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Cadillac DeVille

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Comments

  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    You have the cruise controls on the steering wheel right? Like I posted..By the time my OLD eyes figure out which button to push and WHEN without changing the radio station or fan speed ......LOL. I lose a few MPH by the time the cruise kicks in!

    Sure is different from the "bars" on the steering wheel on my 96..............

    I like my trucks good old setup on the turn stalk !
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I assume that your dealer was able to reproduce the problem in the first place. So, if replacing the module has not corrected the problem, you should so inform your service manager and let them proceed to fix it. If they have given up, then I would try calling Cadillac to complain.

    My owners manual states that the dealer should be given a chance to solve the problem. If that fails, then contact Cadillac. My guess is that the cruise control module was not the problem, but the service people should have tested the car after the fix to make sure it was working.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    All I could add to sls' comments is, be nice, but relentless with your dealer, and kindly insist that they fix it right. Persistence - it's a pain, but it will usually yield results. If you escalate to lawyers or threats, they just shut down and call your bluff. Not productive.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    The cruise buttons mounted IN the steering wheel are a PIA. Hard to see, small print/size, poor lighting at nite, ..........
    They seem to be the "rage" on most new luxo cars nowadays. I note Ford cars have larger buttons.
    Confusing to say the least.
    My 03 also loses a few MPH too by the time I figure out which is which!
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Thanks for the replies to message 1537. The loss in acceleration is more than a few miles an hour
    at higher speeds (50 and over). I am wondering if it could be transmission related or a fuel regulator problem.
    Customer service at Cadillac referred me to the local Cadillac dealership in that I bought the car from a used car dealer with the best reputation in my home area. I like the idea of persistence rather than threats. My used car dealer has offered to assist so we will see what happens. I have not ever had a similar problem in my previous cars. Last car being a 98 De Ville.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    Gonna take a road trip to NJ. with my Deville next week.
    Will check out my cruise control operation to see how much MPH I lose and post.........

    Still like the turn signal stalk controls the best!
    Come to think of it...Gotta take my truck up to my Alex Bay place tomorrow. 200 mile round trip hi-way cruise. Will check if I lose a few MPH on that one !.............
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    Are the Deville's buttons different than the Seville's? Mine are on the lower part of the steering wheel, with the left one the on/off switch and the right one the set/accelerate. If you push on the bottom of the right hand one it sets, and pushing on the upper part accelerates or resumes at the last setting. I don't have to look to see what I am doing at all.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    Not sure.......Brem and my 96s were like "hooks" hanging beneath the air bag. Large and easy to push or even remember which one to push...LOL !!!

    The 03s are smaller and on the wheel face. Even after 1 year I am still not used to them.........

    The 96 I would push the wrong one and change the fan speed or radio station when looking for the acc. function !..........LOL !!!

    My 90 had the on-0ff on the dash and the set/acc. on the turn stalk.
  • dhs1dhs1 Member Posts: 6
    While on the subject of cruise control, does anyone else notice that the resume/accelerate set/coast button on the lower right of the steering wheel of 2001 DHS models or others, as I guess they are all pretty much the same when backlit at night, is brighter than other controls on the steering wheel. I also notice some of my front seat heat buttons also seem brighter than others no matter what the setting on the knob for dimming backlit controls. Can't say I use cruise control at night anyway, but it seems to be distracting for me to have one brighter control on the steering wheel.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I just checked mine in the garage and they are all consistently lit from low to high. Perhaps my car was built on Wednesday?
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Am beginning to think the problem may have something to do with component temperature or engine performance. On coming off a main highway to a 35 MPH speed limit road, cruise was moving
    between 33 and 36 MPH. It had performed rather well on the 55 MPH highway. On my 98 De Ville it almost never varied more than 1 MPH. Am hoping this will be solved soon is irritating in a car of this quality. My previous cars never did this and some were in the budget category. Am scheduled to have the used car independent dealership that sold me the car drive and test this week, they have also promised to try to get me some help at the Cadillac dealership to solve the problem. Many thanks to all that have taken the time to try to help with this. I will of course continue to keep you posted on my progress.
  • mistybluemistyblue Member Posts: 2
    Thank you so much for this great suggestion....I was having the same problem..intermittent problems starting my 99 deville ..most noticed @ 1/2 full tank of gas....dealer found the fuel pressure regulator was leaking.... replaced & now just like a new car.....
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I'm glad that my post helped you. I had this problem with my 98 Aurora, which seemed to be flooded after sitting a short time, but would start normally after sitting a long time. So, I explained it to my dealerships service manager and they found the fuel pressure regulator was leaking. This seems to be a common northstar problem, at least for the first generation engines. The second generation northstar went into production in model year 2000.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    Brem.......Had my 03 out the last few days.
    Pried the keys away from the "boss".......LOL!

