GOD DAMN CPS! FIX ONE THING AND THERE GOES ANOTHER!

So I'm all excited, I got my brakes on and getting ready to get parts for my rear suspension. Yay, right? Wrong! So the day after I did my brakes, the car sputters and stalls after dropping my brother off at school. No problem, I wait a couple of seconds, and turn her on and she starts right up. Starts great for the remainder of the day. Go home go to bed, wake up today, start the car, cranks great but will not start. Unfortunately no code scanner, but from experiencing other peoples trials and tribulations I think I know what it is. I didn't have time to deal with the POS today but tomorrow morning I'm going to check fuel pump and fuel filter. Sparks should be good, so I've narrowed it down to those issues. Wish me luck!

Okay, so did a couple of little tricky things to find out what is going on. First, on the rear pass-side of the engine is the fuel intake, there is a little valve cap there, looks like a tire valve with a flathead groove on the top. Remove this insert a peice of wire or a tooth pick, if the fuel system is good, little bit o gas should shoot out. Second is checking spark, take spark hose off and insert screw driver, get some one to crank engine. If you get no spark, two options that it could be: Crankshaft Position Sensor or Camshaft position sensor. So I'm off to get a new CPS. Probably try to install this week. For anyone that has an issue getting your car to start, here is a link on the Cadillac forums which is a pretty clear and concise how to.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-catera-cimarron-forum/67854-98-catera-crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement.html

Update: Installed CPS today, rerouted near the p/s box. Plugged in the connector, and she fired right up. Problem solved. When I take the car in I may get it a more permanent route, but for now, all is good!

Thats a common on the older pre99s it seems like. ..but I am glad you fixed it...

Mine was having issues with idle after I had disconnected the battery for a few hours... easy fix... left the ignition on for 5min to get the ETB reset... and its good to go...

Matera97 wrote:Okay, so did a couple of little tricky things to find out what is going on. First, on the rear pass-side of the engine is the fuel intake, there is a little valve cap there, looks like a tire valve with a flathead groove on the top. Remove this insert a peice of wire or a tooth pick, if the fuel system is good, little bit o gas should shoot out. Second is checking spark, take spark hose off and insert screw driver, get some one to crank engine. If you get no spark, two options that it could be: Crankshaft Position Sensor or Camshaft position sensor. So I'm off to get a new CPS. Probably try to install this week. For anyone that has an issue getting your car to start, here is a link on the Cadillac forums which is a pretty clear and concise how to.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/cadillac-catera-cimarron-forum/67854-98-catera-crankshaft-position-sensor-replacement.html

Put a code reader on diag socket - if a code 19 there it is always for definite a fecked crank sensor!! Or use the cheapo code reader - a bent paperclip!!