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Cadillac Catera Maintenance & Repair

1431 messages,  Last post on Mar 20, 2013 at 11:45 PM

You are in the Cadillac Catera Forum.

What is this discussion about? Cadillac Catera, Auto Repair, Sedan

Messages Page 59 of 144

#578 of 1431 97 Catera AC Problem by hicksjmu

Jun 06, 2008 (7:03 am)

My 1997 Cadillac Catera doesn't blow cold air anymore. The fan still works though.
 
I took it into a Cadillac Service Center (in Chantilly, VA) and they told me that I had ZERO freeon in the car (obviously) and that there is a major leak around the Evaporator core and possible around the AC compressor. Bottom line, to fix/replace everything its going to run about $3,500.
They gave me an alternative option to Evacuate and Recharge the system instead of the new parts which would run about $410, but there is no guarantee this will work & last (it could last for 1week - 1+ year).
 
My questions are:
1) Has anyone had any success with an AC Evacuate and Recharge?
2) Is it possible that the Cadillac dealer is just vastly over charging me? I'd spend up $1,000 to get my AC working again but not much more.
2b) If the aforementioned problems are legit, can I trust local auto shop or car AC specialist to get it running again? If so, any suggestions on where to take it?
 
Please advise if you have had any experience with this type of issue. So far I've had good luck with my Catera, but there is no way I'm going to put $1,000+ into it just for AC, on the other hand, I'm not ready to give it up yet (it has <60,000 miles!). THANKS!

#579 of 1431 97 Catera AC Problem by bradcad

Jun 06, 2008 (8:33 am)

I have a 2000 Catera and just recently had the A/C serviced due to only warm air blowing. They found the freon level to be too low... recharged the system... works fine now. They worked hard to find the small leak... but they finally did. Fortunately, I bought an extended warranty that covered the expense.
As for me... I wouldnt personally trust ANY dealership unless they are willing to put the work and expected results in WRITING. I think they always overcharge... they make a lot of money in the service department. It sounds like you definately have a leak that would waste your $$ on the evaculate/recharge... but that's just my opinion. An evacuate/recharge is typically done when it's suspected that moisture has gotten into the system and it must be pulled out and then replaced with fresh dry freon.
You might consider getting a second and third opinion at a local A/C shop that's been in business for a long time... perhaps they are fairly honest and reputable.
Good luck with your A/C work... it stinks not having that working.
Brad Cad 2000

#580 of 1431 Re: 97 Catera AC Problem [hicksjmu] by iafarmboy

Jun 06, 2008 (12:39 pm)

Replying to: hicksjmu (Jun 06, 2008 7:03 am)
Lindsay in Alexandria put a new compressor on my Catera and recharged it for about $1100... A reliable third party offered the same service for 2500...

#581 of 1431 Re: 97 Catera AC Problem [bradcad] by calicago

Jun 06, 2008 (5:05 pm)

Replying to: bradcad (Jun 06, 2008 8:33 am)
Go to your local parts store and get the stopleak recharge kit easy to do save lot of$$$$$$$$$$$

#583 of 1431 rough rider catera by richter1

Jun 10, 2008 (10:58 am)

Thanks Calicago for your reply. Where would I find the crank sensor. I am assuming it is by the Tranny. Also I find that when I get past about 1500 to 2 Grand rpms It feels like it starts to smooth out. Could that still be the crank sensor or coils packs Or anything else. this problem is so unpretciable. I can drive for an hour with no problems, stop, start back up in 10 minutes & it runs real rough & wants to keep stalling. Any other suggestions would be greatly helpful

#584 of 1431 Re: rough rider catera [richter1] by calicago

Jun 11, 2008 (8:10 am)

Replying to: richter1 (Jun 10, 2008 10:58 am)
Take your time when it comes to the perfomace of your car if it smooth out at 2000 rpms we might have just a tune up issue check plug gaps and do the test I told you about. You should be able to get a crank sensor for the dealer thats if you need it dothat frist and then we will talk good luck

#585 of 1431 Re: rough rider catera [richter1] by gnguru

Jun 11, 2008 (10:57 am)

Replying to: richter1 (Jun 10, 2008 10:58 am)
One extra point that calicago forgot to tell you = you will not find the Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor by the "tranny"... Check out my post #549 and it will give you a link to detailed instructions and pics on changing out the CKP and good luck..

#586 of 1431 98 Catera All types of problems by wondermom

Jun 14, 2008 (8:26 am)

I have had my used catera for only about 2 years now and while driving the motor goes completely dead and the radiator light is on what can be the problem?

#587 of 1431 98 Catera All types of problems by wondermom

Jun 14, 2008 (8:33 am)

It's me again I didn't get to list the rest of my catera problems earlier it also have a knocking noise and upon acceleration it seems as though it stalls and my check engine light is on. I love this car because it is spacious and have a lot of extras that I provided and the dealership as well and I dont want to get rid of it can someone please give me some feed back. I took it to the dealership and they claimed it would cost over $9,000 to fix and I only paid $3,500 so that was out of the question on my income.

Messages Page 59 of 144

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