1994 STS - Thinking of buying
chevyorange
10-29-2004, 12:52 PM
I went and looked at a car, had minor trans/oil leak.. couldn't get the "Off+Heater" thing to work for codes with the key on or off.
Which heater button is it? I used the one next to the headlight switch. I also tried the one on the climate control after that didn't work.
When I did the off + heater by the headlight switch, it just made a dinging tone - nothing came up on the dash.
Standing in front of the car with the hood open, to the left against the firewall, there was a cable that was unplugged, I think it was black and orange with four ports - is that just an "extra" like GM leaves on a lot of cars or has someone hacked with the computer? That worried me too.
Finally, does anyone know if the garage door opener that goes above the mirror can be replaced? There is a hole there and it seems to be missing the module.
If I could read the codes, I'd be apt to buy this car.
Thanks,
Adam
Which heater button is it? I used the one next to the headlight switch. I also tried the one on the climate control after that didn't work.
When I did the off + heater by the headlight switch, it just made a dinging tone - nothing came up on the dash.
Standing in front of the car with the hood open, to the left against the firewall, there was a cable that was unplugged, I think it was black and orange with four ports - is that just an "extra" like GM leaves on a lot of cars or has someone hacked with the computer? That worried me too.
Finally, does anyone know if the garage door opener that goes above the mirror can be replaced? There is a hole there and it seems to be missing the module.
If I could read the codes, I'd be apt to buy this car.
Thanks,
Adam
chevyorange
11-01-2004, 09:04 PM
Well, I figured it out, just hold down the "off" button on the information center and the "warmer" button on the climate control. No codes were thrown so I'm now the proud owner of a 1994 STS.
Great car so far, I just hope I didn't buy a money pit.
Adam
Great car so far, I just hope I didn't buy a money pit.
Adam
will-20
01-14-2005, 08:14 AM
hey i just bought an sls an its junk so far really pretty junk but junk... i was just wondering how much you paid an how many miles it has i have recently found that northstars are known for there " oil leaks" an mine is going to cost me 17 hundred to fix ive already spent 9 to get new gaskets on the top part of the engine an im just wondering what you paid an how many miles an how bad is the oil leak
chevyorange
01-14-2005, 02:49 PM
1994 STS has 88k miles on it.... runs perfectly, the car is great. Paid $6k.
The oil leak is so small it JUST qualifies as a leak. Some has gotten on the Cat Con and I need to clean that, but under the car, you have to park it for a week to see one drop.
The oil leak is so small it JUST qualifies as a leak. Some has gotten on the Cat Con and I need to clean that, but under the car, you have to park it for a week to see one drop.
91rs
02-13-2005, 12:43 AM
such a beautiful car, too bad Cadillac didn't take the time to make it reliable. All I ever hear are horror stories about the need for repairs with these cars :2cents:
M.A.C
02-13-2005, 11:06 AM
hey i just bought an sls an its junk so far really pretty junk but junk... i was just wondering how much you paid an how many miles it has i have recently found that northstars are known for there " oil leaks" an mine is going to cost me 17 hundred to fix ive already spent 9 to get new gaskets on the top part of the engine an im just wondering what you paid an how many miles an how bad is the oil leak
Will,
The $1,700 that you referred is likely for half-case leak repair. Please be aware that a half-case seal will rarely leak to the point that the seal needs to be replaced. It may leak, but not enough to drip. I am a member of another site where a Cadillac engineer who goes by the name "bbobynski" recognized that while half-case seals leak, however, concern about it is blown out of proportion. When I bought my 94’ Eldorado I brought it to a Cadillac dealer which listed a number of problems, including a half-case leak and head gasket leak. To this day, I have not repaired either. The point is that engines will leak oil, however, whether to make expensive repairs is not always clear. I still drive around with the half-case leak and a so-called defective head-gasket without any major problems. My car has 175,000 miles and still runs like new.
If the head gasket is leaking sufficiently to replace then use your best judgment. In other words, even if the head gasket is leaking it doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Just drive the car. However, if you need to replace the head gasket you must Time-Sert the block or else you can be in for a big headache. (www.timesert.com.). If the block is not time-serted then the head bolts can pull out from the aluminum block. In a Northstar engine, once the heads are removed the block should be time-serted.
Also, sometimes leaks are caused by something else, such as the oil pan screws are loose or should be sealed. For example, if your SLS has a coat of oil on the oil pan you may be able to stop most or all of the leaking by simply removing the pan screws and using thread sealer such as Permatex thread sealant. In the worse case scenario, the pan gasket would need to be replaced. I have heard that sometimes the oil level indicator leaks at the electrical connection.
If I were you, I would pour some oil dye into the crankcase and check for myself where the oil is leaking from before spending $1,700. See below link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002T5H8Y/qid=1102961111/br=1-6/ref=br_lf_hi_6//002-5989445-7383254?v=glance&s=hi&n=3753001
Good Luck,
M.A.C
Will,
The $1,700 that you referred is likely for half-case leak repair. Please be aware that a half-case seal will rarely leak to the point that the seal needs to be replaced. It may leak, but not enough to drip. I am a member of another site where a Cadillac engineer who goes by the name "bbobynski" recognized that while half-case seals leak, however, concern about it is blown out of proportion. When I bought my 94’ Eldorado I brought it to a Cadillac dealer which listed a number of problems, including a half-case leak and head gasket leak. To this day, I have not repaired either. The point is that engines will leak oil, however, whether to make expensive repairs is not always clear. I still drive around with the half-case leak and a so-called defective head-gasket without any major problems. My car has 175,000 miles and still runs like new.
If the head gasket is leaking sufficiently to replace then use your best judgment. In other words, even if the head gasket is leaking it doesn’t mean it needs to be replaced. Just drive the car. However, if you need to replace the head gasket you must Time-Sert the block or else you can be in for a big headache. (www.timesert.com.). If the block is not time-serted then the head bolts can pull out from the aluminum block. In a Northstar engine, once the heads are removed the block should be time-serted.
Also, sometimes leaks are caused by something else, such as the oil pan screws are loose or should be sealed. For example, if your SLS has a coat of oil on the oil pan you may be able to stop most or all of the leaking by simply removing the pan screws and using thread sealer such as Permatex thread sealant. In the worse case scenario, the pan gasket would need to be replaced. I have heard that sometimes the oil level indicator leaks at the electrical connection.
If I were you, I would pour some oil dye into the crankcase and check for myself where the oil is leaking from before spending $1,700. See below link:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002T5H8Y/qid=1102961111/br=1-6/ref=br_lf_hi_6//002-5989445-7383254?v=glance&s=hi&n=3753001
Good Luck,
M.A.C
chevyorange
02-14-2005, 06:13 PM
1994 STS has 88k miles on it.... runs perfectly, the car is great. Paid $6k.
The oil leak is so small it JUST qualifies as a leak. Some has gotten on the Cat Con and I need to clean that, but under the car, you have to park it for a week to see one drop.
Car has been great otherwise.. and the leak is so minimal as not be there.
The oil leak is so small it JUST qualifies as a leak. Some has gotten on the Cat Con and I need to clean that, but under the car, you have to park it for a week to see one drop.
Car has been great otherwise.. and the leak is so minimal as not be there.
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