OK, here's another one. I asked the Cadillac Specialist (who replaced my engine as I had no desire or room to do the job myself) about the convertor lockup solenoid that keeps bringing on my SES light.
I could clear it with my scan tool or with the dash button options to clear codes on the DIC readout on the dash. But he told me they designed that stupid thing to bring on the SES light at only like 3-5% slippage, and that's ridiculous.
I can watch the level of slippage mine is doing as I drive the car with my scan tool hooked up, and it's at about 19.5 - 21% slipping. He told me that many people drive them for years with no problems, as it really isn't a problem until they reach about 29 -30% slippage, then it can burn out your torque converter if the trans fluid isn't replaced often as it breaks down. So to keep an eye on it, checking it with my scan tool once in awhile.
I researched and read many people have driven them for years with no issues, yet some did end up having to get the transmission rebuilt, and anything Cadillac is in the several $1000's if you go to the Stealership..
If I clear the code, I can enjoy the dash free of the SES light for maybe a day or 2, but it comes back on. The bigger problem is some states like Arizona, they won't let you pass emissions with an SES light on, even though what's holding it on is not even an emissions items for how the car engine burns fuel. More of the idiocy of Government MORON's who nothing about cars, yet put laws in place making things difficult and costly to folks.
Clue is don't Clear ALL CODES, or you'll reset all your ISS DRIVE-ABILTY tests the car must have completed with an "OK" status, or the emissions station also won't let you pass. Learn how to cycle through the different code areas on your DIC, and clear ONLY the PCM codes which is where the converter solenoid code P0471 is at. I also have P0420 for catalytic (02 sensor) plugged or running too hot. But at least this won't clear your drive-ability tests.
Cadillac as I hear all luxury cars, are very expensive to maintain, Mercedes and BMW's etc are even worse. I'm going back to my 1986 Regal again soon. No more Window Regulators to go out, the old scissor mechanisms never fail and only need clean & lube every 20+ years.. I swear old cars are better, they may not get as good of mileage, but I bought a Cadillac for just under 6k that seemed really nice, I am now about 11-12K into this POS and what do they book for? yeah, they're all over CL for $2500 or less for flawless looking cars...and now I know why.... $6000 bucks can buy a lot of gas for my good older cars. I want a bumper sticker for them that says "OBD Nuthin !!"
OK, here's another one. I asked the Cadillac Specialist (who replaced my engine as I had no desire or room to do the job myself) about the convertor lockup solenoid that keeps bringing on my SES light.
I could clear it with my scan tool or with the dash button options to clear codes on the DIC readout on the dash. But he told me they designed that stupid thing to bring on the SES light at only like 3-5% slippage, and that's ridiculous.
I can watch the level of slippage mine is doing as I drive the car with my scan tool hooked up, and it's at about 19.5 - 21% slipping. He told me that many people drive them for years with no problems, as it really isn't a problem until they reach about 29 -30% slippage, then it can burn out your torque converter if the trans fluid isn't replaced often as it breaks down. So to keep an eye on it, checking it with my scan tool once in awhile.
I researched and read many people have driven them for years with no issues, yet some did end up having to get the transmission rebuilt, and anything Cadillac is in the several $1000's if you go to the Stealership..
If I clear the code, I can enjoy the dash free of the SES light for maybe a day or 2, but it comes back on. The bigger problem is some states like Arizona, they won't let you pass emissions with an SES light on, even though what's holding it on is not even an emissions items for how the car engine burns fuel. More of the idiocy of Government MORON's who nothing about cars, yet put laws in place making things difficult and costly to folks.
Clue is don't Clear ALL CODES, or you'll reset all your ISS DRIVE-ABILTY tests the car must have completed with an "OK" status, or the emissions station also won't let you pass. Learn how to cycle through the different code areas on your DIC, and clear ONLY the PCM codes which is where the converter solenoid code P0471 is at. I also have P0420 for catalytic (02 sensor) plugged or running too hot. But at least this won't clear your drive-ability tests.
Cadillac as I hear all luxury cars, are very expensive to maintain, Mercedes and BMW's etc are even worse. I'm going back to my 1986 Regal again soon. No more Window Regulators to go out, the old scissor mechanisms never fail and only need clean & lube every 20+ years.. I swear old cars are better, they may not get as good of mileage, but I bought a Cadillac for just under 6k that seemed really nice, I am now about 11-12K into this POS and what do they book for? yeah, they're all over CL for $2500 or less for flawless looking cars...and now I know why.... $6000 bucks can buy a lot of gas for my good older cars. I want a bumper sticker for them that says "OBD Nuthin !!"
- Russ W., Mesa, AZ, US