Good job JustinDu and good luck. I would make a wager that the reason it 'runs rough' is because the valve cover gaskets are leaking onto your spark plugs and spark plug wires. That is what was wrong with mine when mine started running really rough. It cost me $1500. Have you taken it to a mechanic to see what they say?
Cheryl
So how is anyone doing with their complaints to Cadillac on their Catera? All I've gotten so far is canned email responses and yesterday I got a phone number to call to discuss the problem. I haven't called yet.
I've been told that my starter could not have been ruined by a leak from a head gasket, and if that is so, then my mechanic is, as I suspected, ripping me off. Most likely he/they didn't know what to do about my car not starting, so they changed my starter and sent it home. Since that time, my car has done the same thing 3 times, where it won't start/turn over, but when I stepped on the brake it then did turn over. It doesn't act this way all the time, so it's hard to tell what's wrong with it. A friend mechanic said to get rid of the #$@# car now! How do you get rid of a car when you have been unemployed for almost 2 years?? Will anyone do an even trade out there? I doubt it.
I don't have a warranty, since my car is older. So all this is coming out of my IRA, what little is left of it. I thought Cadillac was a good car, but I will never buy one again.
Yes, please let me know. I haven't called yet, I figured I'd just be put on hold for an hour or so. So if you have luck, I will try. Good luck!
My car is really screwing with me now. Sometimes is just is dead, like before, and scares me half to death that it won't start. But I stepped on the brake this morning and then tried again and it started. A single woman with no relatives and no friends around to bail her out, needs a dependable car.
Cheryl, you need to find a reputable CADILLAC dealer in your area. The problem you are experiencing is consistent with a positive battery cable issue that is very common on this vehicle. While I will say that the 97-99 Catera is possibly the WORST car Cadillac has ever put their name on, I will tell you that I have never replaced a "failed " starter in one. Not once. Never. Your battery has endured the strain of trying to start the car thru a cable with extremely high resistance, and may need to be replaced as well. I have repaired several Cateras in this manner. Good Luck, let me know how it turns out.
Re: Cadillac Catera 1998 shuts down 
Re: Cadillac Catera 1998 shuts down 
Re: Cadillac Catera 1998 shuts down 
Re: Cadillac Catera 1998 shuts down 
