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Cadillac Catera

Cadillac Catera questions and answers

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Q: cadillac catera?
please oh please can any mechanic or someone who has worked on a cadillac catera tell me where is the alternaotr located on the car. is it under the engine?

A: The alternator is attached to the engine. It will have a wire attached that goes to the battery.

Q: How to Troubleshoot electrical problems on a 01' Cadillac Catera?
I have just currentyly purchased an 01' cadillac catera and its fuel door and the trunk do not open. I have changed the fuses and tested the buttons again and they still don't open and would like to know if anyone knows what other possibilities there might be causing the problem. Can anyone tell me how to go about in troubleshooting and eliminating the problem. ___ I have changed the fuse ___ Tested the buttons ___ On remote control there is a fuel door button and trunk and those dont work either NEED HELP ASAP Thank you !

A: find the wiring for those circuits and look for corrosion on the contacts and switches, if you cant reach, or find them spray the wire ends and all of the hinges with liquid wrench (in the GREEN can) this will clean the contacts and eat any corrosion and or salt contamination look for a loose or broken ground wire that goes thru another panel that may have become disconnected on the remote control you may have a system that was modified to include the security system, look behind the dash for loose and disconnected wires...good luck

Q: Why does my 02 Cadillac Catera blow out cold air on one side and hot on the other when the heat is on?
I have a 02 Cadillac Catera and it has the option to control heat and a/c on the driver and passenger side. For some reason when I have my heat on (let's just say the hottest temp on both sides), it will blow the hot air out on the passenger side, but it blows out very cold air on the driver side. Does anyone know what is wrong?

A: You have a temp door actuator problem. Sometimes a dealer can recalibrate them with a scan tool. If not it will have to be replaced. Here is how. Remove the console. . Remove the left floor air outlet. Remove the left air temperature actuator cover. Remove the left air temperature actuator screws. Disconnect the left air temperature actuator electrical connector. Disconnect the left air temperature actuator from the linkage. Remove the left air temperature actuator.

Q: How long does a 1998 Cadillac Catera engine last for?
1998 Cadillac Catera V6 Im thinking about buying a 1998 Cadillac Catera. It has 160,000 miles on it. The timing chain, and head gasket was changed at 155,000 miles. I just want to know how reliable these engines are? Also the price is 2300 dollars. Good or Bad

A: I'd say thats a pretty good price if the car is in good condition. I would highly reccommend having the car checked out by a mechanic before buying. The reason for this is with all the cadillac's i've ever experienced, the engine runs forever, but other things (shocks, alternators, belts, etc...) tend to go bad at high mileage, just like any other car but a cadillac usually costs quite a bit more to repair.

Q: Why did GM decided to discontinue the Cadillac Catera mascot and discontinue the car itself in 2001?
The Cadillac Catera is a car that was released by GM in late 1996, and has a red duck with a big yellow beak and big feet named Ziggy. Ziggy appeared in the Cadillac Catera ads and tv commericals from 1996-1999 with the phrase "The Cadillac That Zigs". GM discontinued Ziggy the Duck in their ads around 2000 after several modifications on the Cadillac Catera, and then discontiued the Catera in 2001. The Cadillac Catera was then replaced with the Cadillac CTS in 2003. Actually, the phrase Cadillac used in their Catera ads is called "The Caddy that Zigs". The Cadillac Catera has 200 horsepower V6 engine and is a rear-wheel drive car.

A: It lost money

Q: warning lights for a 1999 Cadillac Catera?
I have a warning light on in my Cadillac Catera and I don't have a owners manual to find out what it is. It a circle with 3 short lines on two sides a the circle ( if that makes any sense).

A: alien_sporez is right, it is the low braking pad light. You will need to have your brake pads and maybe rotors changed..

Q: Why GM didn't do their best on the cadillac catera? Basically why did it became a shity car?
I love the catera. On how it looks, shape, and so forth. So I had a 98. Not even a month it started to give problem. I would all ways found myself in the caddy dealership. It even got to the point I had common problem that most of the catera have, according to my research, I believe is gasket or the block is crack(something like that) which allow the engine oil leak into the coolant.

