Babydon Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Driving home from work on the hwy... A/C on travelling about 120 km/hr. Checked for DTC and the only current code was PCM P1860. Cleared the codes and shut her off and back on. Engine light gone... This morning I drive around the city, no engine light. Hit the HWY and everything seems fine, turned on my A/C, about five minutes later, the engine light pops back up. I should mention that I was starting to worry about an oil leak, nothing on my driveway, or where I leave my car parked, but my engine oil life is going down pretty fast and I changed my oil almost 2 months ago ( I commute alot BTW). Oil life at 64%, checked the dipstick today and it's under. I'm also using 10w-40 full synth, which is what a GM guy recommended for my car. (?) As far as the drive, she is still smooth, runs and starts beautifully. Any thoughts before I take her in to the dealer? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 P1860 - TCC PWM Solenoid Circuit Electrical Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Some discussion on this topic here TCC = Torque Converter Clutch, which is in the transmission. PWM = Pulse Width Modulation So, the error code is indicating that a relatively inexpensive electronic part (solenoid) needs repair inside an expensive place (your transmission). Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babydon Posted September 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Some discussion on this topic here TCC = Torque Converter Clutch, which is in the transmission. PWM = Pulse Width Modulation So, the error code is indicating that a relatively inexpensive electronic part (solenoid) needs repair inside an expensive place (your transmission). So...does that mean it's going to be expensive? And could that be the reason why my engine light came on? Thanks for the help! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 It means you have to proceed very cautiously and be a good consumer from here. There are tests to be run down a diagnostic tree to determine what to do next. If this is not something you can mechanic on yourself, you should look for a good dealer or a good transmission shop that is local to you and well recommended to diagnose and repair. I have put more diagnostics here from the shop manual that addresses this error code for your review. I suggest you practice repeating "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
adallak Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 I suggest you practice repeating "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." The saddest thing in life is wasted talent Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babydon Posted September 6, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." ..Got it! THANK YOU! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BodybyFisher Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." "No, I don't want a new transmission, and I don't want my transmission rebuilt. I want the shop manual diagnostic tree run, and if needed I just want the TCC PWM solenoid replaced." ..Got it! THANK YOU! Bye George, he's got it! Good advice Bruce.. Pre-1995 - DTC codes OBD1 >> 1996 and newer - DTC codes OBD2 >> https://www.obd-codes.com/trouble_codes/gm/obd_codes.htm How to check for codes Caddyinfo How To Technical Archive >> http://www.caddyinfo.com/wordpress/cadillac-how-to-faq/ Cadillac History & Specifications Year by Year http://www.motorera.com/cadillac/index.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce Nunnally Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 There is a time to say "I don't care WHAT it costs, I just want it fixed correctly and perfectly". That time is while it is still under warranty. After the warranty period is over, one has to be a smart consumer. I took my new-driver son to the oil change place for the first time. I have shown him how to change the oil, but he wanted to have it done /shrug. Before we arrived we practiced: "Look how dirty the air filter looks! Do you want us to change it?" no thank you. "Your Truck has some miles on it; we suggest you use high mileage oil which is more expensive but worth it!" no thank you. "We recommend a transmission/brake fluid/radiator flush every xx miles. Do you want us to get that done for you now?" no thank you. In his case, what I asked him to do was get the oil changed, then come home and repeat back any advice from the oil changers and I would consider what to do. In your case certainly it is harder, but you what you want to hear is that the mechanic you take the STS to does the diagnostic per the shop manual, and determines that the TCC PWM actually is the problem, then knows how to repair it. Since your car is not new, the transmission is not new also. The shop will want to give you a new/rebuilt transmission to be sure that you don't bring it back next week/month/quarter with some unrelated problem thinking that they caused it. You want to know what the estimate is for the part, for the labor, and you want to know if they can help you on the total cost because you don't want to spend as much as whatever they quote. It is useful to find out the hours they estimate, and the cost per hour. You want to be sure that they CHECK the car and don't simply throw parts at it, especially expensive parts like a rebuilt transmission, which is around $2,500. The diagnostic seems to branch so that it could be a wiring issue, could be the TCC PWM solenoid, could be the PCM. Obviously if you have a great mechanic you trust that makes it a lot easier. Bruce 2023 