Did you recently rush to buy a new vehicle before tariff-related price hikes? A reporter is looking to speak with shoppers who felt pressure to act quickly due to expected cost increases; please reach out to PR@Edmunds.com for more details by 4/24.
Hi, Don't know if you sent your inquiry to me but I got a notification anyway. Sorry don't know anything about Sport Mode only used it maybe once. But Have had other intermitten electrical problems. When I first start car non of the dash lights light until I hit the break for the first time. Go figure? Sometimes have to hit the break a few times for them to stay on. I suggest you call GM CS 1-800-333-4cad prompt to recalls, and ask if there is any open recalls? Don't explain your problem until she tells you yes and what their for. Catera has Multi recalls for almost every part of the vehicle. if Yes tell them what your experiancing, maybe if it's a small fix they'll do it. If NO to any recalls or they will not repair if there are ,than contact the National HIghway & Safty @ www.nhtsa.gov and file a complaint. As for a resolution to my problem - Car is dead, GM is refusing to honor the recalls or return the money I paid for the recalled parts. Oh yah, they did make me an off thought. They said they would give me a $3500 credit of the sticker if I bought a NEW CADDY :mad: Hummmm cash for clunkers was what? $4500 Oh yeah, they seem to forgot about all the Loyalty Customer letters they've been sending me before the problem offering $2750 off the sticker if I would buy another Car, Not to mention their making the same offer to anyone walking off the street. WoW they really know how to satisfy a customer they stick with a defective vehicle, Good luck!
WELL THANKS FOR THE ADVICE. I WAS HOPING SOMEONE HAD THE SAME PROBLEM AND GOT IT FIXED I SHOULD BE SPECIFIC. WELL FIRST I ALREADY REPLACED THE CRANK POSITION SENSOR BECAUSE MY CAR WOULD SHUT EVERY 10-20 MILES WHILE DRIVING REPLACING THE CRANK SENSOR FIXED THAT. I ALSO REPLACED THE HEATER CONTROL VALVE ON A SEPERATE ISSUE. BUT NOW ABOUT EVERY 100 MILES OR SO THE SPORT MODE INDICATOR FLASHES AND MY CAR WONT SHIFT ANY GEARS UNTIL I SHUT IF OFF AND RESTART IT THEN IT WORKS FINE. I LOOKED IN THE OWNERS MANUAL AND IT SAID WHEN THAT LIGHTS FLASHES WHILE DRIVING YOU SHOULD HAVE YOUR TRANS SERVICED. HAS ANYONE HAD THIS PROBLEM AND HAD IT FIXED? PLEASE ADVISE. THANKS!
HEY DID YOU EVER FIND OUT WHAT THE PROBLEM WAS WITH YOUR CATERA? IM HAVING THE SAME PROBLEM WITH MY 2000 CATERA THE SPORT MODE FLASHES AND I LOSE POWER UNTIL I SHUT THE CAR OFF AND THEN IF WILL BE FINE FOR A WHILE? JUST WANT TO KNOW WHAT THE PROBLEM IS. ANY HELP WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED. THANKS!
I noticed several people with the same problem I have. The Sport Mode (I guess ) light comes on and flashes and car goes into safe mode....shut car off and restart and it may go for days etc. before it happens again..........no codes etc. ........What is the issue - if anyone knows
Hey there group...... I am back again...... I have a 01 Cat and of course I love the car. It is my wives car and she won't part with it.... The problem, a little over a year ago, I replaced the heater valve..... well it seems that I now loose a "jug" full of water in about 2 weeks time. Could it be another valve? I never seem to see any trace of "fresh" water on the floor of the garage......Also how much of a job is it to change the gasket in the valve cover? THANKS.. Lee
Sometimes when im playing my radio its just cuts off for a while or a couple minutes and then it comes back on. I hav no clue y it is doin that. When i but my cassette tape in my catera and attach it to my ipod only one side of my car places and all my adjustments are where they suppose to me...can u please help mee thankk
I had a similar problem with my radio cutting off. You can search for my earlier post if you would like. The problem turned out to be the relay board. When the radio cut out, the trunk opener also did not work.
Radio/Trunk problems. I traced my problem with these issues on my 99 Catera to the multi function relay under the dash, drivers side (dealer calls it a module) mine is gray box 2"x2"x1", I got it to dangle down and just give it a kick every time the radio goes out.... kick....radio back on. Dealer price was around $70. You need to remove the fuse cover and the cardboard cover above the brake to access this part. it is with a cluster of 4 relays. It is the largest of all 4.