A: first the catera isnt even a gm vehicle they stole it from opel and put caddy emblems on it ya it a huge piece of crap everything about it

Q: How much could I sell my Cadillac Catera for?
It's a '99 model and is black on black. It's body is in excellent shape and has around 38,000 miles on it. I don't like it because it is a gas guzzler and is expensive to repair. I practically had my whole car repainted due some minor accidents (paint scratches only). It is practically fully loaded and it a sport edition. It doesn't have onstar, wood trim, or the back shade. It has everything else.

A: You should try Kelley Blue Book (KBB.com)

Q: How do I remove the stock radio from a 1997 cadillac catera?
I've got the upgraded system with a 12 disc changer in the trunk. I need actual step by step instructions and/or pics if possible. This is my project car and I'm working on this slowly. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

A: THIS IS AN EASY ONE..First park the Caddy in an unlit place at night .The thieves will gratefully remove your radio at no charge, avoiding you any unnessary work.Then come back for your instructions.In the mean time ,cruise at night. Hopefully you can find a 16 disc changer...good luck!

Q: how do I check the transmission fluid in a 1998 cadillac catera?
I need to know how to check it and where to add it if needed, thanks. This is a 1998 not a 2008 model, are you sure voice commands will work?

A: It has no dipstick. You have to pull out a check plug under the car, while it is running. If fluid comes out of the hole there is enough. The plug is a 10mm head and fine threads. If you need to add, there is a fill plug on top of the tranny it should be a RED plastic plug assessable from under hood. Get a LONG NARROW funnel.

Q: Fixing inoperative brake lights on a 1999 Cadillac Catera?
Neither of the brake lights work, the lights are good, so it's a computer issue. Anyone know how to fix this? And also, are the switches interchangeable?

A: check the fuses. also check the brake switch the switch at the brake pedal that turns the brake lights on when you hit the pedal. another possibility is the turn signal switch. they can short out sometimes and your brake circuit runs through there. not a computer issue also it could be the relay. look in your owners manual if you have it and look for the brake fuse and brake relay should be in the same fuse panel. to test the relay you can take another one usually the horn is a good one and switch them and then see if you get brake lights. that could be a good possibility if you don't have turn signals either

Q: How do I change 2001 cadillac catera brakes with ABS?
Do I need any special tools or do they have any special clips installed on them? I only see Two attaching Caliper Bolts for removal. And do I have to do the front and back pads since the indicator light has come on? or can I just do the front as they are worn more than the rear?

A: SAME AS REGULAR BRAKES,AND WHILE YOUR THERE CLEAN THE SENSOR END OFF WITH DRY RAG,IT WILL HAVE BRAKE DUST BUILD-UP AND METAL SHAVINGS ON IT!

Q: how do i know if my 1997 cadillac catera has a microchip in the key?
how can i check, or test it. what other security. how can i be sure

A: if your key has a small bump on it it has a chip on it,,that's plain and simple,,if its different from any other keys it has it,,,good luck.

Q: What's the going rate for an alternator replacement on a cadillac catera?
I think mine needs replaced and I have to go to a dealership to have it taken care of

A: the other guys are right on the cost at the dealership 300 bucks , and the parts store 170 bucks , BUT, what i do is open the phone book and find a company that only deals with alternators , generators and batteries, starters, take your alt. to them and those guys will rebuild your alt. for 45or 50 bucks , I've done this for years, but first test the alt. starte the car , then take the + wire off the battery if the car dies the alt. is bad, if it runs, your battery is going bad, all batteries only last for 5 maybe 6 or so years, if your battery is that old , get a new one today, and old battery will kill a good alt. good luck !

Q: I have an oil leak. Can an external oil leak come from a bad head gasket on my 99 cadillac catera?
I took my car car to the cadillac dealer with an oil leak, and they said it was the valve cover gaskets which i had fixed and it was about $1000. It did not fix the oil leak. I then took it back and then they said it was the head gasket and said it would be $3300.

A: Yes, they can leak externally as well as internally. Sounds a bit pricey for what you are describing.