Newbie...01 deville ...pre purchase questions

1070 Views 8 Replies 7 Participants Last post by Kev, Nov 21, 2005

mikes

Discussion Starter · Nov 20, 2005 (Edited)

Hi all! Im new to this site and joined because Im considering the purchase of a 2001 deville....car has 86k for mileage & looks good, seems to run good but has the abs light on, the service engine soon light on and the traction control light is on, if I push the switch, nothing happens ....the other things I see/feel/smell is possibly a bad engine or trans mount(are these common to go bad?) sometimes when I gas it it seems to make a thud feeling....the other thing is a slight smell of antifreeze under the hood...I cant see it leaking on the ground but do smell it. My questions are, what could the lights on the dash be? What problems do these cars most normaly encounter?? What should I look for or be aware of before I buy it?? thanks for all the advice!!

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Ranger

· #2 · Nov 20, 2005

Enter the onboard diagnostics to retrieve the DTC's (diagnostic trouble codes). That will tell you (us) what tripped the SES light. From what you have said my guess would be maybe a wheel speed sensor. I am not sure exactly how to do it on an '01 Deville so I will defer to someone who does.

The "thud" sounds like it may be a bad motor mount.

The anitfreeze smell could be coming from anywhere. Water pump cover is a comon seepage point. The water pump on the Northstar is at the back of the engine (drivers side) driven by a seperate belt off the left bank intake camshaft.

One of the biggest things to watch for is that the coolant was changed per GM recommendations. Failure to do so can cause head gasket problems. An '01 is due for a change next year so no problem there.

Take it for a ride and nail it hard. If there are any mountains or big hills near you, drive up one and watch the tempurature. If it starts getting too hot, run away. Normal operating temp is about 210 give or take 10 deg (varies with different cars).

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mikes

Discussion Starter · #3 · Nov 20, 2005

Wow..thanks ranger....I will wait for someone to chime in on how to retrieve the trouble codes.....I can get this car around 8k so it may be a decent deal if all is well....

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JimD

· #4 · Nov 20, 2005

mikes said:
Wow..thanks ranger....I will wait for someone to chime in on how to retrieve the trouble codes.....I can get this car around 8k so it may be a decent deal if all is well....

Here is more code retrieval information than you wanted to know.... (too bad we can't upload .txt files)

*******************************************************
DTC display; 1998-2004 Seville and 2000-2005 Deville

Use the 3 switches located to the right of the Driver Information Center (DIC) to activate and respond to the OBD prompts on the DIC.

ON/OFF = YES
INFO RESET = NO
INFO DOWN or INFO UP = manual toggle

Ignition ON, acknowledge any warning messages; press ON/OFF and INFO UP together for 2 to 3 seconds. Everything in front of you lights up for 4 or 5 seconds, then you will see:

Display shows "ALL?"
Answering YES will display "ALL CODES?"
Answering YES will run automatic test sequence and display codes, if any. Systems and codes will scroll faster than I am able to read them and write them; not to worry.

"ALL CLEAR CODES?" will display at the end of the automatic test. If you are satisfied you have the information you need, answer YES to clear/erase all error codes.

Answering "ALL?" with INFO DOWN will toggle systems test manually in order.
Answering "ALL?" with INFO UP will toggle system test manually in reverse order.

Press INFO RESET to reset DIC to "ALL?" to start again.

Ignition OFF to exit.

SYSTEMS: (as of 1998)
ABS (Antilock Brake System)
AMP (Amplifier)
DDM (Door Driver Module)
DIM (Dash Integration Module)
IPC (Instrument Panel Cluster)
IPM (Instrument Panel Module)
IRC (Integrated Radio Module)
PCM (Powertrain Control Module)
RFA (Remote Function Actuation)
RIM (Rear Integration Module)
SDM (Sensing and Diagnostic Module) Includes airbag crash data. Under RF seat of Seville.
VTD (Vehicle Theft Deterrent)
MSM (Memory Seat Module)
TTM (Tilt/Telescoping Module)
RSS (Road Sensing Suspension)

last edited 12/27/04 jwd
********************************************************

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1998Deville

· #5 · Nov 21, 2005

Let us know how you make out, if it were me, I think I would keep looking. $8000 is VERY cheap for that year/mileage (just paid about $8500 for a sweet 98 Deville D'Elegance with 59k on it) I would be concerned about a bunch of codes on that year combined with the possible motor mount / coolant leak. Too many problems for an 01 with under 90k IMO. Just my 2cents. Sounds to me like it was either a flood car / total OR driven VERY hard. At least get a carfax for it.

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turbojimmy

· #6 · Nov 21, 2005

You'd think someone would at least clear the codes before putting a for sale sign on it. The fact that they didn't spend the money to clear the codes may mean there are major issues with it.

Rough running could be the crankshaft position sensors, which would also cause the SES light to turn on. A steering wheel position sensor will cause both the ABS and TRAC lights to come on. Both are common problems and relatively inexpensive to fix. Pulling the codes is the only way to know for sure.

The thud could be anything, but I'd be a motor mount like everyone else said.

Pull the codes and see whatchya got.

Jim

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Playdrv4me

· #7 · Nov 21, 2005

Id stay far away from that thing. Seems like more trouble than its worth to me. Im going to go ahead and agree on Flood or other major damage at some point in that cars past.

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mikes

Discussion Starter · #8 · Nov 21, 2005

hi guys, while I dont have the codes infront of me, the one that stopped me from buying the car was a trans code that would cost 2k to fix!!

Ouch!! thanks again for all the help!!

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Kev

· #9 · Nov 21, 2005

Mikes,
Don't give up on used Caddies, there are lots of great cars out there in decent shape for relatively cheap. I bought my 89 for $1,900 from a friend (it was her mother's who passed). It had 74,000 miles on it, a few minor dents and dings, a couple of interior defects but all around had been a beautiful reliable car for me. I've had it for just over a year and have since put over 25,000 trouble free, comfortable miles on it.
Keep looking buddy, I'm sure there is one out there with your name on it! :thumbsup:

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