the tips..Drove it 8-10 miles today-ran great !Wonder if the injector cleaner is working ??? Tho-will use less in the future after your "Fuel pump , coil erosion prob Horror story"

If it occurs again tomorrow,will try the water spray trick in the dark..

Thankful Deadeye sends...

bolivar · January 2005

<I've not heard this before. Do you have a link to some informationn about this problem? >

As I said, Edmunds doesn't like links to competitor message boards.

But the 'resident expert' on the board strongly discourages using injector cleaners. He notes that the motor coils in the fuel pump and the windings in the injectors are exposed to fuel. Anything that might eat up the insulation on the windings will kill them......

imidazol97 · January 2005

I can share the method for 'problem' cases of injectors needing cleaning from a real mechanic.

Drive the fuel level down low. Add Chevron Techron to the tank, then add premium fuel (name brand station) up to the number of gallons for the size bottle you bought, 12 or 20.

Drive that tank down near empty. Repeat the process.

Do not use again for several thousand miles; if it didn't help that time, it is not the problem.

Spark plug wires: put a pinch of salt in the water to make it more conductive. I then wait till engine is cool later, and spray off the wires with plain water to wash off the salt (with all the salt used on the roads here in winter, they're probably coated with salt powder already).

I have felt the car change within 50 miles or so with injector cleaner put in that way.

sls002 · January 2005

If the cleaner is supposed to be added to about 12 gallons of fuel, then two bottles could be put into a 20 gallon tank. I think that is what I did for the Aurora. I tried that to clean up the problem that was caused by the fuel pressure regulator. The cleaner did not help and when I explained the symptoms to the service manager, they said they would check it out. Later in the day they said I needed a new regulator.

My Seville has 31000 miles on it, and thus far I have not run any cleaner through it. It seems to run fine, so I am not concerned.

bolivar · January 2005

"Drive the fuel level down low. Add Chevron Techron to the tank, then add premium fuel (name brand station) up to the number of gallons for the size bottle you bought, 12 or 20."

Techron 'might' be safe.

But the other board's 'resident expert' warned against exactly this procedure. Adding the cleaner, then driving down to add gas. He says he has seen the high concentration (cleaner plus low gas level) injure a fuel pump by the time it gets to the station.....

The fuel pumps may not immediately totally die, but start to not deliver full pressure and pull excessive current which also burns up the wiring at the tank connector.

imidazol97 · January 2005

The Techron is added to the tank at the gas pump. The idea is that the high initial concentration would dissolve gunk in the tank better as the gas is pumped in to the maximum for that size bottle.

The car is NOT driven with additive in a couple gallons of fuel.

sls002 · January 2005

The primary reason to add the cleaner to a low tank of fuel at the gas station!!!, is so that as you then fill the tank with gas, the gas pouring into the tank will stir up the cleaner and mix it with the gas.

My owners manual is quite explict about using methanol vs ethanol. Grain alcohol is OK, but the methanol is not. So, do not use any cleaners that have methanol in them. A synthetic cleaner is probably the best, but check the ingredients on the can/bottle to see what it says.

imidazol97 · January 2005

Re: Cleaning injectors and fuel system on DeVille.

The same radio talk show mechanic talked about Techron by Chevron again today to a caller. He explained that the Chevron additives that have been highly rated for years are the reason Shell has added their V-Power premium fuel line. (Perhaps the high octane, slow-burning fuels need the extra cleaners.)

He says other major brands will be improving their additive mix and coming out with extra cleaners in a premium cost fuel soon.

>My owners manual is quite explict about using methanol vs ethanol.

I hope I didn't imply the Techron is another mouse milk additive to transfer money from your pocket to the selling company without giving much in return if anything for your car. I doubt it even contains methanol. I'll reread the bottle when I pick up another one.

rdesman · January 2005

I want to purchase a factory direct GM extended warraranty for my 2002 Deville. Can anyone suggest an authorized seller who sells over the internet---cheap would be nice.

sls002 · January 2005

The Techron is good stuff. I was pointing out that anyone buying fuel injection cleaner should probably avoid anything with methanol in it.

