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Cadillac Repair/Dash, Radio, HVAC, Shifter lights out
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Question
I have a 1997 Seville SLS and the backlighting went out on the whole analog speedometer, radio/hvac and console shifter. It was acting like there was a short for a while but now it is totally out your help would be greatly appreciated
Hello,
It sounds like possibly you have a bad ground or a connection problem.
Many people understand what is so commonly known as a sort. If this was working, then not working, working and then out, that is consistent with only two things. A bad connection in the circuit or most likely a bade ground. Much of this car is made of plastic, so everything needs separate ground wires.
I do not have a wiring diagram for your car, so I can only speak in general terms. The problems can be many different areas, but checking as many black wires under the dash screwed into steel for tightness, would be my first thought.
I would also remove the bolt on the junction box under the driver's dash (7/16 or 11mm-same size)by the kick panel and check the terminals. Possibly add die electric grease to the connections and put the box together.
Once you find the problem, you will find the repair simple. It's just finding it that can be a challenge.
You may want to obtain service manuals for this car, which could run you a couple a hundred of bucks or you can do what I do. I go to http://www.alldata.com and pay the $25 or $30 bucks membership is. Scroll the chart and download your exact vehicle. You get everything the factory put out for the car. Its quite amazing!
I don't get a dime for plugging this site. This is where I go to repair my own vehicles or to determine how to defeat the unstealable transponder systems-lol
Good luck!
If my answer assisted you any, please rate it.
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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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