1998 CADILLAC CATERA check engine light

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Engine Coolant Temperature
Warning Light
This light tells you that the
engine has overheated. If
this light comes on, you
should stop the vehicle and
turn the engine
off as soon
as possible.
A warning
chime should
also sound if
this light comes on.
Engine Coolant Temperature Gage
C gH
This gage shows the engine
coolant temperature.
If the
gage pointer moves into
the red area, the engine is
too hot!
As a check, the light should come on for a few seconds
when
you start the engine. In the section “Problems on
the Road,” this manual explains what to do. See “Engine
Overheating”
in the Index. This
reading means the same thing as the warning
light
-- the engine coolant has overheated. You should
stop the car and turn the engine off as soon as possible.
The section “Problems on the
Road” in this manual
explains what
to do. See “Engine Overheating” in
the Index.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Coolant Warning Light
This warning light should
come on while
you are
starting the engine. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
it repaired.
I I
Your vehicle is equipped with a low coolant level sensor
(switch and float) that is designed to detect when your
vehicle’s coolant level drops below the set
limit. If the
low coolant level sensor (under the coolant surge tank)
detects that the level drops while the engine is running,
the low coolant indicator will light and remain lit until
the ignition switch
is turned off. Check the coolant level
and add coolant as needed.
The light should turn off as
soon as the coolant level
is at its proper operating range.
Malfunction Indicator Lamp
(Check Engine Light)
CHECK
ENGINE
Your vehicle is equipped
with a computer which
monitors operation
of the
fuel, ignition and emission
control systems.
This system is called OBD
11 (On-Board
Diagnostics-Second Generation) and is intended to assure that emissions are
at acceptable levels for the life
of the vehicle, helping to produce a cleaner
environment. The CHECK
ENGINE light comes on to
indicate that there is a problem and service
is required.
Malfunctions often will be indicated by the system
before any problem
is apparent. This may prevent more
serious damage to your vehicle. This system
is also
designed to assist your service technician in correctly
diagnosing
any malfunction.
2-70
I

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
If you keep driving your vehicle with this light
on, after a while, your emission controls may not work as well, your fuel economy may not be as
good and your engine may not run as smoothly.
This could lead to costly repairs that may not be covered by your warranty.
If the Light Is Flashing
The following may prevent more serious damage to
your vehicle:
0 Reducing vehicle speed.
Avoiding hard accelerations.
Avoiding steep uphill grades.
0 If you are towing a trailer, reduce the amount of
cargo being hauled as
soon as it is possible.
This light should come on, as a check to show you it is
working, when the ignition is on and the engine
is not
running.
If the light doesn’t come on, have it repaired.
This light will also come
on during a malfunction in one
of two ways:
Light Flashing -- A misfire condition has been
detected.
A misfire increases vehicle emissions and
may damage the emission control system on your
vehicle. Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and service may be required.
Light On Steady -- An emission control system
malfunction has been detected on your vehicle.
Dealer or qualified service center diagnosis and
service may be required. If the light stops flashing and remains on steady,
see “If
the Light
Is On Steady” following.
If the light continues to flash, when it is safe to do
so,
stop the vehicle. Find a safe place to park your vehicle.
Turn the key off, wait at least
10 seconds and restart the
engine. If the light remains on steady, see
“If the Light
Is On Steady” following. If the light is still flashing,
follow the previous steps, and drive the vehicle to your
dealer or qualified service center for service.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light
off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel? As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel
line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install
the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off. Have
you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor
fuel quality will cause your
engine not to
run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine
is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of
the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If
none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
2-72
. .~ ~ -

