Cadillac Catera

If you have to crank and crank to get it started look for the coolant temperature sensor and change it. This is just one reason for hard start and is the most popular reason. Other reasons could be plugs, plug wires, coil pack, crank sensor, cam sensor and more.

yes its in trunk on the right

on the tranmission take off the big square pan

Take intake plenum out spacer block out fuel rail out (use oil on o rings to put it back) rear center top engine two bolts is your thermostat 3hr job for me

well not for how but cadillac cateras were only made from 1997 to 2001

not very, lots of quirky items with coolant loss via heater control valves or engine oil coolers. Nice cars though available at a great price.

Its on the side of the transmission right next to the oxygen sensor on the driver side near the front of the car

I just replaced the coil in my 97 catera . its a real pain as it is not very accessible. It is mounted on the back of the engine block between the firewall and the engine. I removed the wiring conduit that runs across the top of the plugs, then using an 8mm - 5 point socket to remove the 4 mounting bolts on the coil . They are hard to reach and you will have to feel your way through it. you may want to remove the spark plug wires first as it makes it easier to access. Then unplug the feed wire which is a plug in attached to the end of the coil. If you want to see what you are doing you can remove the wipers. Then remove the cowl that extends from the window to the firewall. It is not hard to do this and you will have a bit more room to swing a wrench.

it sets your transmission in winter mode, meaning you are taking off in a higher gear.

Have the problem that caused the check engine light to come on repaired. They will reset the light with an OBD2 scan tool. The light will just come back on if the problem is not repaired.

Check it when it is cold. If it smokes white smoke when you start it, you could have head gaskets leaking.

the pressure is still existant in the radiator..

Usually when the car leaks water when it is off it is because the water pump is weeping.... Starting to go out, you need to replace it

I have had a lot of experience with this one. The design of heater control valve is flawed. The valve snaps together and after a while the pressure in the coolant system will push the top up just enough to leak. As the inner spring gets weaker it leaks more. The replacement valve cost me less than $100 at Advance Auto and took about 2 hours to replace. The valve is located against the firewall on the passenger side of the car.

Don't know the circumstances for the question, but if the headlights were turned on manually and then won't turn off when the switch is turned to the left, the problem is with the switch. If you place a screwdriver about halfway down on the left side of the switch module (put a piece of cloth between the screwdriver and the instrument panel) and then gently pry out the switch module you will probably find that the metal clip on the right side is not right. I had the same problem with mine and I think the switch depends on those clips being positioned properly. If you look at them the clip pushes on a spring. I think that spring aids in the return of the switch. When reinserting the switch, take the side panel off first so that the connector can be held while the switch is inserted otherwise it probably won't connect. If you're not 'handy' find a mechanic. Here is more information from another FAQ Farmer: The headlights stay on due to the Twilight Sentinel Feature, Adjustable time delay just below the Headlight Switch. If they stay on until the battery dies, it is probably the Headlight Relays (2) Sticking. These Relays are located in the Fuse Box. The Dealers sell you both of them in one package right away. This makes it sound like it is a common problem. Both Relays are about $40.00. A quick way to get the lights to go out that I used was to hit the Knee Bolster Pad with a closed hand a few times right over the Fuse Box, the Vibration released the sticking Relay, Good Luck!

The head lights, radio, and eveything else works, but the car will not start. I checked the starter and it was good. The battery is good, but whatever it is causes the battery to have a low charge. Could it be the alternator

It's easy - there should be some instructions in the user manual, but if you lost it then just do this: The passenger's side is easier to change than the driver's side because the battery is in the way on the driver's side. If you are changing the driver's side for the first time, check the passenger side to see it clearly then do the driver's side. 1. Remove the cover - a quarter turn with a flat-head screwdriver should do it. 2. Remove the rubber booty that covers the light and wire. 3. Disconnect the wire. There should be only one. 4. Squeeze the metal clips that hold the light in, and gently move them down away from the lightbulb. 5. Pull the lightbulb out. Reverse to add the new one.

Rita Cadillac died in 1995.

Go to a mechanic as soon as possible. The timing chain may be going bad. If it breaks you will be replacing an engine, although Cadillac has an open recall on the timing chain on these cars and will replace it at no cost or little cost to you.

Oh man! 'You' CANNOT change the tranny fluid unless you have a special mechanic's tool and it most be put up on a lift to do so! The cadillac catera has what is called a SEALED TRANSMISSION ofcourse so you have to take it to a shop. My grandson just bought a used one and we just wanted to check the fluid level and had to take it in for even that!! God Bless, grandmom in N.J.

Your 3.0 L - V6 engine has a timing BELT

The AC compressor is located on the bottom of the engine on drivers side . Look on the label on the radiator cross member for the serpentine belt and shows you where the compressor is ..

Behind the passenger rear axle by the fuel tank very easy fix

timing alignment marks used to install the timing belt correctly

but what is the tension/torch?

Heater hose or heater core.

there should be two hole near the bottom of dipstick if the oil is at the top of the second hole from the bottom its full if its at the bottom hole its a quart low

Your oil pressure sending unit is bad or the oil pump is bad. I would check the sending unit first

Front rotors are warped and need to be replaced. Could be an out of round disc brake rotor