Remove the trim panel from below the steering wheel. Remove the black vinyl covered insert that is underneath that. With a flashlight, lay on your back head next to the pedals and look up and to the right, over by the fender. Gray box just above smaller red box. Twist the gray box slightly clockwise and pull up. It should pop off it's mount. Now remove the wiring harness plug.
I have the same problem on my 1998 Catera. Here is what I do to increase the remote range. Now don't laugh! Hold the remote with metal key ring pressed against your forehead and then press remote.The fluid in your brain acts as an antenna and you will pick up at least 25 feet. Try it! Eldoradojerry
Hi All I have a 1998 Catera. There are 2 oil lights on my dash along with an oil pressure gauge. The bottom oil icon goes out after starting vehicle, but the top oil light comes on intermitintly while driving. The oil pressure gauge shows good pressure at all speeds. Any ideas as to what is going on ? Thanks Edoradojerry
Tonight I notice my my insturment lights were not working, also the parklights are not working also. The fog lights or not working either. I checked the fuses under the dash and they are good. Have anyone had or know what the problem is.
Ok i been threw two new battery's an alternator, spark plugs, and replaced my (before)Oxygen Sensor and for some reason my car Starts often. I have to jump it everytime it doesnt start. When i turn the ignition the lights com on bu they are dem and they seem to be just dieing so i have no clue what it could be could u plzz help thank ....Its for my 2000 Catera
Bought my 1998 Catera on my 50th birthday, 7 years ago. Took a test drive and fell in love. I live in North Dakota and it is the perfect car for this state, lots of 4-lane and interstate where you can cruise at 75-80mph and no one bothers you. Just traded it in because I could not get the courage up to drive it out of town anymore, I was too afraid it would break down.....again. It was fine the first couple of years, but as time and the miles rolled on (it had 86,000 when I traded it) the repair bills just kept adding up. It's a real shame because I loved driving the car as much when I traded it, as the day I bought it. I'm afraid if you buy one you're in for a bunch of heartache too. Anyway, that's my Catera story, it's love/hate at it's best.
P.S. My Catera had a majority of the problems mentioned earlier on this site.
See Message 1200... boy, that sums it up. It is a shame that such a good car had such problems. My wife and had many long hard discussions on getting rid of "her" Catera.... it is the kind of car that you fall in love with and we had two of them... the last a 2001 had the peskie problems that plague the Catera. GM what did you to to this fine car? It is the finest car I have ever had but like the saying goes... " all good things must come to an end" The only way I could convince my wife to part with it was that I could not trust the car for her to travel in........ good bye Catera... Lee ( got me a toyota now.......)
I had a problem it would die and not start back for a couple hours and then it might run fine for a day or 2 then same thing also rough idle we replaced coil and mass airflow sensor and it is running like top knock on wood
I had a like problem we replaced mass air flow senor and coil and it runs like a top knock on wood except for the headlights will not go off anyone with ideas please help
My Mom had a '98 zigger with that same headlight problem. She has since traded it in for a new Lexus which she loves. Now if you want dependability and comfort - get a Lexus. I think this car could be driven to Hawaii with out any problem...LOL Anyhow, when her headlights stayed on (happened maybe 3 times in 10 years) I would disconnect the positive battery cable from the battery and leave it disconnected for a couple of minutes and then hook it back up and all would be fine for several months. Just kind of have to keep an eye on it after you turn it off with headlights on which is kind of a hassle. Hope this helps. Good luck.
You can find loads of remotes on EBAY that very reasonably priced and most of the sellers will provide you with the programming instructions free with the remote so you don't have to pay your local Cardiac dealer a fortune to get one programmed. Just be sure you deal with a reputable seller with positive feedback and be sure you're getting the correct remote as GM has about 100 different remotes. You can also Google the correct programming procedure. Good luck.
my car stalls in the middle of driving. it will take about 10-60 minutes to restart..somtimes it will go two weeks w/o stalling. i've replaced the crank censor 400 bucks and 4 different mechanics cant figure out whats causing it shut down.. no codes, no idea
Has anyone had this happen? When driving and more when not accelerating, the car shakes left to right. I first thought i needed air in my tires, but after filling them it seemed to continue. I have an appointment at Pep boys this weekend but I figured i would ask if anyone has had this happen. The car is a 98 but i only have 38, 000 miles on her. Let me know what you think it could be.
Considering the fact that you only have 38K miles, I would say your problem is one of the following: Your tires are out of balance or you need to get your tires aligned or you have a tire or two out of round or one, two or all three of these combined. Anything more extreme suggested by Pep Boys and I would get a second opinion. It is possible that you had an unusually early failure of them and you may need new struts. Good luck and let us know what Manny, Moe & Jack tell you..............