    I note the cruise varies by as much as 5 mph either way driving uphill or downhill.
    Flatland it only varies by 1 mph..........

    My 04 GM truck runs steady as a rock. But will shift down OD to 3rd HARD as needed to keep it at 70 or so!

    The Deville rarely even comes outta OD......

    The 6 buttons on the wheel are all equally well lit. Still a PIA to use................
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Thanks Boomer, I am really surprised at the fact that you are having as much variance in speeds as I am. I have also noted that if I press the resume acceleration on the cruise that the car will speed up to desired speed but the moment I take my finger off the switch it goes back down to the previously lower speed. From what you are reporting this must be a quality control problem in these Cadillacs. I should report that Cadillac has shown an interest, but have offered no solution to the problem. As reported earlier they changed the cruise module which made no improvement in the performance. I have owned some much less expensive cars (Plymouth Acclaim 93) and never had such poor performance in cruise control. My 98 De Ville had a very good cruise control only showing a 1 MPH difference from set speed. It would be helpful to know what part of the car to ask them to check in order to resolve
    this performance problem. Any ideas from other conference members appreciated.
  • dispencer1dispencer1 Member Posts: 489
    What I've noticed is that when the resume button is pushed the car races to go back to the set speed - like I'd floored it. My Chevy and other cars I've owned exhibit normal acceleration. Is this common -I have an '03 Deville base model - or do I need to see the dealer?
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    Your post got me thinking...........

    My 96 or moms 98 the cruise didn't vary much when set. My 03 is all over the map. It doesn't bother me too much or enough to run to the dealer.

    My trucks shifts like mad up and down to maintain speed. Esp. up a steep grade. The Cad hardly shifts at all but the speed varies.......

    The most I can figure is the final drive ratio and/or gearing between the 3 of them..........

    But if is the cars only issue in the 5-6 years/100k HARD miles I am gonna put too it. I can live with it altho annoying...............

    Happy motoring and keep us posted on anything you find out !.................
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    My 03 Base Deville and 04 Chevy 2500 6.0 DO SCREAM and even kick down a gear or 2 to get back up to speed when resume is pressed...............

    New Vendor ? Different set up?
    The plot thickens....................
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    If I disengage the cruise, slow down, and then punch the resume, my SLS will accelerate briskly if the difference is on the order of 10MPH. On the other hand, if I accelerate to within a few (say 3) miles per hours of the original speed and then engage resume, the SLS will continue to accelerate smoothly to the set speed.

    On steep grades (>5%), my SLS will engage lower gears. On less steep grades my car will lose 1-2 MPH or so. I found that long steep grades were usually best handled manually (slow trucks, heavy traffic) and I manually shifted to 3rd gear in hopes of keeping the torque converter locked up or at least doing less work. In any case a long grade would result in the coolant temperature increasing above normal by a few degrees.

    On downhills, the cruise is not designed to limit coasting. I engage 3rd gear on steep downhills, and even 2nd if the speed limit is less than 50.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Thanks to all that have posted messages to resolve my questions regarding 2004 De Ville cruise control. I now believe that more likely than not the problem is in the transmission downshifting, or other transmission function.
    Can the downshifting be adjusted without going into sealed parts? I am hesitant to start tearing up the transmission to correct this even though my warranty runs for another three years and 33,000 miles. It would be helpful for those owners with more technical knowledge to suggest what you would do if you were dealing with this type of cruise problem (see messages 1542,1548 & 1552). Many thanks.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    Two things:

    one: have you taken the car back and told them that their fix did not work? if not, then do so.

