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Plea for ideas - Engine R&R now Electrical Probs


chevyorange

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Ok, my worst nightmare has come true.

I drove my car down to my shop with the engine overheating. Every other system was working 100%, just overheating engine.

After diagnosing a small crack in the head as well as head gasket failure I decided since the engine had the oil leak to go ahead and have the engine rebuilt, as the cost of the heads being fixed were nearing that very same expense in labor.

Now, after the engine is back, rebuilt, running (well!), every system on the car is lit up like a christmas tree. The ABS (orange) light is on the dash, Traction Control Off and Service Ride Control messages scrolling along the bottom. These were all 100% before dropping off.

It is now at the Caddy dealership after the mechanic has checked things for grounded wires, missing parts, etc.

The Caddy dealership wants to sell an $1100 ABS unit upon initial inspection. My gut and experience tell me that I dropped this car off with everything working and the chances of the ABS failing while the engine was out are slim/none. I do know that all the systems that are lit up are intertwined so whatever is causing the problem will probably remedy the rest of the issues.

Should I just let the dealership put the ABS unit on? I was given the option for them to "look into it further" as if they weren't 100% sure of their analysis.

Before all of this, I was in the green money wise, easily able to handle the engine R&R but I'm quickly run to redline here. I have a good relationship with the owner of the shop but this problem that has "suddenly come on" apparently is going to be left at my feet.

His idea on why it might be my fault that the ABS unit failed AFTER I dropped it off was engine heat under the hood from the engine overheating destroying it.

HELP. I do not think this is my fault, but I am also not the type to shrik responsibility when it is squarely mine.

Adam

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I would be 100% certain all of the potential wiring harness / connector problems are eliminated before throwing an expensive part at the situation. Many, many connectors have to be opened to drop the engine cradle and front suspension.

You did not mention any DTCs. Has anyone pulled the codes?

Jim

Drive your car.

Use your cell phone.

CHOOSE ONE !

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Adam,

The dealer could be right. My ABS light showed up for the first time in 14 years whem I let the car idle for some 20 minutes last summer. The temps were between 212 and 230 for 20 minutes. Now every time the engine gets hot for some reason the ABS light is on. Perhaps heat affected somehow aged wiring in the engine compartment or something. There is a diagnostics procedure for ABS.

Nevertheless, it is most likely some connector problem overlooked during the installation.

The saddest thing in life is wasted talent

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Drive down a gravelroad and slam on the brakes. See if the ABS works.

The shop that did my head gasket told me right off the bat that I would probably find some elect. problem since they had to unplug a lot of stuff and there are always some that dont go back together right.

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No way, your logic is good, the odds of the ABS unit failing after you dropped the car off is slim. Is this a Caddy dealer? This is a huge job for someone not familiar with dropping the carriage and pulling the engine. I would press the diagnostic route first. Pull the codes for us, we can run them down and see if the systems are interrelated. If there is ONE ground left off, you could affect related systems. Mike

This should be easy to diagnose, get the codes

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No way, your logic is good, the odds of the ABS unit failing after you dropped the car off is slim. Is this a Caddy dealer? This is a huge job for someone not familiar with dropping the carriage and pulling the engine. I would press the diagnostic route first. Pull the codes for us, we can run them down and see if the systems are interrelated. If there is ONE ground left off, you could affect related systems. Mike

This should be easy to diagnose, get the codes

I am afraid there are no ABS related codes. There is a procedure where ABS light blinks or something depending on your input. But this is for 91 Seville.

The saddest thing in life is wasted talent

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QUOTE (Scotty @ Nov 10 2005, 11:47 PM)

No way, your logic is good, the odds of the ABS unit failing after you dropped the car off is slim. Is this a Caddy dealer? This is a huge job for someone not familiar with dropping the carriage and pulling the engine. I would press the diagnostic route first. Pull the codes for us, we can run them down and see if the systems are interrelated. If there is ONE ground left off, you could affect related systems. Mike

This should be easy to diagnose, get the codes 

I am afraid there are no ABS related codes. There is a procedure where ABS light blinks or something depending on your input. But this is for 91 Seville.

HUH?

here is a list of ABS related codes for a 94 STS,

Antilock Brake System (ABS) Codes

Code Description

T021 ................................................... RF Wheel Speed Sensor Fault

T022 ......................................... RF Wheel Speed Sensor Frequency Error

T023 ........................................ RF Wheel Speed Sensor Continuity Fault

T025 ................................................... LF Wheel Speed Sensor Fault

T026 ......................................... LF Wheel Speed Sensor Frequency Error

T027 ........................................ LF Wheel Speed Sensor Continuity Fault

T028 ............................................ Wheel Speed Sensor Frequency Error

T031 ................................................... RR Wheel Speed Sensor Fault

T032 ......................................... RR Wheel Speed Sensor Frequency Error

T033 ........................................ RR Wheel Speed Sensor Continuity Fault

T035 ................................................... LR Wheel Speed Sensor Fault

T036 ......................................... LR Wheel Speed Sensor Frequency Error

T037 ........................................ LR Wheel Speed Sensor Continuity Fault

T041 ................................................... RF ABS Valve Solenoid Fault

T044 ...................................................... RF TCS Pilot Valve Fault

T045 ................................................... LF ABS Valve Solenoid Fault

T048 ...................................................... LF TCS Pilot Valve Fault

T051 ................................................... RR ABS Valve Solenoid Fault

T055 ........................................... LR Valve Solenoid Valve Fault (TCS)

T055 ................................... Rear Valve Solenoid Valve Fault (Non - TCS)

T061 ...................................................... Motor Pump Circuit Fault

T063 ............................................................. Valve Relay Fault

T067 ...................................................... Brake Light Switch Fault

T071 .......................... Electronic Brake and TCS (EBTCM/EBCM) Internal Fault

T072 ........................................................ Serial Data Link Fault

T073 .......................... PCM - EBTCM/EBCM Pulse Width Modulation Signal Fault

T083 ......................................................... Brake Fluid Level Low

Matt

A good friend will come and bail you out of jail...BUT, a true friend will be sitting next to you saying, "darn...that was fun!"

www.madd.ca

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Thanks Matt. Wheel Speed Sensors left disconnected can cause problems with ABS. Maybe both sides are disconnected still.

Adallak, I guess what I am trying to say is this. If the ABS light is flashing we know the system is inoperative. What other systems are down? Sometimes a ground or a fusible link will control multiple systems. For instance on my 91, I burned out a fusible link that controlled my cooling fans, horn and AC compressor. I tend to think this is a ground however or a connector(s) that was left disconnected.

If we know what is not functioning we can trace it backward. Some of his codes may be related to speed sensors left disconnected at the wheels when the axles where pulled. A few speed sensors disconnected may flash your ABS light and the level controls will give you a service suspension, they had to screw with a lot of connectors at the hubs/wheels. Look for codes and systems not working.

My guess is that this is not a Cadillac dealer, this is a daunting task for someone not familiar with this job. I am not doubting his mechanical skills, its just a huge task, its easy to leave something disconnected.

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Scotty,

OBD I does not show all these codes. Sure, it makes diagnostics much easier. Hopefully the search will be narrowed to a couple of circuits which need attention.

The saddest thing in life is wasted talent

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how about they swap out the ABS unit for a new unit and guarantee that will fix the problem or you don't pay for the unit? tongue.gif

laugh.gif That is the way it SHOULD be, they would get a whole lot better at THINKING the problem through. It might be the problem, but for me? That 1) that it worked on the way in.... PLUS, 2) that there are multiple problems, makes me think that they have left plugs disconnected.

If we could just see the codes.

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