Things the manual does not tell you!

[DJWerkz]

Greetings!

Thought I would start a topic that deals with issues that the full GM workshop manual does not tell you or explain well. Since owning my '99 STS (UK supplied RHD) I have come across a couple of things which for some time resulted in alot of head scratching and 'dunno mate' even from American car specialists.

I will deal with three issues but I am sure there will be more, feel free to add any tips you think could help other owners.

Gear knob removal:

The workshop manual is pretty much useless here in describing 'how' you remove the gear knob, plus there are tips online which are just totally incorrect. Some will say there is a release clip at the lower rear of the gear knob,...there isn't! Some will tell you that the gear knob is fixed to the metal rod and you have to strip the console down to find the release button which releases the rod complete with gear knob,...again thsi is false.

The way to remove it is to put it into neutral and with a very sharp jerking acting, pull the gear knob up quickly,...got that, a quick, sharp upwards jerking acting lol. I know it sounds rude but it's true.

Door panel removal:

The GM workshop manual does not explain how to remove the door panel fully. The fixings are as follows; there is one small self tapping screw on the lower edge of the door panel. Remove the plastic cover behind the door release lever where you will find fixing screws. But here's the one the manual seems to be very, very vague on, the padded door trim that is fitted behind the armrest/door handled is fitted with velcro behind the handle, just carefully prise up the padded trim from the bottom and you will see more door fixings behind this trim. Then all you need do is carefully prise of the panel around the edges.

UK alarm closure issues:

All cars built in RHD and sold in the UK had to have an additional alarm system fitted to comply with insurance requirements, these were suppled through Vauxhall (GM UK). These units fail with age which results in problems when locking the car from the remote fob. When you lock the car from the fob the lights will flash intermitenttly and will continue to do so until you unlock the car. Unwary onwers will lock the car then return to find they have a flat battery from the lights continuing to flash. A test is also to lock the car from the rear O/S passenger door lock switch, this will create the same problem. The only way to lock the car to avoid this is by using the door lock switch on either passenger or driver front doors. You can still use remote fob to unlock the car.

The remedy is not too bad, although when I originally invetsigated this I got responses from American car specialists and auto electricians that indicated the problem could not be fixed or that it was so expensive to resolve it was not worth doing.

The only way to cure this fault properly by people who know what they are doing is to take it to Bauer Millet in Manchester, they will quote you for two-hours labour to fix this which will deactivate the secondary faulty alarm and allow the owner to use the remote fob to lock and unlock the car, i.e. using the cars original US security system only.

That's it for now, I will probably add more later, but feel free to add to the list.

Regards,

Caddys-R-Us

[the gold2]

Hello, this is a great idea for a thread !!

I'll update with specifics soon, but the 1992 Eldorado and seville service manual has a discrepancy when identifying and labeling the hazard flasher unit and the turn signal unit in different sections of the manual.

The hazard flasher unit is actually the cylindrical looking item.

This thread is a good idea because often,if not purposefully, the details of certain operations are left out of the manual's sometimes simple remove or dismantle algorithms.

Cheers !!

[scott y]

Oh well, who looks at the manual for info...when there is caddyinfo.com!

[EDWEG]

For a 2004 DTS with over 111k miles now, recent stabilizer steering column change, new plugs, recent oil change etc., when the "Service Engine Soon" light stays on, the manual says primarily to check for fuel changes which could affect the light staying on. Having none, how do you get the light off without an expensive dealer probe?

[BodybyFisher]

For a 2004 DTS with over 111k miles now, recent stabilizer steering column change, new plugs, recent oil change etc., when the "Service Engine Soon" light stays on, the manual says primarily to check for fuel changes which could affect the light staying on. Having none, how do you get the light off without an expensive dealer probe?

What is a stabilizer steering column change? Do you mean stabilizer links?

What manual are you getting that advice out of? The owners manual?

To determine why the light is on, go to this link follow directions for your year and post any codes that you find here and we can help you

http://www.caddyinfo.com/readingcodes.html

[DJWerkz]

In my initial thread I mentioned that Bauer Millett in Manchester were the only ones who can fix the UK alarm fault, I would like to update the members that I am now in the posession of the procedure they use to rectify this fault. If any UK drivers would like to know the solution please just contact me privately, I am not willing to detail this information publically for obvious reasons.