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1

Omega General Help / Serpentine Belt

« on: 24 September 2014, 00:00:14 »

My Catera has been sidelined while I worked on my Lincoln Mark VIII project. Today, I returned to the scene of the crime to install a new belt and chase the dark climate control gremlin. As usual, your well defined search and sound advice helped me find that #@&* torx nut keeping me from getting the new belt over the A/C and power steering pump. You have been the best source for these cars - hell, this is the most concise and sarcasm-free forum, as your Top Gear guys say - In The World. I appreciate everything, and want to add my thanks yet one more time for an excellent website. Too bad I cannot buy an Omega with a stick and Eco engine here. The Catera is a well balanced chassis that has been over taxed by the extra 5-600 lbs. that Cadillac added. Again, thank you all.

2

Omega Electrical and Audio Help / Cadillac climate control

« on: 30 May 2013, 18:46:39 »

You guys have been invaluable to me in my ongoing quest keeping my Catera on the road. When this car is completely operational, it is unbeatable for the driving combination. Key word here- operational. Gremlins are my co-pilots. Phantom sunroof, leaking gaskets, DIS failure, "lifetime" transmission fluid, etc.etc. But, at the price point of used cars, anyone who believes that trouble-free and low cost are hand in hand will want to buy my ocean front property in Arizona. Now, I have encountered something that intimidates even this Hudson Hornet owner - my climate control has gone dark. There was a faint smell of burning electrics, then gone. Everything associated with the radio and remote trunk and fuel door are working fine. No obvious fuse failure. I have collected the module with the electro-luminescent screen from a donor car, but it looks like the innards of my computer - not a climate control. What should I be cognizant of when heading into these repairs? Does the radio come out with the regular fork used for other DIN models? Can I keep the radio connected to avoid the theft mechanism? Has anyone ever had to do this repair? Regardless of whether this is successful, I want to, again, thank you all for being able to keep this low-mileage vehicle on the road (mostly) these past two years. It would have been much more difficult - if not impossible - without your tips and guidance.

3

Omega General Help / Climate Control Gone

« on: 30 April 2013, 05:38:02 »

Yesterday, I was driving and noticed a slight burning smell in the cabin. I immediately pulled off the road and disconnected the negative battery cable. Had AAA tow it home. Today, I re-connected the battery and after starting, found the climate control panel was completely blank - no reading at all. No function of any kind. I went through all the fuses in the under-dash panel and all under the hood and none blown anywhere. Is this a common failure? My car is 1997 Catera with 76k miles. I have babied this car for two years now, and thanks to your advice, have gotten it to the point where its reliable and reasonably economical to run. It seems to run fine even without heat or defrost. What have you done when faced with this problem? I can get another dash panel at the local pick and pull. Is this the way to go? Thank you in advance for your help and advice.

4

Omega General Help / Gratitude

« on: 01 October 2012, 01:54:41 »

I've been quick to ask and drive the forum nuts asking stupid questions, so a little diversity is in order. Despite my lack of experience with these cars, you folks have allowed me to be the proud owner of an immaculate 97 Catera. This morning I checked my last gas mileage and it computed to 27.7 mpg. I was about to give up on this car, but your kindness and patience have allowed me to enjoy the drive for at least one more year. Thank you very much. I'll probably be bitching again tomorrow, but tonight all is well and I tip my hat to my European betters. By the way, outstanding comeback in the Ryder Cup competition. Your niblick wielders are far superior to ours.

5

Omega General Help / Oil Cooler Change

« on: 03 September 2012, 02:22:32 »

I didn't listen properly to my betters when installing the new cam cover gaskets, so here I go again. This time, I intend to change the DIS and attempt to find a way to grommet the plug holes. While I have it down to the valley, how hard is it to re-locate the oil cooler to a more conventional place? Does anyone make a kit to facilitate the process? My car currently has just turned 70k miles and the previous owner garaged it even though she lived in San Diego, never used anything but Amsoil from stem to stern, has every available option and just looks and drives great - at least when running on all six cylinders. So, I think it is worth making everything right so I can have the expectation of 50,000 trouble free miles. Input from anyone greatly appreciated.

6

Omega General Help / 3.0 V6 Cadillac

« on: 30 August 2012, 19:34:45 »

I bought a beautiful Catera with only 56000 miles on it (90k km. to you metric folks). First 20k miles trouble free. Now, oil in the spark plug wells with resultant misfire. New gaskets installed and guess what? Still misfiring. My plug wires were replaced the weekend I got the car - I always replace all maintenance items when purchasing a used vehicle so I have a baseline. I have always used Mobil One and GM's Dexcool, for what its's worth. i am certain I repaired the cam covers appropriately - I followed this sites instructions implicitly. recommendations? Coil pack or spark control? Any input appreciated, as is this site. The American repair establishment has no clue on these cars, yet they're willing to spend my $100/hr. to play at being technicians. Help! P.S. My car is a 1997 model Catera, which they tell me is equivalent of an Omega