I had the same problem when the car was new, Posibly all three as suggested by manny, however the car is an abortion and has a bad drive shaft design making it difficult to control when driving slow. my suggestion is give it the gas, lol.
One more suggestion as you only have 38,000 check you timing belt & pulley's they have multi recalls even if the dealer say's it the newer issue don't believe them! they sheer at 40-50,000, my 98 just died with 20,600 :sick: because the pully failed and sheered the timing belt distroying the engine. GM will not repair even thought this is a known failure. :lemon:
98 Catera ... she wont start or even turn over without time to "cool off" between trips, however if there isn't enough time to wait her out, she responds to a jump start ..??.. the radiator should not be running hotter than the engine but there is a 20-40 degree discrepancy ... I know someone has this one figured out already. Please...
Car starts up then stalls while driving. then it takes a few mins to start back up. I was thinking it could be a fuel pump problem?. Bad gas? Water in the gas? Freezing up over night. This problem is real bad on the morning drive. Tune-up? Clogged Fuel injecters? If anyone has any ideas please let me know what i can do!!
The hood on my 98 catera slamed down, and will not open. It is in the completely closed position, it will not budge.I have loosened the grill enough to get my hands up in there. I can feel the safety latch , and it moves freely. I can feel a cable next to itand can move it slightly, but the hood does not open. Does any one out there have a solution, or a diagram of the hood release. thanks Bo1.I
Sounds like it's being held too tight to release. Try pushing down on the hood at the same time someone pulls the release cable, then see if the hood will pop up by itself while cable is being pulled.The rubber bumpers under the hood might need to be screwed down a little so that the hood is not held down so tightly..
My car does the same thing and has for mouths. The book says that light is for low oil level but mine isn't low. I just act like it isn't on and check my oil myself just like I have done all my life. Same with low anti-freeze and brake pads lights. I unpluged them and wired them so they don't come on because I don't need them.
ok i have a 2000 catera and the check engine is on...every time i start my car in the beginning of the day it makes some noises really loud and starts shaking and then it shuts down afeter a few seconds, and i have to start it again and again, probably 3 times so the car will start correctly...i did the diagnosis they say there can be 5 misfire cylinders, two O2 sensors malfunctioning , a split vacuum hose and a bad air mass flow. Has anyone have a problem like that or someone that can help me figure out what could be, i dont know probably these mechanics wants to get some money out me...so please anybody i 'll be thankful to hear from someone.
Have the Tensioner Pulley & Timing belt checked ASAP! Or it will distroy the engine as it did mine if the belt sheers. That is a manufacturers defect and parts were recalled back in 2000. Pully may be starting to malfuction as you say it will start after a few times but eventually will fail all together, snapping the Belt or it might be one of the belts slipping. Either way if it goes completely your engine is toast. You may already have partial damage to the values and not a total failure. GM has hidden this defect and will not address it if there is a complete failure. Check to see if there is an open recall by calling CS recall line first before going to the dealer. Dealers do not volenter that information, nor will they check it unless you insist because they have to open the engine to get to it.
As for the O2 sensors that to is a possibility and may or may not be a symptom of of valve damage but I had mine replaced at a non dealer because the dealer kept telling me there was nothing wrong if the check engine goes on and off. My car failed with only 20,654 original miles destroying the engine and all GM said was "were sorry for the inconvience" by another one! Ha! fat chance that will ever happen or any GM for that matter. Good Luck!
It has a drivability problem it will start up and idle fine for about 30 sec then start idling ruff like on 4 cylinders, some times it will start up fin. when you get lucky and drive the car it will run fine then it acts like its losing spark the engine will shut down and it will restart engine miss firing, and check engine light starts flashing and It coming up with codes 300, threw 306, then comes up with 301,303,306, its not always the same cylinder that are losing spark. Could this be the crank sensor or the ECM
I have97 catera fix water leak at heater control valve but it did over heat before it was fixed and had a miss after fixing valve started car and coolant gushed out of tank and wouldn't start kinnda like something eas holding it back is there a head gasket l;eak on the compression side
My Catera has similar issues. If the engine light comes on, I will disconnect the battery,wait a few min. & reconnect. It seems to reset the electronics. Then when I start the car, I will run the RPMs to between 2500 - 3000 for about 3 to 7 seconds. During that time I hear something click, it might be an auotmatic choke kicking out. After that it runs fine.
