eldorado98 Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 My '98 Eldorado came up with a Service Engine Soon light back in May of this year. Code was P0446 EVAP vent etc. Well my mechanic said it was because my exhaust system was bad. Replaced that at $700+. Light back on so he replaced the Solenoid Vent Valve. Another $200. Light back on so he says the Fuel Filler Pipe was rusted out but he couldn't get the part because GM stopped making it. I got the part from Arizona online for $125. He installed it for a price. All this time he says he is using his computer to track the problem. I SAID GOODBYE TO THIS GUY. Went to another mechanic who had a good reputation in town. Using his computer he came up with three codes. He replaced the EGR, replaced the #3 02 sensor, found a couple of leaks in the EVAP lines and fixed them. Light came back on. He now says the FTP Sensor is bad and needs to be replaced which means dropping the fuel tank. He is going to do that today/tomorrow. $$$$$$$$$$ I'm really bugged because first of all the EVAP has nothing to do with the performance of the car (I don't think). I know it is a Clean Air issue. Wouldn't you think someone could develop a computer that would identify the problem and not just do a hit or miss which so far is costing me pretty close to $2000. Yes, I know the exhaust and filler pipe had to be replaced but I would like to have done this stuff a little at a time and not try to play beat the clock with the NY State Inspection. OK THIS IS MY FIRST POST. I'M DONE BITCHIN AND WILL GET ON WITH GOOD QUESTIONS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackc Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Wouldn't you think someone could develop a computer that would identify the problem and not just do a hit or miss which so far is costing me pretty close to $2000. Welcome to the board! Unfortunately, your car is getting to the age where compound problems will be a fact of life. The fact that its a northern car won't help either. Don't know about a computer that'll help, but there's a darn good set of books - the Factory Service Manuals - that'll walk you through any diagnosis that needs to be made. Those and the help of alot of good folks here will be the ticket to making the best decisions you can when repair time comes. There are times when our older Cadillacs aren't for the faint of heart, but most of us seem to agree that that the costs - in both brain power and money - are worth the rewards. Welcome to the adventure............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted September 9, 2008 Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 Pardon me, but this code P0446 EVAP Vent Solenoid Valve Control System is, as you might imagine, is an EVAP system code, and has absolutely nothing to do with the exhaust system. The EVAP system is designed to vent the fuel tank through a canister of activated charcoal and feed the gas back into the intake manifold when the car is cruising at 45 mph or above. The code probably means that a plug was pulled of the EVAP control solenoid, or possibly a sticking or bad solenoid. You should read the codes yourself and research the problem before you go to a mechanic; knowledge is power. Here's how to get the codes: http://www.caddyinfo.com/readingcodes.html At this point, I advise you to get your codes, write them down, and post them here. The codes will be of the form PCM P0446 Current TCS C1236 History The letter followed by four numbers is the most important, as you know. Also important is whether the code is History or Current. A Current code is one that indicates that something has failed since the car was last started, so to get these check the codes after driving the car but before shutting off the engine. The three letters preceding the code tell which module detected the problem but the code itself will nearly always tell us that. -- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data -- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldorado98 Posted September 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 I bought my '98 exactly two years ago for $6500. With all repairs, mostly expected...brakes, exhaust, etc. I am up to $10350.00. Considering how much I love this car I guess that's not at all bad. The body and interior are in A-1 condition. If I could afford a Porche or other fast little two seater I would get it but.............. This is my 2nd Eldo. The first was a '94 which had serious rust problems so I traded it for the '98. I have to say the '94 was a much better riding car than the '98. Let's face it YES I AM HOOKED ON CADDIES. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldorado98 Posted September 9, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 9, 2008 By the way Jim, the only code I have is P0446 which has been going on since May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Do some searching. GM recalled some FTP sensors, but I'm not sure what years where included. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cadillac Jim Posted September 10, 2008 Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 By the way Jim, the only code I have is P0446 which has been going on since May.I gave two codes to show examples of Current and History codes. I picked the second one as an example because it's a low voltage code, and if you see one of those, you ignore it and all other codes until you have the battery and battery cable fixed. If you have a P0446 Current, you should check the wiring to the EVAP solenoid and the connector on it. If that doesn't do it, changing the EVAP solenoid isn't a big deal. -- Click Here for CaddyInfo page on "How To" Read Your OBD Codes-- Click Here for my personal page to download my OBD code list as an Excel file, plus other Cadillac data -- See my CaddyInfo car blogs: 2011 CTS-V, 1997 ETC Yes, I was Jims_97_ETC before I changed cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldorado98 Posted September 10, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 10, 2008 Problem/Mystery solved after much headache, dollars, ets. MICE MICE MICE. My mechanic dropped the gas tank to replace the FTP sensor and found a nice old mouse nest. Worse yet he found chewed up and a partially missing wire for the sensor. Just picked up something called Rampage all weather Bait Chunx which I will now put under the hood, in the trunk, and in the door wells. With that done, I now have my State Inspection and no Service Engine light. Thanks for your advice and NOW EVERYONE CHECK THEIR CARS FOR MICE. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ranger Posted September 11, 2008 Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 This sounds very familiar. Is this Mitch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eldorado98 Posted September 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted September 11, 2008 This sounds very familiar. Is this Mitch? Hey Ranger. What are you doing here?? I figured two great minds are better than one so I joined this forum to get a few more ideas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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