[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

K...........I have just bought myself a 97 Catera in real good condition and at a steal of a price $600!!! I'm a total newbie to this car, i know ford escorts :yup: but i am however very mechanicly inclined, after three motor swaps in my escort, so i am totally up for learning!!

Well here's my issue with the car... It wont start :crying:

It will turn and turn and turn till the battery is dead but won't crank over. I won't however get the car in my possetion till thursday, but from what i have gathered from the previous owner the car is getting gas and spark. He in the last month has installed a brand new fuel pump, filter and the cps hoping that would work and it didn't. So he thinks it has something to do with the factory alarm system because the security light on the dash flashes constantly rather the key is in the ignition or not.

Iv done some searching and all i can mainly come up with is a few ways to try and reset the alarm system.

If anyone can please help me with some advise/info i would be very greatfull and i would be very much in your debt :worship:

I'm positive that the car will pass saftey so i just need to get it going now.

Thanks for your time!

 

[Matera97]

My best guess would be hooking up to a diag and see what codes are firing. If you end up not getting it to crank, I'll buy it off you, so its not a total loss.

Does your key have the plastic cover with the cadillac symbol? If it doesn't, you need a need a new key, the keys have a little chip that allows you to start the car. I think its like 250 for a new key + programming fee

 

[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

Thanks a lot for the info!!!

I got a hold of my buddys dad that works at the gm dealer and he thinks it's some power control modual that controls the alarm system but he says he'll scan it and tell me whats up so im gonna get it towed there first thing!

Also called my buddy that works at the local scrap yard and guess they have three catera's there so i told him what i might need and as long as i can find an ignition with key in one and that modual i got them both for 65$.

Does anyone know if a OBD2 code reader would work? My buddy has one witch he uses for his 02 sunfire.

 

[Matera97]

Wow good sourcing, where in Ontario are you located? I don't think the OBD2 will do any reprogramming, but should pick up any errors. To reprogram, a tech2 scanner is required I believe

 

[CaddyObsessed]

Use your buddy's OBD2 code reader and read the codes stored in the computer. Mine won't start without pushing on the gas pedal, but then idles fine. Mine has a Mass Air Sensor code that keeps coming up, but it drives OK, so I'm not worried about it. Start with the codes and go from there.

 

[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

Sorry for the late responses, things have been hectic lately and thanks alot for the reply's!
Well I have the car in my possestion now and figured out that it's not getting any fuel or spark. There is a new cps sensor and a new fuel pump and filter in the car as of a month ago. Checked to see if i could hear the fuel pump come on but nothing, so I pretty much think that the alarm or maybe ignition key might be my problem.

The car is going into GM today to get dieignosed so hopefully they find my problem without costing me it costing to much.

Has anyone here ever needed to get a new key programed or had to reprogram there existing key/alarm?

 

[MyOpel]

what scrapyard has the 3 cats?

 

[Matera97]

Thats what I wanna know lol

 

[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

I found out what was wrong after taking the car to GM for diagnostics. It was the ECU - it was fried. I got a new one from the yard and it is still in GM for programming.
As far as the Caterras go, there are 2 at Cambridge Auto Wreckers in Ontario.

 

[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

Well gm called me back..... They say that they programmed everything and that they can get the car running .....manualy? They say that they think fuel pump isn't working so the car won't stay running but that they got it to run and it runs good?

My question is how would they get it to run without the pump working?

They want $946+tax just for the pump then 3.5 hours labour at 120$ an hour, I think there just trying to screw me. I can get the pump used but working for $100 and just do the work myself if thats what it comes down to.

The perveious owner told me he had done the cps sensor three weeks before i bought it so i checked and he was right brand new! He also said he had done the fuel pump and filter and when i checked the filter is brand new... Kinda hard to check the pump but i take his word for it cause he thought that ethier of those would fix the car but they didin't.

So im getting the car tommrow from GM and back in the driveway to start trying to see what i can do.

Has anyone had any fuel issues before?

Can Anyone tell me what to look for or how to check myself?

 

[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

FINALLY!!!!!!:spin::spin::spin::spin::spin:

Well got the car back and in the drivway and like gm said no fuel pressure! Check to see if i could hear it come on and i could but no pressure up front, so i decided to go to the local wreakers and i pick a new pump up for 60$. Got back droped the tank and the main fuel line that sends the fuel to the motor was unplugged, and wires were spliced inside LOL!!!! So i dropped in the new one and she fired right up!!!!!! :spin::spin::spin::spin::spin:

 

[catera00]

and that was your first taste of what its like to own a Catera =P Good luck!

 

[Matera97]

Congradulations man, glad you were able to figure it out!

 

[libbysman]

Hello Folks:My 97 has the same afliction, so I changed the cps with no change. That's a beast to route. I bought a pump on eBay (Bosch), but am a little nervous to be fooling around with a gas tank at my apt. bldg. Should I ground it to something when I remove it from the car? The big worry I have is with having an errant spark send me to Alaska? Any suggestions? Regards, Brian

 

[Lov'n'Da'Catera]

Hey libbysman first i would check to make sure that you ecu is not fried as mine was. Have you boosted the car anytime latly? Well anyway turn your key to the on postion and check that your check engine light comes on, if not then thats your problem you have a fried ecu.

As far as the gas tank goes its actually really easy job. Four bolts underneith then she will drop down but be careful cause the filler neck comes with it so when dropping it down you have to twist the tank towards the front of the car before it will come right down.

I did mine in my driveway with the help of a buddy. I had just a little over 1/4 tank of gas, it was a heavy bi**h to get down but totally do able and only took me about 2 hours and it was all fixed and back together, and didn't lose a drip of gas.

Hope this helps and good luck!!