This weekly Q&A session answers your questions about cars and trucks. This week explores a 1997 Cadillac Catera with no dash lights and a 1995 Mercury Mystique with a stalling problem.
Question: 1997 Cadillac Catera
Vince:
I love this car. Problems lately though. Last evening I found that my dash lights on the instrument panel were not working. I looked for a fuse but found nothing. What could cause this? I also recently had new air ride shocks put on this car but after a couple of days the leveling light keeps coming on an blinking and when I shut the car off it sounds like the unit that operates the air shocks keeps running. I was left with a dead battery. Is this a bad fuse or do you think it's something more. The shocks came from AC Delco and were compatible with this car as replacements for this Cadillac. It's been frustrating and is making me crazy! HELP...
Answer:
If you're referring to the instrument cluster illumination then there's not much you can do. It's a Cadillac so that means the wiring is 1200 times more complicated than it has to be. You're best bet is to let the Cadillac Dealer diagnose and repair it.
As for the shocks, the Automatic Level Control (ALC) system uses compressed air to adjust the ride height. If there is a leak in the lines leading to the rear shocks the air compressor will just keep running. Assuming, since the shocks are new, the shocks are good then there is a leak in one of the air lines somewhere. Perhaps one of the air line connections to the shock(s) popped off. What you can do for now is unplug the air compressor until the leak is found and repaired.
Question: 1995 Mercury Mystique 2.0
First off, I would like to make one thing clear; I did not purchase this 1995 Mercury Mystique 2.0 liter, it was inherited from my grandfather with only 45,000 miles three months ago when I got it. I am usually very handy with just about anything, especially cars. I completed the automotive technician program at my local community college several years ago, and although I have never worked professionally as a mechanic, I have worked on lots of cars, and I have always been a whiz at electrical and engine control problems.
My problem is that when it is below about 65 deg F in the morning and I start up the car; after the initial high RPM cycle the idle drops really low and usually stalls. The stalling can be avoided by feathering the throttle for 10 to 15 seconds while the engine begins to warm up, then the car will run great for the rest of the day. I have done some research and found a TSB that describes my exact problem and it recommends testing and changing the MAF sensor and the PCM, and gives part numbers for each. I recently tuned up the car (it's first), changed the O2 sensor, MAF sensor, cleaned the throttle body (it was already spotless), and changed all of the filters and fluids. This is an EEC-IV system and I don't have a scanner for it, but I did do an engine on diagnostics with an analog voltmeter and there are no set codes that have anything to do with the fuel delivery or air intake systems. I am stumped, and I don't want to continue blindly throwing money at it.
One thing I have not done is change the PCM as the TSB recommends. I am assuming the new PCM from Ford has altered fuel tables for cold operation. I can't help but think that this is a band-aid for some vacuum leak or sensor malfunction that is common in these cars. If you have any ideas, or have heard of this problem, please let me know what I can do to fix it or diagnose it.
Thank you,
Joseph Emerson
Answer:
There was a recall on the wiring harnesses on this vehicle. The insulation would break down causing any number of problems. So the first thing to do is call your Ford Dealer, give them the VIN and see if the recall was performed. If not then get it done.
That's all for this week. Feel free to browse the archives for past topics. And, as always, if you are stuck and need an immediate answer you can always call Vince on the phone.
