[CaddyCrisis]

My 1989 eldorado is ready to rest. First off the windows don't roll down without some encouragment, the speedometer, odometer, and trip odometer don't work anylonger everything lights up but the numbers don't change. The tail lights are just F***** up. The engine has a oil leak, the air injector pump is SHOT, Doesn't want to start sometimes for no apparent reason at all then starts up 5 minutes later, Tranmission has a "gear select problem". Im just waitng now till I turn 19 so I can get a loan from the bank so I can buy myself a new caddy, but january is still quite a while away. Also the cruise control doesn't work anymore cuz the steering wheel center cover popped off when I was driving and it got caught in between the wheel and the column and I had to turn the wheel pretty hard so I wouldn't hit anyone and it broke so no cruise either.

 

[Azriel]

Ouch! Sorry to hear that dude! Sounds like my '90 Grand Marquis. That thing had so many things wrong with it, that it hardly even made it to the junk yard, so I can empathize with your problem.

Good luck on the next one, and hope this one can carry you through! What are you looking at getting next?

-Jon

 

[ej2000n]

Sorry man, if you get a new caddy you're staight if its used make sure you have records and the codes pulled to make sure everything is straight you don't want to buy someone elses problem.

 

[Eldyfig]

161k miles isn't too bad for an '89. Someone might be able to put a little time and money into it and let it see some more road time.

 

[CaddyCrisis]

I found another 89 eldo for $2200 that has 109k on it. Its a dark burgundy color which is awesome looking and it has a huge sunroof. The engine is in a ton better shape also. The interior is pretty decent it doesn't have any tears in it but its just worn but it pretty good.

 

[Azriel]

Hello again!
Just out of curiosity, have you looked at the 90's ones at all? If money will allow, they really are a better car than the 80's Eldos. Quality was an issue for Cadillac at that time, and thus they weren't as reliable as they could be. Which you found out with your '89. Also, the whole platform took a quantum leap in performance, comfort and driveability. The 4.9 engine was a better performer and laster than the 4.5. If you can swing about $3000-3500 you can get a rather decent 93 or 94 Eldo.
-Jon

 

[Eldyfig]

Possibly less than that. I spent $5900 for my 94 back in 2002. 92K on it at the time.

 

[CaddyCrisis]

Well money is an issue cuz im gonna be going to college here pretty soon and ill need all the money i can get cuz apartment, food, car, insurance, phone and everything else is expensive. so i might just wait till i get out of college to get a like a 98 or up caddy.

 

[Azriel]

That's another option, and a darn good one if you can make that 89 hold on. I drove a 98 ETC yesterday that was AMAZING! Has me running the numbers to see how I can finance this baby. They are well worth the money. And speaking of money, they don't seem to be going for all that much used. THe dealership was asking $10,000 for it. I checked on blue book later, and it booked for $13,000. Guess depreciation is picking up.

-Jon

 

[CaddyCrisis]

I probably would get a newer caddy if i could finance it but in the state of nebraska you have to be 19 to sign any type of contract and my parents won't co sign for me cuz they are too busy spending money on my older brother who still hasn't graduated high school yet who will be almost 20 by the time he graduates. Im on car # 2 and he is on car #4. so pretty much the only problem is getting finacning from a bank or a dealer.

 

[davesdeville]

When it doesn't start for 5 minutes... does the security light flash? If so it's VATS (passkey.) Find out more about the trans. gear selector problem, fix it, and at least it will be bearable to drive...

 

[CaddyCrisis]

The security light doesn't flash. Nothing pops up at all from the DIC or anywhere. The radio and everything else turns on it just won't start. When i try to start it doesn't even turn over.

 

[Krashed989]

What you should do is get a new instrament cluster (or troubleshoot the old one). Then read the codes and go from there.

 

[CaddyCrisis]

where could i get a new cluster or how do i troubleshoot the old one?

 

[Krashed989]

To get a new one, try a junk yard, or ebay. It might not actually be new, but it should work all the same.

to troubleshoot the old one, you would need a FSM and a multimeter. I would try to save the old before getting the new. It might be good and just not receiving data from the sensors... But, all the data first goes through the IPC module... I honestly don't know what exactly is causing it to give blank readouts... Maybe its not the instrament panel, but the instrament panel control module... :hmm:

 

[91TexasSeville]

I agree with Krashed989

If you plan to keep your 89, get the FSM (Factory Service Manual). If you plan to purchase a newer Cadillac you will need to the the FSM for that. Joining this forum was a good first step. As you begin to make repairs your confidence level increases along with your ability to troubleshoot.

New parts for older Cadillac's are dwindling. Dealerships tend not to stock many parts in order to show that their assets are not tied up in slow moving inventory. The parts resource next drops back to large "older" dealerships with NOS inventory or GM parts warehouses.

Good used parts are easier to find because of the Internet and the likes of eBay, but the sources are a little questionable.

Once you learn your car, you will be able to distinguish the good part sources from the parts handlers and know what questions to ask BEFORE you buy.

There is nothing wrong in keeping with the car you have unless the parts needed are greater than your assets (or common sense) will allow.

 

[CaddyCrisis]

Ill try these except i don't know what a multimeter is or where to get one but i have a FSM. Thanks for all your input

 

[kevinrea]

toss it out.
get a new one.

 

[Krashed989]

Ill try these except i don't know what a multimeter is or where to get one but i have a FSM. Thanks for all your input

You can buy cheap multimeters at wallmart. They are simply a combinaton of voltmeter, and ohmmeter, and anything else you may need to test wires.

 

[CaddyCrisis]

alright looks like im making a trip to walmart tomm. thanks alot for your help guys!