Hello all from beautiful Pennsylvania. Found your Forum while searching for Catera related information. I have a question about a 1998 Catera repair and don't know where to post it. I could use some expert advice. Thank you in advance.
Catera question
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
Welcome Aboard !!!! 
This Catera forum is where you need to be - but it's pretty quiet. Not many Catera around any more.
This Catera forum is where you need to be - but it's pretty quiet. Not many Catera around any more.
Thank you Submariner409. I have not owned a Cadillac in the past. Champagne taste and beer budget. But that doesn't stop me from appreciating them.
Our 2005 Kia had almost 245,000 miles on it when the rust finally ruined the frame. A family member purchased the 98 Catera for us at an auction thinking it was a good buy.
My question seems simple but I am guessing the answer isn't. Will replacing the sensor for the speedometer result in the speedometer functioning properly? Hubby wants to put $100 part (sensor) to repair speedometer so it will sell sooner rather than later, if at all. The car body and interior are in excellent condition with 50,000 miles.
Mechanically we know: Speedometer & Odometer do not work; Oil light comes on intermittently; P051 Code; Check engine light on; ABS light on; Traction Control light on; Possible Power Steering Leak or something else leaking; AC doesn't work; Noise in front of motor; PCode for oxygen sensor was reset and has not returned.
I don't want to throw good money after bad. Does anyone have any thoughts as to the outcome of just replacing the VSS sensor and that correcting the speedometer not working? We are not keeping it. Just want to sell and get money back to our thoughtful family member.
Our 2005 Kia had almost 245,000 miles on it when the rust finally ruined the frame. A family member purchased the 98 Catera for us at an auction thinking it was a good buy.
My question seems simple but I am guessing the answer isn't. Will replacing the sensor for the speedometer result in the speedometer functioning properly? Hubby wants to put $100 part (sensor) to repair speedometer so it will sell sooner rather than later, if at all. The car body and interior are in excellent condition with 50,000 miles.
Mechanically we know: Speedometer & Odometer do not work; Oil light comes on intermittently; P051 Code; Check engine light on; ABS light on; Traction Control light on; Possible Power Steering Leak or something else leaking; AC doesn't work; Noise in front of motor; PCode for oxygen sensor was reset and has not returned.
I don't want to throw good money after bad. Does anyone have any thoughts as to the outcome of just replacing the VSS sensor and that correcting the speedometer not working? We are not keeping it. Just want to sell and get money back to our thoughtful family member.
VSS - Vehicle Speed Sensor - on the transmission, usually on an output shaft (axle) housing.
Oil pressure warning - new AC Delco oil pressure sending switch. RockAuto.
Other problems = large money pit.
1998 CADILLAC CATERA 3.0L V6 Electrical Parts | RockAuto
RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.
www.rockauto.com
1998 CADILLAC CATERA 3.0L V6 Speed Sensor | RockAuto
RockAuto ships auto parts and body parts from over 300 manufacturers to customers' doors worldwide, all at warehouse prices. Easy to use parts catalog.
www.rockauto.com
Oil pressure warning - new AC Delco oil pressure sending switch. RockAuto.
Other problems = large money pit.
Submariner409 thank you. We have ordered from RockAuto with great results in the recent past. Thank you for including the links.
Just one more question please. Am I understanding correctly that replacing the VSS could potentially fix the speedometer not working?
Just one more question please. Am I understanding correctly that replacing the VSS could potentially fix the speedometer not working?
The VSS IS the signal driver for the speedo and PCM speed comparisons. Either the VSS itself or the signal (wiring/connectors) is probably faulty.
Have the vehicle scanned at a parts store, get the readout, and use this link to decipher and post any found diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) -
obdii.pro
Have the vehicle scanned at a parts store, get the readout, and use this link to decipher and post any found diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) -
OBDII diagnostics. Trouble codes description for GM
OBDII/EOBD diagnostic code definition. More than 18000 codes for all autos. Trouble codes description for GM
Hi Star233, Speedometer issue is due to ABS module malfunction, Tranny sensor wont help, Module needs to be repaired. There is Silver wire that breaks in these modules, and some guys off ebay do repair it. I did it myself, but the repair could be compared to eye surgery, there are some barely visible wires covered with silicone, if they broken due to repair, its done forever. Silver wire is visible tho, but it requires specific flux for Silver.
Noise wise from the motor hard to tell, could be from serpentine belt tensioner to who knows what. Need to hear it.
AC is common issue, on one of my cateras was Compressor leak, on the other one was high pressure side valve leak. Valve is not removable, I just glued it with epoxy, and it helped for awhile until other leak developed. Catera is common for not working ac
Globuslive thank you so much for sharing your expertise. Hubby did change the tranny sensor and as you stated, it didn't fix anything. I guess hubby will continue to replace parts in hopes of a better outcome until someone buys it or he gives up. At any rate I read your post to him. I appreciate your experience and your generosity of sharing it with us. Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Np, also I forgot to mention oil the pressure light, I had 5 cateras, and almost all of them had light on when oil warmed up, so I if gauge doesn't drop all the way down, bottoming red zone, it's kinda normal, I would think sensor is not calibrated good enough from the factory, but if needle lays down all the way, it could be a pump problem. If engine doesn't sound like a bucket of screws shortly after light comes up, there is no issues with pressure. My light is on daily for last 5 years, or possibly even more, so long I can remember it even
ABS EBTCM EBCM module repair for Cadillac Catera | eBay
The EBTCM is not connected to the hydraulic lines of the brake system, so you can still drive your car while it is out for repair; you just won't have ABS functionality (which you don't anyway if your module is broken).
www.ebay.com
Here is one place to fix abs module, but just let your buddy verify they can do it. Much cheaper than to replace it, they are prety expensive if new, and old one might have the same issue. He doesnt need to send entire pump, just electric part of it, there are torx screws to separate it, but entire pump should be removed first. Somewhat hard to reach side nuts to remove it and power steering reservoir should be detached from the bracket, and brake lines off the module, not hard to do but some patience is required. I don't remove steel heat shield, I just pry it away, after nut is removed, saves some time to remove extra parts in hard to reach area. Best of luck 👍
ABS EBTCM EBCM module repair for Cadillac Catera | eBay
The EBTCM is not connected to the hydraulic lines of the brake system, so you can still drive your car while it is out for repair; you just won't have ABS functionality (which you don't anyway if your module is broken).www.ebay.com
Here is one place to fix abs module, but just let your buddy verify they can do it. Much cheaper than to replace it, they are prety expensive if new, and old one might have the same issue. He doesnt need to send entire pump, just electric part of it, there are torx screws to separate it, but entire pump should be removed first. Somewhat hard to reach side nuts to remove it and power steering reservoir should be detached from the bracket, and brake lines off the module, not hard to do but some patience is required. I don't remove steel heat shield, I just pry it away, after nut is removed, saves some time to remove extra parts in hard to reach area. Best of luck 👍
Globuslive thank you so much for the link. Hubby may well use it if he decides to repair the ABS module. He is familiar with some of the other things you mentioned. Your posts are very helpful as he either suspected or actually ran into these issues. 5 Catera's! I am intrigued. You must enjoy the challenges this car presents or you are a glutton for punishment 😊. You definitely are a wealth of knowledge if you've owned 5. Thank you for taking the time to help us. If you think of anything else that you believe would be helpful, please let us know. Have a wonderful day.
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