My 98 Catera has a brake light issue, where can i find or how do i replace the strip of lights along the trunk? If they go out bit by bit, its not out completely , is there a penal I can purchase ? Will I fail inspection if this light do not work completely ?? Who's dumb idea was it to add such a fixture thats almost impossible to replace?
ok here is the deal...i went to this place and they told me to do a diagnosis test to see what the real problem was and i did... the guy told to replace a split vacuum hose and get a new MAF sensor n cleared the codes from the system...the cost a lot but i had to anyways, after doing all that my 2000 Catera runs better now, but the next day the check engine light came on again , so pissed i thought i was done with it, i went bach to that place again And wanted me to spend another $100 for another test which i said hell no!...well told that guy to scan the system again and pulled: P0135 O2 sensor malfunction(bank 1 sensor 1) and P0155 O2 sensor malfunction(bank 2 sensor 1)...so i guess there is something wrong with those...i would like to know where the sensors are located, if can be fixed if it's easy so i can do it or have to buy new ones... so please i'll appreciate your responses.thanks
Comments
Don't know if you sent your inquiry to me but I got a notification anyway. Sorry don't know anything about Sport Mode only used it maybe once. But Have had other intermitten electrical problems. When I first start car non of the dash lights light until I hit the break for the first time. Go figure? Sometimes have to hit the break a few times for them to stay on.
I suggest you call GM CS 1-800-333-4cad prompt to recalls, and ask if there is any open recalls? Don't explain your problem until she tells you yes and what their for. Catera has Multi recalls for almost every part of the vehicle. if Yes tell them what your experiancing, maybe if it's a small fix they'll do it. If NO to any recalls or they will not repair if there are ,than contact the National HIghway & Safty @ www.nhtsa.gov and file a complaint. As for a resolution to my problem - Car is dead, GM is refusing to honor the recalls or return the money I paid for the recalled parts. Oh yah, they did make me an off thought. They said they would give me a $3500 credit of the sticker if I bought a NEW CADDY :mad: Hummmm cash for clunkers was what? $4500 Oh yeah, they seem to forgot about all the Loyalty Customer letters they've been sending me before the problem offering $2750 off the sticker if I would buy another Car, Not to mention their making the same offer to anyone walking off the street. WoW they really know how to satisfy a customer they stick with a defective vehicle, Good luck!
I am back again...... I have a 01 Cat and of course I love the car. It is my wives car and she won't part with it.... The problem, a little over a year ago, I replaced the heater valve..... well it seems that I now loose a "jug" full of water in about 2 weeks time. Could it be another valve? I never seem to see any trace of "fresh" water on the floor of the garage......Also how much of a job is it to change the gasket in the valve cover? THANKS.. Lee
You need to remove the fuse cover and the cardboard cover above the brake to access this part. it is with a cluster of 4 relays. It is the largest of all 4.
GM part number 90494163
K134 location:
Remove the trim panel from below the steering wheel.
Remove the black vinyl covered insert that is underneath that.
With a flashlight, lay on your back head next to the pedals and look
up
and to the right, over by the fender.
Gray box just above smaller red box.
Twist the gray box slightly clockwise and pull up.
It should pop off it's mount.
Now remove the wiring harness plug.
Which one is this sensor the before or after
Eldoradojerry
I have a 1998 Catera. There are 2 oil lights on my dash along with an oil pressure gauge. The bottom oil icon goes out after starting vehicle, but the top oil light comes on intermitintly while driving. The oil pressure gauge shows good pressure at all speeds. Any ideas as to what is going on ? Thanks
Edoradojerry
P.S. My Catera had a majority of the problems mentioned earlier on this site.
Cissie
Cissie
One more suggestion as you only have 38,000 check you timing belt & pulley's they have multi recalls even if the dealer say's it the newer issue don't believe them!
they sheer at 40-50,000, my 98 just died with 20,600 :sick: because the pully failed and sheered the timing belt distroying the engine. GM will not repair even thought this is a known failure. :lemon:
Good luck
Thanks John
As for the O2 sensors that to is a possibility and may or may not be a symptom of of valve damage but I had mine replaced at a non dealer because the dealer kept telling me there was nothing wrong if the check engine goes on and off. My car failed with only 20,654 original miles destroying the engine and all GM said was "were sorry for the inconvience" by another one! Ha! fat chance that will ever happen or any GM for that matter. Good Luck!
It has a drivability problem it will start up and idle fine for about 30 sec then start idling ruff like on 4 cylinders, some times it will start up fin. when you get lucky and drive the car it will run fine then it acts like its losing spark the engine will shut down and it will restart engine miss firing, and check engine light starts flashing and It coming up with codes 300, threw 306, then comes up with 301,303,306, its not always the same cylinder that are losing spark. Could this be the crank sensor or the ECM
Thanks
Cissie