My 97 STS has Arrived!!!

[Gearheaad43]

Picked it up this morning.

Better shape cosmetic wise than I expected . Still needs cleaning in some areas (I detail show cars, So I'm picky) Immediately after starting, came the dreaded message across the DIC."Service Stability System" UGGHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So after checking the fluids, I started off on my way to bring it home.. Coolant Temps stayed right dead center. ,... No oil light, no low level lights.. So after it warmed it some, I got on it on the freeway (60-90) passing gear a couple times. And it was pretty responsive. But I thought not as quick as my Supercharger 3800 V6 in the Grand Prix.

Anyhow, I drove it 55 miles on the interstate. Got off the exit and stopped at the light off the exit ramp. Smoke starting coming out of the hood on the left side, On green, I pulled into a vacant lot and popped the hood to investigate the smoke. It smelled like coolant and it appeared to be coming from the left/ back side of the engine, just behind the Throttle body. The smoke cleared up... I drove it another 30 miles ...No smoke.

What the hell was that?

Upon arriving home, I ran the Diagnostic Mode. DTC History indicated:

PCM P0603 - Control Module Long Term Memory Reset

RSS C1760 - Left Front Position Sensor Input Fault

RSS C1761 - Right Front Position Sensor Input Fault

PZM B1971 - Inadvertent Power

IRC B1740 - Driver Seat Front Down Switch Malufunction

IRC U1129 - Loss of Communication with AMP.

Questions:

1. Are the L & R Position Sensors replaceable? Or do the struts need replacing?

2. What does Inadvertent Power Mean?

3. Is the AMP bad?

4. What do you guys think caused the smoke?

I'll have pictures in a couple days after I have time to really detail it to death!!!! I'd appreicate any help from you folks on here!!!

[JoeT1224]

I'm sorry to say that I can't help you with your problems, but I can sure congratulate you on a fine buy! That generation Seville is bold and holds a unique character that has been unmatched by Sevilles that have followed it. Hope you have lots of pleasurable miles behind the wheel of it!

Joe

[Ranger]

Position sensors are replacable. Look pull the front wheels and look throught the wheel well and you'll see them.

Not sure about the steam, but there are a couple of coolant lines in that area.

[Mccalist]

If all the codes are "history" there probably isn't a problem. If not:

the pcm p0603 i have (had) too. i think it may be from having the battery disconnected or taking the pcm out (from under the air filter box.) It is not anything to worry about, and it will go away after like 30 ignition cycles.

Speculation: If the position sensors are from the struts, and your car has replacement struts on it, it may be that a non-oem strut was used. There are aftermarket struts made to fit these cars, but they do not have the electronic component to them. There is a way to override this which is described somewhere in this forum - I'd do a search.

Not sure about PZM or IRC codes.

Enjoy your new ride.

Edit: I would highly suggest getting a factory service manual. You can find them on ebay for about $40.

[Gearheaad43]

All Codes where history. So guess what? I cleared all of them to see if any of those would reset..... And the RSS C1760 / RSS C1761 code set as CURRENT.. So it's either BOTH sensors are BAD or the front struts have been replaced.. I'll have to investigate further to see if I can locate those sensors based on the locations Ranger provided.

I've looked and looked on the side where the coolant smoke was coming from. (It is a tight spot and HARD to see.) But as far as I can tell, there isn't any coolant accumulating near (or under) the car, or the throttle body.

There is also a roller guide for the Passenger front door that is bad. Door's making an awful popping sound when opening and closing. But it's nothing that can not be fixed,....

Edit: I would highly suggest getting a factory service manual. You can find them on ebay for about $40.

Yep.. Been on the lookout for a good set

[Ranger]

My '97 Deville made that "popping" sound from the roller. Oiled the hell out of it and never seemed to help much. Likewise, never caused any problems.

When looking for the sensor, look for an actuator arm, something like the ELC actuator. Either the actuator arm is attached to the suspension and the sensor to the body or vice versa, can't remember exactly.

[dp102288]

Congrats on the buy and good luck!

[I~LUV~Caddys8792]

Congrats on the buy! I love the 92-97 STS's!

[Gearheaad43]

Update,

The smoke/steam was traced to the heater hose clamp....... Quick fix....... I am going to ramp up with parts needed to do a full tune-up and maintaince, Plugs, wires, Belts, hoses, (ex. heater hoses, they look brand new ) etc. Tires are good all 4 same brand and at 50% wear evenly. I'll have to check the brakes for wear. They feel ok for now. Then I'll have to look in the spare tire well to see if I got any frogs swimming in there.

Any recommendations are welcome...

[dp102288]

Most members will say to stick with OEM spark plugs and wires, but some members are using other brands with varying results.

Good luck with the tune-up!

[Gearheaad43]

I was thinking of going with GM Rapid Fires...... Anyone here use those on their Northstar?

[EcSTSatic]

I'd stick with what is generally accepted as best. A/C Delco

[Krashed989]

Originally Posted by Gearheaad43

And the RSS C1760 / RSS C1761 code set as CURRENT.. So it's either BOTH sensors are BAD or the front struts have been replaced..

Those sensors are not part of the strut (there are actually no sensors at all as part of the strut. Just dampering valves to stiffen or soften the suspension). They will have an actuator arm connected to the lower control arm.

Here, this may help: http://www.cadillacforums.com/cadillac-suspension.pdf