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Oil Pressure LighUGage
The light and gage tell you if there could be a problem
with the engine oil pressure. When
the light
comes on and stays on, it means
that oil isn’t flowing through the engine properly.
You
could be low on oil and you might have some other
system problem.
The gage shows the engine
oil pressure in pounds per
square inch (psi). Canadian
vehicles show pressure in
kilopascals (Wa).
The oil light goes on when
you turn the key to ON or
START. It goes off once
you start the engine. That’s
a check to be sure the
light
works.
If it doesn’t come on, be sure to have it fixed so it will
be there to warn you if something goes wrong.
1 A CAUTION:
Don’t keep driving if the oil pressure is low. If
you do, your engine can become so hot that it
catches fire. You or others could be burned.
Check your oil as soon as possible and have your
vehicle serviced.
1 NOTICE:
Damage to your engine from neglected oil
problems can be costly and is not covered by
your warranty.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Check Oil Light
This light will come on for
a few seconds when the
ignition is turned on. If the
light doesn’t come on, have
it repaired.
If the light comes
on while starting and stays on for
about one minute or comes on while driving, the engine
oil level should be checked. Prior to checking the oil
level, be sure your vehicle has been shut
off for several
minutes and is
on a level surface. Check the oil level
and bring it to the proper level. See “Engine Oil” in
the Index.
Brake To Shift Light
Ill This light will come on to
remind you that you must
press the brake pedal to shift
out of PARK (P). BRAKE TO
SHIFT
Cruise Control Light
CRUISE
This light comes on
whenever you set your
vehicle’s cruise control.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Low Fuel Light
If the fuel level is low,
approximately two gallons
(7.57 L) of fuel remaining
in the fuel tank, a light will
come
on and stay on until
you add fuel.
It will also come on for a few seconds when
you first
turn on the ignition as a check to show it’s working. If
it
doesn’t come on then, have it fixed.
Automatic Transmission Warning Light
0
This light comes on briefly
when the ignition
is turned
on. If the light remains on
or lights up while driving,
there may be a fault in the
automatic transmission.
Have your vehicle serviced.
Leveling Indicator Light
LEVELING
This light comes on steady
when the rear load level in
your vehicle changes.
Do not drive your vehicle when this light is on. The rear
of your vehicle is too low and part of the body or the rear
axle may be damaged when driving over bumpy roads.
When the light goes out, leveling is complete.
This
procedure is automatic -- you don’t have to do anytlmng.
If the light comes on flashing, there may be a problem
with the leveling system. You should reduce your
vehicle speed and have your vehicle serviced soon.
Brake Pad Wear Indicator Light
This light comes on when
the brake pads
on your
vehicle have significantly
worn. The pads will have to
be replaced,
so have your
vehicle serviced soon.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine NOTICE:
Before you add any sound equipment to your
vehicle
-- like a tape player, CB radio, mobile
telephone or two-way radio
-- be sure you can
add what you want.
If you can, it’s very
important to do it properly. Added sound
equipment may interfere with the operation
of
your vehicle’s engine, radio or other systems, and
even damage them. Your vehicle’s systems may
also interfere with the operation
of sound
equipment that has been added improperly.
So, before adding sound equipment, check with
your dealer and be sure to check Federal rules
covering mobile radio and telephone units.
Care of Your Cassette Tape Player
A tape player that is not cleaned regularly can cause
reduced sound quality, ruined cassettes or a damaged
mechanism. Cassette tapes should be stored in their
cases away from contaminants, direct sunlight and
extreme heat. If they aren’t, they may not operate
properly or may cause failure of the tape player.
Your tape player should be cleaned regularly after every
50 hours of use. Your radio may display CLN or
CLEAN
TAPE to indicate that you have used your tape
player for
50 hours without resetting the tape clean
timer.
If this message appears on the display, your
cassette tape player needs to be cleaned. It will still play
tapes, but you should clean
it as soon as possible to
prevent damage to your tapes and player.
If you notice a
reduction in sound quality,
try a known good cassette to
see if it
is the tape or the tape player at fault. If this other
cassette has no improvement in sound quality, clean the
tape player.
The recommended cleaning method for your cassette
tape player is the use
of a scrubbing action,
non-abrasive cleaning cassette with pads which scrub
the tape head as the hubs of the cleaner cassette turn.
The recommended cleaning cassette is available through
your dealership
(GM Part No. 12344789).
3-28