    two: see one first: if the service people are at their wits end, ask if they checked the cable that connects to the cruise module. if this cable is sticky/damaged then the cruise control will not function properly.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Thanks for your reply. I took the car to the local Cadillac dealership a month ago, they changed the cruise module. It didn't resolve the problem. I was out driving today engaged the cruise at 58 MPH cruise light on and the cruise set speed at 53 MPH. No one has mentioned the connecting cable, will look into it. Odd thing about this is that the cruise accuracy is intermittent, some times engages within 1 MPH of desired speed and sometimes as much as 7 MPH lower. Have tried all variations of hitting the button with no apparent solution.
    Having owned a 98 De Ville and never having had this problem I suspect something needs adjustment, no one is quite sure what.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Have always had mud protectors on my previous cars. My 98 De Ville had Cadillac protectors covering all four wheel wells. I have been unable to get protectors for my 2004 De Ville. Cadillac doesn't make them for this model. Has anyone been able to find after market flaps that will fit this model? Probably would be the same for any model from year 2000 through 2005. A web site would be helpful so I could order on the net. Many thanks.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I don't recall that you mentioned intermittent before. But if the cable (from the transmission to the cruise) is damaged, then it may not allow the correct speed to register. This could be intermittent. Clearly the cruise module is thinking the set speed is lower. By the way, the cruise light turning on only tells you that the cruise is engaged. When the set button is released is when the speed is set. At least that is the way my SLS works. I tried pushing the set button down at 45 and continued to accelerate to 50 before releasing. The cruise set at 50. The cruise light appears after a brief moment (1 or so seconds).

    In any case, you need to tell your dealer/service_department that their previous fix did not work. My service department (even for oil changes) inquires if the service was satisfactory. Of course they were in the process of taking over another dealership and unloading the Cadillac franchise...
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    It still sounds like a software or hardware sensor reading to me. The speed reading ( I thought ) was taken from the VSS which serves for the speedometer reading also. Then the cruise control electronically gives more accelerator or less to keep the 'clicks' it gets from the speed sensor at the same rate, meaning the car goes the same speed.

    Has anyone run this by Alcan, a mechanic who answers questions in some discussions? He's usually there if you address him in the "got a technical question" discussion.

    Mr_Shiftright "Got a Quick, Technical Question?" Sep 17, 2004 12:57am

    Mr_Shiftright "Got a Quick, Technical Question?" Sep 17, 2004 12:57am

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I went back to our public library today to check on the source of the speedometer information. Our library has a data base for car repairs. Anyway, did not find out source for speedometer reading, but the cruise control module does have a speedometer cable for the purpose of getting speed info. The service people should have checked everything out, but if they made the "replace module choice", who knows what they did.

    I repeat, that the service department that replaced the module must be told that the cruise control still does not function right.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Good Advice sls002, I will be taking the car in on the 29th of September for a new evaluation. I appreciate your comments as well as all the others in that I feel much better informed when I go in and try to resolve the cruise problem.
    Regarding the cruise light indicators, my 2004 De Ville has two lights, one on the left side of the steering wheel that lights when the cruise system is operative and a second one on the right side of the dash board that lights after the speed has been set. The set light (dashboard)stays on until the brakes are engaged or the main cruise light on the steering wheel is turned off. The problem in my car is that the speed drops as much as seven miles an hour after the set light comes on. In addition, sometimes when I hit the resume acceleration to bring car back to original set speed the car accelerates until I take my finger off the button and then again drops to the the lower speed again rather than retaining the desired set speed. This only occurs approximately 30 percent of the time at other times works the way it was meant to in the owners manual.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    Your cruise lights are like mine, on on the on/off button to indicate that the system is on, and a "cruise" light in the intrument panel to indicate that cruise is engaged.

    Is your appointment at your convience, or is the service department so busy that it takes a week to get an appointment? Our (now defunct) dealership service department could usually get you in within a day or so. Now the Chevy dealer has taken over....

    With an intermittent problem, a resolution can be difficult. One question, if its working, does it always work until the next time you start the car? Or will it fail some of the time during a single trip?

    One thing for sure, this is Cadillac's problem to solve, not yours. If they can't figure it out, the lemon law should apply -> they should let you have a new car (free if a 2004, or at cost if a 2005). Hopefully it won't come to that.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    The appointment is at my convenience, have a busy week ahead and so waiting til next week to go in. The failures are intermittent during the same trip. I have even tried turning off and than back on the cruise on/off button (left side of wheel) but that does not seem to change anything either. Am hoping the problem gets resolved on the 29th or soon after. Is there a web site that gives details on the lemon laws?
    Many thanks for your continuing interest. Will let you know the final outcome.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    Brem.....You have me curious......
    Took my 04 Chevy truck on a 200 mile round trip Sat. hauling 30 sheets oc CDX plywood.
    Up and down a major hiway. Cruise on 65.
    Never varied 1 mph either way.............
    Trans. did shift down od to 3rd on major grades.