I think that Amoco advertised their premium grade fuel to have extra cleaners in them some time ago. Gasoline in general has detergents in it to keep the cars fuel system clean. Name brands probably have more cleaners than "cheaper un-branded" fuels.

imidazol97 · January 2005

I agree about the quality of cleaners in name brand fuels probably being better than the small brand stations who buy fuel from the wholesaler odd lots spot market.

I have trouble with the concept that regular grade shouldn't have the same high quality detergent-like chemicals that go into premium fuels; that is, unless the premium fuel leaves behind more trash and requires better cleaners to keep the cars running right -- I suspect the latter is true.

Here in Ohio we have no gasoline quality control statewide, so you may be getting any garbage the brand/offbrand companies pipe in that they couldn't sell in states who do check quality at the pump. A few county people have started doing checks in Ohio. But occasionally we get fuel that isn't up to par sold here. So occasionally I use inject cleaners.

I normally use Shell and Mobile. Occasionally Marathon sold through a large discount department store chain from Michigan. None have alcohol in them up to the 10% allowed.

If you use premium in your Northstar, an occasional cleaner should be standard maintenance.

sls002 · January 2005

I looked through some of the websites maintained by the name brand oil companies. I think that there is a standard for gasolines that requires a certain amount of cleaners. Now, if they want to add extra to their premium grades (or even regular grades), there is nothing wrong with that. There is nothing wrong with making the premium grade significantly over the standard (for example 4 times as much for the "ultimate" cleaning fuel) and then advertising that it will clean better.

I do think adding a fuel system cleaner now and then may be good idea to keep problems with build up from happening.

At my last oil change (last week), I had the Chevy/Cadillac dealer put Mobil-1 in the crankcase. My oil monitor is giving me around 10,000 miles between changes, so synthetic is not too expensive - about $40 more, but now I am not worried about sludge building up.

boomer1b · January 2005

http://www.capperautocenter.com

http://www.gmoutlet.com

pat · January 2005

You might want to do a little investigating - here's a link to a discussion that should help: Extended Warranties.

jkennedy · February 2005

I have been trying to find out info on this as well...I am trying to determine the added cost to buying a vehicle from a dealer...how much more should a vehicle cost if the extended warranty is added. Most dealers won't speak about it or reveal the cost. I want to determine if an asking price for a vehicle with this warranty is fair. Might you be able top help answer the question? Thanks, Jack Kennedy

pat · February 2005

Click on the link in my post just prior to yours for help with that - that discussion is a great resource.

rburge · February 2005

1992 cadillac deville no heat,changed everything i know of

i just found this site. can you please tell me what you found out?

thanks, randy

bolivar · February 2005

Plugged heater core?

Get your hands on both water hoses to the heater core, after the car is warmed up. If one is hot, one cold, it's clogged.

morrow2 · February 2005

I recently traded for 92 Deville with 100,000 one owner miles. My problem is horrible engine miss & backfiring. No codes & no service light. New plugs, wires, injector cleaner, & drove several miles to clean injectors. Engine runs great after warms up. Can't sell like this!!

bolivar · February 2005

A wild guess - a leaky injector. Loading up a cylinder with gas, then backfiring?

boomer1b · March 2005

How are your DeVilles holding up?

My 03 is just fine in this nasty NY winter weather.
The cruise is still a bit quirky tho............

bremertong · March 2005

Hi Boomer, glad your still around. My 2004 De Ville is doing pretty well but my cruise is also
a bit quirky as is yours. Seems to always set below the set button speed by one mile an hour and sometimes three to six. Having had it to the dealership three times without result I am living with it in that I have adjusted my driving habits to watch the speedometer a little more closely than I did with my 98 De Ville. When spring comes I may take it to the dealership for a fourth try. Could you describe the kind of quirk your referring to in a reply?
Would be helpful. If you or I get the matter resolved probably would help get the other one resolved too. I have also talked to the folks at Cadillac in the head office with out any more than a suggestion that I take it back again. It is not so bad that I can't live with it but would be nice if I knew what they needed to do to make it work better. I have looked with interest at the Chrysler 300C and will strongly consider it for my next car. I owned a Chrysler LHS before owning the 98 De Ville and never had any problem with the car during the three years I had it. From what I gather the 300C is a vast improvement over the LHS (1997 vintage). Most folks would probably consider comparing the two cars like comparing apples and oranges but I am favorably impressed with both.