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing Follow me on: Twitter Instagram Youtube Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fivepointohman Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 There is a time to say "I don't care WHAT it costs, I just want it fixed correctly and perfectly". That time is while it is still under warranty. After the warranty period is over, one has to be a smart consumer. I took my new-driver son to the oil change place for the first time. I have shown him how to change the oil, but he wanted to have it done /shrug. Before we arrived we practiced: "Look how dirty the air filter looks! Do you want us to change it?" no thank you. "Your Truck has some miles on it; we suggest you use high mileage oil which is more expensive but worth it!" no thank you. "We recommend a transmission/brake fluid/radiator flush every xx miles. Do you want us to get that done for you now?" no thank you. In his case, what I asked him to do was get the oil changed, then come home and repeat back any advice from the oil changers and I would consider what to do. In your case certainly it is harder, but you what you want to hear is that the mechanic you take the STS to does the diagnostic per the shop manual, and determines that the TCC PWM actually is the problem, then knows how to repair it. Since your car is not new, the transmission is not new also. The shop will want to give you a new/rebuilt transmission to be sure that you don't bring it back next week/month/quarter with some unrelated problem thinking that they caused it. You want to know what the estimate is for the part, for the labor, and you want to know if they can help you on the total cost because you don't want to spend as much as whatever they quote. It is useful to find out the hours they estimate, and the cost per hour. You want to be sure that they CHECK the car and don't simply throw parts at it, especially expensive parts like a rebuilt transmission, which is around $2,500. The diagnostic seems to branch so that it could be a wiring issue, could be the TCC PWM solenoid, could be the PCM. Obviously if you have a great mechanic you trust that makes it a lot easier. Not for nothing, but I got that code today in my 96 seville.. all it was, was the connectoring going to the tranny needed to be reseated.. gone since then... check all your connectors.. Cadillac dropped the ball in the connector reliabilty dept. good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
winterset Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Cadillac dropped the ball in the connector reliabilty dept. good luck! I think 12 years is a pretty good run - especially given the conditions where this harness is located, and the miles this harness has driven, and the bumps, and all the.... I can go on and on. I'd say after 10 years, a car is pretty much anything goes. one needs to look under, and over the car and look for things that don't look right, or look like they may have potential issues in the future. I constantly moved wires, hoses, because they looked like they will rub & wear out. I frequently unplug things, clean, and spray with wd-40. I learned how to remove the connector & wireing from the plastic plug (with a safety pin), and clean it out with compressed air, and wd-40 also. I noticed on the connectors exposed to the elements, there is a rubber stopper at the end of the connector that needs to get cleaned/repositioned every so often too depending on the "pull" of the wires. a few months ago, I cleaned my wiper connector and it had dirt behind the stopper. After a little cleaning, it's good for another 12 years of trouble free service. Again - In my opinion, spray those connectors on the older cars with wd-40, to keep the water and dirt out. also, dielectric grease on the battery terminals keeps the terminals from corroding & powdering up at the contacts - another problematic issue on these older caddys. All the above tasks are pretty easy to perform, although I must mention that I can not remove the hard to reach plugs, or the plugs that move too many wires at one time that are taped together - theres too much risk disturbing these wires anyway (I just spray the outside connector). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Logan Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Certainly check the connector first. Local Cadillac offered just under $1000 to fix 1860. Naw, I'll fix it myself. All day job. Cradle with engine and trans has to drop about 10 inches to remove side cover of trans to get to TCC solenoid. Logan Diagnostic LLC www.airbagcrash.com www.ledfix.com www.ledfix.com/yukontaillightrepair.html www.ledfix.com/ledreplacements.html www.ledfix.com/j42385toolrental.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 6, 2008 Report Share Posted September 6, 2008 Before we arrived we practiced: "Look how dirty the air filter looks! Do you want us to change it?" no thank you. "Your Truck has some miles on it; we suggest you use high mileage oil which is more expensive but worth it!" no thank you. "We recommend a transmission/brake fluid/radiator flush every xx miles. Do you want us to get that done for you now?" no thank you. Bruce, don't forget the ever popular "engine flush". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chazglenn3 Posted January 11, 2009 Report Share Posted January 11, 2009 Is the connector accessible without dropping the cradle? Can I remove, clean and reseat the connector, say in my driveway? Charles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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