Help with my 00 Deville

caddie02 · #1 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 09:14 AM

Hey guys got a couple of problems with my car.

Firstly, Ive owned the car for about 4 years; two of them were spent with the car sitting in my driveway. The transmission died coming back from a trip from New York, to Maine(transmission fluid pouring out of the air vent). Got that replaced, and everything was all set until recently.

I started my car one afternoon about two and 1/2 weeks ago and noticed the lights were staying on. It was broad daylight and usually only the driving lights should pop on when I select a gear.
I have tried all kinds of things to do with the Twilight setting and such. Yesterday it was working properly, but today the sun is shining directly onto the sensor, and its still calling for the lights. [Ever heard of twilight sentinels dying?]

Secondly, my fuel gauge has not worked since Ive owned the car. I purchased it from an extremly elderly man, and was keen to notice the dings and dents from his attempts to park. I realized the other day that the car must have been in an accident after the Bondo on the rear passenger side started to show inside the wheel well (could also explain the fuel gauge, but Im so perceptive...).

The car has had a remote starter kit installed from the previous owner, which I have never tried to used (keychain starter battery was dead, forgot about the feature) and was curious if that could have something to do with my fuel gauge being inoperative since Ive owned the car.

I have pulled the codes and heres what I have:

IPM

B0184 - Solar Load Sensor #1 Circuit Range (sunload) - history

B0189 - Solar Load Sensor #2 Circuit Range (sunload) - current

B2646 - Ambient Light Sensor Circuit Range - history

PCM

P0463 - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Voltage - history

I have cleared the codes about 2 weeks before I pulled these, and so far, these are reoccurring buggers.

Any help is much appreciated. About time to trade her in with 107K on her.

00 Deville · #2 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddie02

B0184 - Solar Load Sensor #1 Circuit Range (sunload) - history

B0189 - Solar Load Sensor #2 Circuit Range (sunload) - current

B2646 - Ambient Light Sensor Circuit Range - history

All 3 of these codes point to a bad Sun Load Sensor... the top 2 codes are being reported by the HVAC system the bottom is being reported by the IPM.

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddie02

PCM

P0463 - Fuel Level Sensor Circuit High Voltage - history

This code is pointing towards a bad fuel level sensor. If you want to test the system. Remove the connector from the fuel level sensor the gauge should read full. Short the pins together on the fuel level sensor connector the gauge should read empty.

caddie02 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 07:07 PM

So how hard is it to change a bad sun sensor? Should I not bother with it? I suppose I could live with it and trade it like it is if the problem is too expensive.
On another note, if it means getting at the sentinel in the middle of the dashboard, I need to glue my dashboard down sometime (common problem with the 2000's I hear), which I should have done while I was getting the windshield replaced >.<

The fuel gauge is weird. It will read the right level once in a while, when Im parked on level ground and the car isnt moving at all. But once I move anywhere it reads full all the time. Is there a post on here anywhere that explains how to check the connectors? These cars are way too complicated for my simple knowledge of vehicles, heh.

Thanks for the reply

00 Deville · #4 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 07:30 PM

The Sun Load/Twilight Sentinel Sensor is easy to replace.

Remove the defroster grille.
Remove the sunload sensor from defroster grill by twisting ¼ turn.

Sunload.gif

Your description sounds like a bad fuel level sensor. An open or bad spot on the sensor will cause it to read full. The fuel level sensor is attached to the fuel pump so you will need to pull the pump out of the tank. Make sure the tank is less than 3/4 full before trying to remove. There is an access panel in the trunk behind the rear seat back and forward of the spare tire.

MisterBlue · #5 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 07:35 PM

I'd guess that a non-OEM remote starter kit could cause all sorts of electrical problems. The computers in these cars (there's a bunch of 'em) do not get along well with "foreign" devices. That includes remote starters, non-OEM sound systems, and non-OEM alarms. Tap into the wrong power bus, and feedback loops may trigger all sorts of gremlins.

The headlight problem sounds like it may just be a loose connection, since the CdS photocell essentially "shorts out" when exposed to light.

caddie02 · #6 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 08:07 PM

Thanks guys for the responses

If I was to replace the sensor, should I just search on ebay for one? What exactly would I tell a automotive shop so they could get me a replacement sensor?

Thanks for the info on the fuel gauge sensor, I knew it would probably require me dropping the tank. I was hoping the fuel pump was dying since the fuel gauge sensor and the fuel pump itself are all in one assembly. Going by gallons used has always been an annoyance, and doing arithmetic to figure out where my gas level is at is ridiculous.

UPDATE: Another problem I had today.... I started my car, went inside to let it warm up, and after about 3-4 minutes I came outside and the car was stalled... What else can go wrong in my life -.- .

I would be curious to know if my local shop could remove the remote starter kit without screwing anything else up in the process (they arent Cadillac specialist by any means, but damn cheap

). I've never used it, and have no plans on using it.

**Ranger** · #7 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 08:35 PM

If no luck on Ebay, try gmotors. You want a sun load sensor. That is the domed one, not the flat one.

00 Deville · #8 (**permalink**) 10-15-09, 08:39 PM

The sunload sensor is probably going to only be available at a dealer parts counter.

You don't have to drop the fuel tank to change the fuel level sensor. There's an access panel to pull the fuel pump out in the trunk. They are attached to each other but can be replaced separately. The fuel level sensor is either $107 or $147 on RockAuto.com depending on the VIN # of your 2000 Deville (there was a design change)

caddie02 · #9 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 06:11 AM

Thanks again for the replies, I got the ambient light sensor ordered and awaiting arrival. Is there a trick to removing the defroster grill? Doesnt really seem like a lot of room to work.

Out of sheer curiosity, could anyone point me to a post on here (search function hates me apparently) with instructions on re-gluing the dashboard trim? I've heard its quite common with the 2000 Cadillacs. With the light sensor and, hopefully, fuel level sensor all sorted, I'll be on my way to finding my old caddie a good home. 107K miles and its time to give her up.
I have noticed after 100K miles my luck with Deville's starts to wear thin. My experience from owning two Cadillacs.

00 Deville · #10 (**permalink**) 10-17-09, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddie02

Is there a trick to removing the defroster grill? Doesnt really seem like a lot of room to work.

It's held in by clips... so just gently pry one end up with a screwdriver... then pull it out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by caddie02

Out of sheer curiosity, could anyone point me to a post on here (search function hates me apparently) with instructions on re-gluing the dashboard trim?

Most people have been using Gorilla Glue to glue it back down.

The search function is not the best if you go to Google's advanced search and use the "Search within a site or domain" feature. It works a lot better.