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Cadillac Repair/1990 cadillac deville wont run

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Expert: - 1/31/2009


Question
I took my caddy to the shop, cat was clogged, they said it wasnt the problem. They replaced the oxygen sensor gave it a tune up and ran for about a mile and lost power. They then told me the cat was clogged. Now the y said the next morning the car wont start unless you spray starting fluid in the throttle body. Then it runs until the starting fluid is used up. They said they have the right fuel pressure to the throttle body. They said theres no engine vaccum, what could be the problem?

Answer
Hi Steve,

Did you think of trying a different shop?

The vacuum leak you would need would have to be massive because the computer should pick up and compensate.

What are they doing using starter fluid on this thing? Are they nuts? They could blow a head off this 4.5! Never, Never, Never!!!!!!!!

Something does not sound right. From what you describe, it sounds like you, in fact are not getting fuel.

Without being at the car, I cannot accurately tell you what the problem is, but as I said, it sounds like a fuel starvation problem.

Good Luck!!!

Rob

Cadillac Repair

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Rob Painter

Expertise

Alarm system questions cannot be answered on this forum. These systems are not what I can answer. Without being physically at the vehicle and not knowing what kind of electrical service has been done on the vehicle, there is no possible way to give an accurate answer over the internet. My expertise is in Ignition/key based anti-theft systems. These issues include GM VATS (resistor chip in key blade) PASSLOCK (MRD)-ignition lock rotation based, no special ignition key and the PKIII Transponder (computer chip in key) systems. These systems are not alarm based and are integral with the starting of the engine. This is why I cannot diagnose alarm problems without physically looking at the vehicle: Alarm systems are a completely different annimal than ignition key/lock based anti-theft system. Many alarm questions come from vehicles 10 years old, and since older, many hands that had been involved over the years.I am an expert in all GM factory (ignition/key based)systems. Alarm system questions pose to many situations beyond my knowledge as to what has been done to the vehicle over the years. Some guy may have actually wired the stereo into the alarm system. Who knows? Over my past 30 years in vehicle wiring repair, I have seen unbelievable wiring disaters done by guys that consider themselves "mechanics." I have seen stereos and alarms intalled using surgical tape. I have seen modules burn up, un-fused circuits, wiring jambed between the doors and even lamp cord used for a starter kill. To answer alarm questions over the internet without examining the vehicle is like asking; What does it take to remove a dent?

Experience

Education/Credentials-ASE certified. 11 years with a GM dealer and 17 years with a repair facility dealing with only the repair of theft recovered vehicles.

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