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Cadillac computer system issue

Jim Schue

By Jim Schue
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Jim Schue

Jim Schue

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I've been driving a 98 Caddy Deville Concours that belongs to my father. Today, out of the blue, on the trip from Bardstown up north, the "Service Air Bag" indicator came on, followed by the anti-theft warning (car may not restart). Happened for about the past 12 miles or so of the trip.

 

After that, I couldn't turn the bright lights on, the stereo and heater went off then came back on. Every couple minutes all the light indicators behind the transmission indicator (whether you are in P, R, N, D, 3, 2, 1) all start blinking on and off a few times.

 

Would drive fine for a couple minutes, then the "Service Air Bag" indicator would pop up again, and the stereo and heat would go off and come back on.

 

Any idea how to disable this warning? It seems like it is causing the rest of the computer system to go haywire. It did this once about a week and a half ago, but not since then. Dad seems to think disconnecting it from the battery should reset it all, but I'm not so sure. If the air bag has gone bad, it'll just keep on happening.

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plantmanky

plantmanky

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need to reset the system.

 

You can do the disconnect the batter thing, just make sure its disconnected for 30 minutes at least.

 

or you can try the reset program.

 

1. Turn the key to the on postion (do not start it.) leave in that position for ten minutes, turn off

 

2. repeat this step 2 more times. on the 3rd attempted after 10 minutes start the car.

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punttheball

punttheball

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I've been driving a 98 Caddy Deville Concours that belongs to my father. Today, out of the blue, on the trip from Bardstown up north, the "Service Air Bag" indicator came on, followed by the anti-theft warning (car may not restart). Happened for about the past 12 miles or so of the trip.

 

After that, I couldn't turn the bright lights on, the stereo and heater went off then came back on. Every couple minutes all the light indicators behind the transmission indicator (whether you are in P, R, N, D, 3, 2, 1) all start blinking on and off a few times.

 

Would drive fine for a couple minutes, then the "Service Air Bag" indicator would pop up again, and the stereo and heat would go off and come back on.

 

Any idea how to disable this warning? It seems like it is causing the rest of the computer system to go haywire. It did this once about a week and a half ago, but not since then. Dad seems to think disconnecting it from the battery should reset it all, but I'm not so sure. If the air bag has gone bad, it'll just keep on happening.

 

Google the year and model with a basic symptom or two. It takes some time but more than likely you will find some information that matches your symptoms. It is important to concentrate on your year and model.

This may sound crazy but this may be a case where your best bet is to go to a Cadillac dealer to have it diagnosed. They may only charge for 1 hour of labor and they have all of the technical support and experience working on your exact car. If you go to an independent shop you may pay for several hours for them to research and try several remedies that do not work.

BTW, without looking at the car it could be something as simple as a bad ground. And I seriously doubt that your airbag itself has gone bad.

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Jim Schue

Jim Schue

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Interesting info folks, and I thank you.

 

One other variable I neglected to mention: About a month and change ago, I had it into the shop after tearing up the water pump. Guy who worked on it reset the computer to make the "low coolant" warning go off. Could he have done something? Is it something I could call them about and they walk me through it over the phone?

 

Problem is I'm desperate and don't have any time to wait on a repair shop. I gotta head to NKU from Warsaw in the morning, and then from NKU back to Bardstown in the afternoon. I just don't want all those crazy lights and warnings going off on me while I'm driving 2+ hours.

 

Seems like the battery reset is best option.

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Bengal Maniac

Bengal Maniac

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I have a 2012 CTS. If all these fail and I'd try them and you are in NKY, call Thompson/McConnell Cadillac in Cincy. Ask for Russ in service. They are expensive but reliable and trustworthy. PM me if you go that route and I will give you my name to use as a reference for Russ. No special deals, but your car will get fixed. They always provide me a loaner, but I bought mine there. Russ may help with that, though.

 

Good luck!

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punttheball

punttheball

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Interesting info folks, and I thank you.

 

One other variable I neglected to mention: About a month and change ago, I had it into the shop after tearing up the water pump. Guy who worked on it reset the computer to make the "low coolant" warning go off. Could he have done something? Is it something I could call them about and they walk me through it over the phone?

 

Problem is I'm desperate and don't have any time to wait on a repair shop. I gotta head to NKU from Warsaw in the morning, and then from NKU back to Bardstown in the afternoon. I just don't want all those crazy lights and warnings going off on me while I'm driving 2+ hours.

 

Seems like the battery reset is best option.

 

Highly doubt this has anything to do with the waterpump repair unless they did not tighten a ground wire. Also , he could not have done anything wrong by clearing a trouble code.

Unplugging the battery may reset the computer but it will not solve the problem that is causing the messages. More than likely the problem will return.

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Jim Schue

Jim Schue

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Highly doubt this has anything to do with the waterpump repair unless they did not tighten a ground wire. Also , he could not have done anything wrong by clearing a trouble code.

Unplugging the battery may reset the computer but it will not solve the problem that is causing the messages. More than likely the problem will return.

 

Kinda what I figured. Would there be somebody in the Ft. Thomas-Highland Heights-Cold Spring tri-cities area I could drop in on real quick at around 4pm or so tomorrow?

 

Another weird variable I just recalled: It didn't happen until I dropped out of cruise control before exiting the interstate. Not sure what that means.

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mcpapa

mcpapa

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need to reset the system.

 

You can do the disconnect the batter thing, just make sure its disconnected for 30 minutes at least.

 

or you can try the reset program.

 

1. Turn the key to the on postion (do not start it.) leave in that position for ten minutes, turn off

 

2. repeat this step 2 more times. on the 3rd attempted after 10 minutes start the car.

 

This will evidently often solve a "check engine light problem".

 

We were coming back from Louisville and at the bottom of the Kentucky River hill on I64 there was a thump, tach went up about 500RPM and the little orange wrench light came on (Ford Fusion). Got home okay with some loss of throttle.

 

Found a discussion board the next morning that said "turn the key so all the idiot lights come on, leave it there for 30 seconds, then start". Worked like a charm.

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