Repair-It

Congrats on finding a car. Looking forward to cramming myself into its tiny backseat!

Nice looking car. I like the white.

You're going to be a northstar expert.

kevm14 wrote:I think I have this.

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/tsb/data/pip3456b.pdf

Hoping a fluid and filter change fixes it.

I wonder if it has the updated trans calibration referenced here.

http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... w-mph.html

Oh I aimed the fogs up. That seemed to help a little. The low beams may be a bit too high...

I also tried the auto high beam dimming. You press a button on the rear view and it's on. It basically turns the high beams on any time it can and will dim for oncoming traffic. I didn't really test this.

I know what I forgot...fuel filter. I bet it is original.

On a short test drive tonight I noticed the automatic wipers work pretty much perfectly.

List of things:
- fuel filter
- trans filter
- Dexron VI...not sure how much yet.
- spark plugs
- front anti-roll bar bushings
- rear anti-roll bar bushings (need to check if the end links are bad)
- 2 TPMS sensors

Probably needs a coolant change. And I might think about diffs and transfer case fluid, too. And P/S fluid.

Down the road it may need engine mounts. And a torque converter. Maybe.

Keeping track of purchases...

Advance Auto:
- 2 wiper blades ($54, minus $10 rebate)
- Cabin air ($24)
- Engine air ($21.59)
Total: $106.56 w/ tax

RockAuto:
- AC Delco fuel filter ($16)
- AC Delco trans filter ($43)
- 8 AC Delco 41-986 double platinum spark plugs ($41)
- 2 Schrader TPMS sensors ($89.58 for both)
Total w/ shipping and discount: $193.69

There isn't much here that wouldn't be needed on some other used car, at least one that has cabin air and TPMS. Which is many cars. But yeah, up to $300 just for maintenance stuff and that doesn't even include the trans fluid itself.

kevm14 wrote:I think I have this.

http://www.cadillacfaq.com/faq/tsb/data/pip3456b.pdf

Hoping a fluid and filter change fixes it.

More info.
http://www.justanswer.com/cadillac/5al8 ... ation.html

How do you find out if this was already done?

Which? The TCM flash or like trans fluid service? I don't really know anything about either. It may have the update for all I know.
I do know there is no record of transmission fluid service in the Carfax. The TSB says to flush all old fluid out. I can't really do that easily so I'll just do the 5 quart spill and fill. Which is about half of the capacity.

Fun fact: I believe this car has a factory trans pan drain plug! So fancy. And I believe the filter kit may come with new drain and fill plugs. Don't worry, they make up for it with the terrible refill procedure, which involves working around hot exhaust pipes while the car is idling.

I believe the fill is a T-45 and I will need a get an actual hex drive bit and use a ratcheting wrench (or closed wrench) because there is no clearance.

I believe the drain plug is a T-47.

If I had a Tech 2 I could check the calculated transmission fluid life: http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums/ca ... st10883393

In the 04 CTS and SRX, you could actually get to this through the regular car menus. Then they took it away.