boomer1b · March 2005

My 03 Devilles cruise would/does also vary a few mph.

Dealer checked it out when I took it in for a emission recall notice and a free LOF !

Nothing found...Reflashed the computer....Got a free CTS to tool around in all day !

My 04 Chevy truck with the cruise controls on the turn stalk are the best ! Rarely loses 1 mph even towing...........

The steering wheel controls are many and confusing !

I think its my old age (48)and confusion which button to push.............LOL!!!!

dispencer1 · March 2005

I think you'd better read the forums on the 300. All sorts of problems with alignment, transmission, etc that are far more serious than a cruise control. Chrysler is noted for poor reliability. The LHS and New Yorkers were apparentely an exception and were among the nicest looking cars Chrysler has ever produced. Too bad they switched to the 300 design with its high narrow windows. Looks like a CTS wannabe. Anyway, from what I've read from actual owners -not car writers who love it- I wouldn't have one.

bremertong · March 2005

Thanks for your comments. I have noticed that there have been alignment problems with the 300C.
The thing that caught my attention in the 300 C was the 400 horsepower in the new version. I like the styling in both Cadillac and 300C models. Needless to say the prestige of the Cadillac name is still much more than Chrysler. I received much better service and courtesy at the local Chrysler dealership than I do at the local Cadillac dealership. Never needed to go to Chrysler Corporate with a problem. GM Corporate while being courteous has not resolved the cruise control issue and have shown little interest in follow up. My experience on balance with both the Cadillac and Chrysler products has been good and would own either car as a future vehicle.

sls002 · March 2005

The problem can only be resolved if the service department has the car in hand to work on. They asked you to bring it in so that a factory representative could take a look and talk to you about it. This person would only have been there for a day or so at most. I think Cadillac made an honest effort to resolve the problem.

boomer1b · March 2005

If the quirky cruise in my 03 DeVille is my only issue in the 5-6 yr. 100k plus miles I will have it..........I'm a HAPPY camper !

Addicted to Northstar power anyhoo...........

I wish my plow truck would last as long !

sls002 · March 2005

My SLS's cruise works fine. What I frequently do is push one (usually the temperature) of the buttons on the steering wheel without realizing it. When the climate contol suddenly starts acting strangly, I see what I did. I don't think that this is bremertong's problem though...

dispencer1 · March 2005

There is nothing -nothing - more frustrating than alignment problems and when you end up spending hundreds of dollars (because alignments aren't covered under a warranty -everybody assumes that you aimed for every pot hole)) you finally discover that something like an out of round tire has caused your drifting problem. Alignments aren't the only problems with the 300. Frankly I wouldn't touch any Chrysler product with a 10 foot pole and it is not because I blindly buy GM products. I've ordered a Solara convertible. I actually like the Sebring better overall but again the owners have experienced many many reliability problems. I remember when there were four luxury brands -Cadillac, Lincoln, Packard, and Chrysler. Packard is gone and in my opinion so is Chrysler, but the car magazine writers love the 300 so perhaps you will too. Who knows, the bugs may get worked out. The local Chrysler dealer says things are a lot better since Daimler got involved. Funny that MB reliability has gone downhill as well lately. My '03 Deville has been trouble free for 38k miles. The CD's were skipping so the Cadillac dealer replaced the radio. No problem at all and no arguments.

