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Cadillac Repair/2001 caddy deville overheating

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Expert: - 12/4/2009


Question
I have experienced some nerve wrecking overheating problems recently. I had the thermostat and radiator replaced. And it ran fine for awhile with just the temp guage going 1 level above normal frequently but dropping back down to normal after driving. Now it stumbles at idle and lobes like it has a huge cam in it. it also runs all the way hot every couple of days but then runs normal after cooling. Besides  
guage still goes up and down below normal aswell as above normal I'm frustrated please advise

Answer
Hello Tim,

Your description of the problem is very concerning and I would recommend taking the car to a Service center (Not a dealer) with a tech II scanner.

You may be having a computer or related component failing causing the running problem.

I just answered another person on the North Star engine. Not trying to scare you, but these engines dare not run hot. These are not like the old Chevys where you could peg the guage and do no damage.

When overheated, the north star is known for blowing head gaskets and other internal mechanical problems. Get the car looked at by a qualified technician and hopefully there is not damage that you did not figure on.

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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