1. I recently had my front brake pads and rotors replaced by Meineke. Staying par for the course with the Catera, I had to provide the rotors and front sensors as the mechanics at Meineke could not find them. After all repairs were completed, the break pad wear indicator light is now on. The folks at Meineke are not familiar with the car and are open to suggestions as to how to turn it off. Any ideas? I would like to prevent "shorting" the sensors (as was suggested in a previous thread) since I just shelled out $100 for them.

2. Periodically, the front ashtray becomes stuck or has trouble closing. How can one open the center console to fully access it?

Thanks for your help!

IM guessing because they didnt know how the car works, then they didnt know how to install the sensors properly. Or if they even put them in.. not uncommon for things to be left undone at shops. Id ask for them to pay for a Cadillac dealer to correct it. Or atleast, have them go over it one more time. First off, you could try disconnecting the battery for a minute or two, and then connect it again.. start the vehicle and see if the light went away. Was the light on before the brakes were done?



As for the ashtray.. this site is for stereo removal, but in the process the ashtray is taken out, follow the 2nd and 3rd pictures and the instructions next to them: http://www.carstereohelp.com/stereoremovalCadCatera.htm

Make sure they actually changed the sensor.

The sensor clips to the innermost pad and has it's own plug on the fenderwall.

Did you change ALL of the brakes?

Ooop.. it says he changed the front ones... that could be why.

last time i was at the dealer, they said that i need to get my brakes done in a while. so when i do get them done, i have to take the dealer??? i was just gonna buy rotors and pads from like autozone, and then get my speed shop (that mainly does work on my focus) to install them! is this a bad idea, due to these sensors?

Thanks for the info! I am glad to have found this site. It's nice to know that there are others out there that can relate to the joys and pains of owning a Catera.
The light was not on before the brakes were done. It only came on after they did the front brakes. I disconnected the battery but the light still came on. Meineke is going to look at it again for me and we will see what happens. Thanks for all of your help.

you could always pull out the light in the dashboard if the brake pads are correct. takes all of 10minutes to get to the bulbs

I just purchased a 2001 Catera with 5,000 miles on it. It drives like a $30,000 plus auto and I hope they got all the glitches. I paid $13,800 and I noticed it had ceramic brake pads and the wheel balancing weights are chrome shims which look like they are glued on and or held on by double back tape. I'm lost when you speak of the wheel sensors. What exactly do the sense ? Also do you have to see a dealer to balance the tire ?

Frank