    Swapped off with the "boss" driving the 03 Deville at different points back and forth.

    The Caddy varied 5 mph either way............
    But the trans. NEVER shifted outta OD......

    Aggrivating yes........Trip to the dealer......NAH!

    My 96 Deville cruise was rock steady.
    My moms 98 is too.........

    I wonder if its a design problem, gearing, trans. shift points ????????

    THOUGHTS ????
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    you downshift into 3 when climbing a grade and losing speed. Does the car speed back up to the speed set.

    What about shifting into 2 if the speed is low enough and it's losing speed on a grade...

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    I just let the auto trannies do their thing.
    The truck would kick down into 3rd to keep speed
    at 65. But hauling 500 lbs. or so..........

    The "sofa on wheels" just loafed along. Just the speed varied around 5 mph either way.
    Rarely did I notice it kick outta OD.

    Too busy cranking up the BOSE and feuding with the teenager over what tunes next?........
    Geezer music or the "good stuff"....LOL !
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    My SLS will downshift to maintain speed in cruise control. On a moderate grade the torque converter will unlock and that is usually enough. However, on a long grade I would rather downshift to 3rd and let the torque converter lock up which should keep the transmission fluid cooler.

    Lemon laws
    http://www.123car.com/lemon/lemonbystate.html
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    I drove over 100 miles yesterday and the problem was still present, intermittent but annoying. The cruise never accepts the speed where set always drops one to two MPH. I could live with that but at higher speeds it will drop
    as much as five to seven MPH. once again the failures are intermittent, that is not counting the one or two mile an hour decreases. At lower speeds I think it may have something to do with downshifting or torque converter. Can these parts be easily adjusted or does this involve major work or replacement?
    Thanks for the Lemon Law web site, I have book marked for future reference.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    There is no question that your cruise control is faulty. So is boomer1b's. I think that there are misconceptions about what the cruise control does. Basically all it does is hold down the accelerator pedal for you. Somehow it has to "set" a marker for the speed that you want, and then as the speed drifts away from the "marker", the accelerator pedal is either "pushed down" or "let up" to either speed up or slow down. The transmission will respond by shifting down only if the accelerator pedal is pushed down far enough to cause a downshift. They may need to keep the car for a while and give you something else to drive (rentals are covered if needed).

    There are a number of parts that may be faulty and replacing them one by one will take time till the bad one is found. A good service department should be able to do this if you give them the time to do so. On the other hand, if all they are doing is replacing a part because they don't know what else to do, then it may require several trips to the service department before they get the right part replaced. I don't know how good your service department is.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Excellent overview and summary of the problem as you wrote in message1572. The local dealership has already indicated they may need the vehicle overnight so I am prepared,
    have asked for a CTS as a loaner, customer service coordinator has said she will request one for me. So far as cars being held overnight, how do I protect myself from misuse and or damage while with the dealership? Speak up and ask before seems like a practical approach or is it? I'm not sure how good the service department is in that this is the first problem I have presented them with and so far they have not resolved it. Many thanks for you continuing interest on this as I try to get it corrected.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I would remove valuable items from the car. I doubt that they would use it to run errands though. The only worry would be if it is left outside, someone could break in. However, there would be lots of other cars too, so would yours be a target? I would expect them to want to drive the car long enough to reproduce the problem and then test after any repairs are made to be sure that it is fixed. They should be covered by insurance. I assume that much of their new car inventory is outside.
  • nvbankernvbanker Member Posts: 7,239
    I could be wrong, but I'll bet the car was left outside a lot before you bought it, and probably, nobody bothered it. You're insured, as is the dealer, anyway.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    Just take out the easy things to steal. Sunglasses, radar detectors, cell phones, guns, CDs, keys to other things, remote control for garage door if separate. That's what I do when I drop a car off.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    Sound advice in all three messages. I generally do remove all the small items. I will ask them to leave the car inside while in their possession. I know they are insured and I am too.
     The hassle of filing claims not to mention the inconvenience of lost time at a repair shop
    is an annoyance I would like to avoid if at all possible. Guess I've been pretty lucky in that I have had few problems with any of my previous cars, it would be nice if they figure out what to do on a second try.
  • etharmonetharmon Member Posts: 399
    I too have used zymol wax and I like it alot. It is a bit more expensive, but it really gives the car a good shine. The first time I used it, I still had my 89 Olds Toronado which hadn't been waxed in 2 years or more and I did apply to coats of wax and the finish looked 5 years newer. I've used it on my Intrigue as well.

