RWD 19xx-1984 DeVille and Fleetwood, 1985-1996 Fleetwood and Brougham ForumForum for discussions regarding the rear wheel drive Pre80s-1984 DeVille and Fleetwood, 1985-1996 Fleetwood/Brougham.
I'd be very curious to see what was written in the manual about the check engine light.
I don't recall it word for word, but basically the recomended break in time wa 1000 miles & not to drive over 60 mph, the service soo light would come on if the car was driven over 60 mph during the break in mileage.
I was a service advisor at a large Cadillac dealership during the years 1981 thru 1990. I do not recall any instructions to keep a car in 3rd gear for 1000 miles? 4 speed automatics were just beginning to show up in cars as well as light trucks in that era and many customers for some reason, would drive around in 3rd gear till getting on the freeway and then moving the lever into 4th. I think it was started by some well meaning salesman thinking the transmission would be better for it. As we all know now overdrive, lockup or 4th gear will not engage at in town speeds in most transmissions so it was a waste of time to do this. My 84 Cadillac service manual only speaks to the specs for minium idle being higher for the first 500 miles if having to be checked and/or adjusted. I would think anything related to a special transmission operation during "break in" would be mentioned specifically in the service manual as well. Bottom line, a check engine light is cause for diagnosis and repair. It is never "normal"
Yeah, that's what I would have thought. I still can't imagine the computer knows how many miles the engine has and sets the CE light if driven over 60mph. That sounds bogus until I see it in writing.
On the 3rd/4th gear thing, my dad bought an 83 Caprice wagon brand new, and it was one of the first few years of the 700R4. I dunno if he did it himself, or heard from the dealer, but he always had it in 3rd gear around town only putting it to 4th on the highway. Honestly, it does make some sense. You have an underpowered LG4 heavy wagon with probably 2.73 gears. The 700R4 in its early days was not exactly bulletproof. And I understand 4th gear does something to improve efficiency in 4th gear and shifting in and out of it all the time (remember the no power/heavy car thing) was not good for it at all.
Conversely, my 93 9C1 with L05 and factory 3.42 gears will pull a moderately steep hill at 41mph in 4th gear with the TCC locked, with 253k on it, too!
Ummm I'm not sure we're talking about the same thing? The GM mechanic said "Service Engine Soon light means the emission's system needs servicing." Now what part needs servicing that's something else. The same GM mechanic & the transmission mechanic that I use told me he has "never herd of service lights for trany's except on big rigs." The 1993 Cadillac Fleetwood Shop Service Manual backs this up. Did I mention that this Fleetwood has the California Emission's System. All said and done I will spend the extra money & try the GM EGR and hope for the best. Stay tuned.
I was a service advisor at a large Cadillac dealership during the years 1981 thru 1990. I do not recall any instructions to keep a car in 3rd gear for 1000 miles? 4 speed automatics were just beginning to show up in cars as well as light trucks in that era and many customers for some reason, would drive around in 3rd gear till getting on the freeway and then moving the lever into 4th. I think it was started by some well meaning salesman thinking the transmission would be better for it. As we all know now overdrive, lockup or 4th gear will not engage at in town speeds in most transmissions so it was a waste of time to do this. My 84 Cadillac service manual only speaks to the specs for minium idle being higher for the first 500 miles if having to be checked and/or adjusted. I would think anything related to a special transmission operation during "break in" would be mentioned specifically in the service manual as well. Bottom line, a check engine light is cause for diagnosis and repair. It is never "normal"
no one said to drive it in 3rd gear, we just did it so the light would stop coming on & off.
Yeah, that's what I would have thought. I still can't imagine the computer knows how many miles the engine has and sets the CE light if driven over 60mph. That sounds bogus until I see it in writing.
Ok you got me, i'm lying
who said the computer was doing it?, it was most likly a switch bbehind the odometer that would trigger a circuit to show the light & once 1000 miles was ticked off the switch went to "sleep".
i'm telling you thats what it was. belive me or don't belive me, but it did happen.
Well now I've done it. The Service Engine Soon light is the least of my problems! I smashed the Fleetwood. Take a look.....& yes the "Service Engine Soon" light came on!!
Last edited by themadwacker1 : 06-11-08 at 01:33 PM.
Well now I've done it. The Service Engine Soon light is the least of my problems! I smashed the Fleetwood. Take a look.....& yes the "Service Engine Soon" light came on!!
I hit a cement block going in reverse & trying to turn at the same time. Now I don't know to do with this car? It runs great & it's clean inside & out but it will cost a lot of $$$$ to repair this kind of damage. Should I part her out or try and fix her or just drive her till death. Did I mention that no one wants to sell me a rear fender
. Now I don't know to do with this car?
Did I mention that no one wants to sell me a rear fender
