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Comments
Rick
gnguru@hotmail.com
please put "catera" in subject box...
Ciara
Any ideas on this?
For all---- info. to be continued as I bench check inj's. or go deeper into valve train as needed. I've heard Cad mechanics do not like to work on Cateras because of the unfamilar mechanical design of systems. Therefore very costly to repair.
Thanks
Also, I think the car is possessed. I call her Christine because sometimes the alarm will come on for no reason at all - when I'm driving the car. I have to pull over, turn off the car and turn the key in the drivers side lock for it to stop.
The trunk has a mind of it's own also...sometimes it will open if I push the button inside and sometimes it won't. Sometimes if I turn it on, the trunk will then open. Other times I have to take the key out for the trunk to work.
I guess I should be thankful that the guy I bought the car from removed the stereo system because I don't have to worry about the radio going on and off at will. It also doesn't have a sunroof, which I'm also glad about because I've read that those like to open and close, with or without the car being on!
After I get the window working, my next task is to figure out why the driver's side won't unlock the car doors but does lock them. I'm guessing that the broken window ties into this issue. I really hate NOT knowing how to do something...and unfortunately, I don't know anyone who can teach me these things, but I'm a willing learner!
Thanks to anyone who can help.
Mich
Please note my car has 355,000 kilometers and this car was a great car FOR ME until 300,000 kilometers with no major repairs. I still have the original timing belt or I am assuming it is chain because it hasnt broken yet. I guess I am one of the few lucky ones!
It is a little irksome that the collant level sensor went bad...i just haven't bothered to get the panel warning light to shut off;I understand the only fix is to replace the overflow tank.
I have a lot of oil on the engine from a valve cover gasket leak not sure it that is an issue?
Starter is working because it turns over and the ingnition obviously. End of my ropes and cadi dealers down here want your first born to fix them just can't afford it.
Any ideas????
Try this first and we'll go from there.
By the way carb cleaner is not meant to be used as a fuel to start with, I don't like any starting fluid, gas is good enough. You can blow the top off your intake with any fuel shot into the intake. The fuel injectors must be the only supplier of fuel.
1. The dashboard light fuse keep blowing, I replace it and about 15min later it goes (only when the light is on) nothing else seems to be affected by this, all the warning lights and signals work fine and are not affected. I tried to see if the AC/CD/Fans/heater being on/off makes any difference but it does not. the fuse is 10amp, I tried with 25amp and it also went. Not sure if this is related but I had the passenger side window replaced about 2 months ago (not at Cadillac dealer), about a week later the dashboard fuse started going. I know this is open for many possibilities but if someone had similar problem or any ideas please share.
2. Where can I find replacement arms for the rear window sun shade? the hinges at the top were broken since I bought the car, I tried different types of glue with no luck. and I tried to get replacements at salvage yards and ebay but could not find them their either. not sure if they are called something else. Thanks for any help.
( just checked and can not find it.........)
My son watched some Cateras being built in the Opel plant in southern Germany when he went to college there. Funny, they used them for police cars since they were built so good for the Germans.
I suspect after hearing all the electrical probs with them that the export ones included some intentional fopaughs (electrical mysteries) during assembly.
Our 635 BMW was trouble free but wasn't as good on gas as the Mercedes Benz 300e, and insurance was much higher. I am an (unusual car) nut, mostly odd ones
I only traded my Reatta for this Catera because it was so sharp looking, missing on one cyl. and apart now to fix and no regrets yet. Dave
Thanks.
Thanks
By the way are you from Alabama"
I am from Daphne.............
Might be the starter but I'm wondering why the engine would start only when jumped when the starter would turn the engine. A clue from that might be that the starter armature is grounding out due to worn armature bearings and takes most of the lone battery current not allowing engine to fire up but the jump provides enough current to fire the engine.
The other possibility is a poor connection at the starter, should hear a click even though starter is bad which indicates a bad solenoid or relay.
Try leaving lights on and try to start to see if lights die when starter is engaged, if they do die then most likely the starter is bad, if they don't die then that means starter is not connected, the current flow is broken, then likely it's not the starter. .
We have conserns since we found out about it's interference engine after we drove it home" as is"
The wife loves the car, except the drivers side seat heater is inoperative.
Any ideas about this symtom and how to deal with it.
We have had the car 5 days, It has 88,000 miles
Thank you
Dave
Catera's have a sealed transmission so no way to put fluid into them. But if you go to one of the lube shops and can get them to agree to it they can inject some fluid into the trani for a temporary fix. But you have a leak somewhere evidently so it's probably a gasket. Catera's are known for the gaskets wearing out quickly. Mine only has 47K miles and I have two bad gaskets to fix already.
Just some thoughts on the situation as my last catera had a trani problem.
You can also check the fuel pump by spraying a small amount of carb cleaner (NOT starter fluid) into the intake. If the car starts when you do that then it's most likely the fuel pump. but if you are not getting it to start AND not getting spark it's most likely the crank sensor.
This sensor can fool you by starting sometimes and then just going completely out. Hope this helps only tips I have right now. Good luck
Hope these tips help you out.