bremertong · March 2005

Thanks for your good follow up remarks. Unless something changes I won't be looking for a replacement car for my 2004 De Ville until mid 2007, warranty runs out in July of that year. By than I will have seen much more on both Cadillac and Chrysler products and will try to make an informed decision. Of course the two models will have many changes in that time. In the mean time enjoying my
De Ville which is a fine vehicle. I feel pretty much the same as Boomer that the cruise glitch is not enough of a problem to spoil an overall good experience with the car.

dispencer1 · March 2005

I certainly enjoy my '03 Deville but will not buy another ex-rental car base model with no options. The car looked and drove like new and had a much better warranty than a new one (and only cost $27k), but I miss the heated seats, memory, and so on. I like the new '06 and will wait until sometime in '07 (my warranty goes till '08) and will look for a lease return that has some equipment on it. I'm really curious as to what standard equipment the '06 has and what option packages are offered. If heated seats come standard I may get a base model again. There are lots of them around each year and the dealer I use (Frank Kent in Ft. Worth) always has a great selection. I'm nearly 400 miles away but it is a 6.5 hour drive over there. I'm glad you are enjoying your '04. For the price I paid in January '04 for an '03 there is nothing I could have gotten new that would have compared with what I got.

boomer1b · March 2005

Sad but true most base DeVilles that rental companies buy don't have bun warmers.........

But in my neck of the woods NY a 04 base can be had for around $24,xxx.
A heck of a buy for a current year vehicle.

My 03 base had a package and discount and contained sunroof, bun warmers, bose, chromies, pearl paint and a few other goodies.
Forgot the name of it. My 1st Caddy with bun warmers.......Sure nice in these cold NY winters !

lanzz · March 2005

Guys, take heart. Just had an '05 Deville rental out of National at Detroit Metro Airport - heated seats and steering wheel, memory package and XM. Very loaded for a rental - even had the new little OnStar rubber antenna. Those '05, especially the optioned up ones are going to make nice used cars. Driving another one from LA to Vegas in two weeks - can't wait.

sls002 · March 2005

Did the cruise control work? Something that just occurred to me is that perhaps the rental agency's are programming the computer to limit cruise speed to 55 MPH.

Kirstie_H · March 2005

A reporter with a national magazine is hoping to talk with a consumer who took advantage of a 24-hour test drive or other extended vehicle test opportunity (including a car rental) and subsequently bought a car similar to the one s/he tested. If you have a story to share, please submit it to jfallon@edmunds.com along with your daytime contact info no later than Wednesday, March 9, 2005.

dispencer1 · March 2005

You could buy an '04 in the fall of '04 for $24-25k out here too but when I bought my '03 the prices seemed to be higher. The low price, however, may not include certification. My car was actually $26k but they charged $1,000 to certify it. Obviously that was a bargain price since they installed four new Michelins on it as well as adding the 6 year 100k miles 0 deductible warranty which costs more than $2,000 if you get it from a dealer after buying a new car. I'm retired but we own a real estate agency and we only use the car for trips so the 28k miles that were on it when I got it weren't really significant. I'll look around in 2007 - there is certainly no rush -and will eventually find a 2006 Deville (called the DTS in '06) that is either a one year corporate lease return or one from one of those people who trade every year. I'll just look for one with some option packages on it. I didn't know that you could get a Bose radio on the base model. You couldn't in 2003. Perhaps yours is a DHS. Some of the ex-rental cars come with the extra cost pearl paint and I've seen some of them in that extra cost red but that's about it.

boomer1b · March 2005

Certified huh?...That explains the extra cost......

No DTS here. The "boss" likes that 60/40 full front seat so her little hair bag doggie can be next to her !.........LOL !!!!
Me and the kids can ride in the trunk for all she cares when we make her mad !

The DTS has the split bucket type seats and console. Not to mention 25 more hp ~!

lanzz · March 2005

sls - did not try the cruise...

boomer1b · March 2005

When your heading thru the desert...CRANK IT UP !!! if the traffic allows......

Those N-stars purr at 100 mph !

Cadillac DeVille

Comments

Helpful Tools

Most popular vehicles