    Tccad1
    So if the dealer sold mostly base Devilles last year, thats what they are getting this yeay? That makes sense I suspect that is what mine did as the majority of the Devilles I see around here are the base models as a Concours was fairly rare. BTW, I saw a Diamond White STS with a maroon colored interior today. It was the current model, but I don't think it was a 2000 as Cadillac dropped the maroon interior color for this year. That was the first one of the the current model that I had seen in that combo and it looked pretty nice.
  • boomer1bboomer1b Member Posts: 316
    Brem........I am gonn post our cruise issues over at cadillac forums and see if anybody else is/was having these issues..
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    As mentioned in earlier posts I took the car to local Cadillac dealership today. I went out to drive the vehicle with the technician, then at mid point had him do the driving. He mentioned that unlike the 98 De Ville it was necessary for me to hold my foot on the accelerator pedal a bit longer to stabilize desired speed. He also said that the 2004 models don't communicate through the pedal that cruise is engaged as well as the 98 did.
    On return to the dealership, the technician made adjustments to the cruise cable and did a few other adjustments to the system. On my way home
    I did notice the system was more stable and didn't seem to be loosing speed as it had been doing, still seemed to loose 1 MPH which I can live with. It will take several more days of driving to determine if the system is now satisfactory.
    I test drove another 2004 De Ville about a week ago and noticed it was also loosing about 2 MPH after cruise light came on. In my car it has been as much as 7 MPH until to days work.
    Thanks Boomer, I think the idea of posting at Cadillac forums is a good idea, am beginning to think that the cruise function in this vintage of Cadillacs (2000-2004) may leave a bit to be desired. Many thanks to the other owners who have been very generous in offering their advice. I will keep you all posted.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    If you are accelerating/decelerating, engaging the cruise will result in a speed that may be off of what you wanted. In any case, my Seville's cruise control functions far better than the Devilles that all of you are reporting on. Perhaps there is a difference in the hardware. If you are off by a mile or two, then hitting the accelerate a couple of times will set the desired speed.
  • bremertongbremertong Member Posts: 436
    After three days of driving since the latest dealer attempt to correct cruise control, problem is not resolved. The car continues to vary speeds after cruise is set. While hitting the resume accelerate button sometimes helps, the car often goes back to the previously lower than set speed. Guess this will take many visits to the dealer as suggested in an earlier owner post. The question will become when am I spending to much time to justify further attempts to fix. Biggest problem is the intermittent nature of the problem. For the time being I will continue to drive and try to pinpoint the problem more clearly. it would be good if I could determine problem was a result of my own driving patterns since I could easily adapt to the car. That does not appear to be the case. Any follow up suggestions by other owners appreciated. I have checked the lemon laws for my state and there may be merits for a claim but it seems to me that I would need some independent verification of the malfunction. In the meantime I will continue to work with the local dealership.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    that your service tech thought part of the problem was the way you engaged cruise. And while that would explain a few (say upward of 3) MPH difference, it really does not explain more than 5. A big problem is that it is intermittent. I would suggest having a serious talk with the salesman/manager (who sold you the car) about the problem and that you would like it fixed or a new car.

    They should inspect for air leaks too, as the system uses vacuum to operate the throttle I think. You should let them know that the problem is not fixed so they can think about it or call Cadillac for help.
  • imidazol97imidazol97 Member Posts: 27,675
    I don't see air diaphragms being used to control cruise. My 98 LeSabre has a electrical control box; so does my 03.

    2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,

  • ken1967ken1967 Member Posts: 6
    I put new plugs, wires, cap and rotor and air filter and I got more power but it still runs like its missing. I am getting a code 41 and 13. A mechanic thinks it may have a dead cylinder. Is there any tricks I can use to fix this cheap?
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    I based my comment on what I learned at our public library which has an online automobile repair guide of sorts. It indicated that the throttle is moved by a vacuum motor. OK!

    I looked under my hood (2002 Seville LS) and the box controlling the throttle linkage seem not to have a vacuum line at all. There are wires running to it (no speedo cable) and a cable to the throttle. So the throttle must be controlled by a stepper motor.

    If the cables leading into the cruise control module are damaged, then erratic results could be expected.
  • sls002sls002 Member Posts: 2,788
    If there is a dead cylinder (whatever that might mean), I don't think that there is a cheap fix. Try car talk?
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