Electrical system CADILLAC CATERA 1998 1.G Owners Manual

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine I There is an air bag
readiness light on-the
instrument panel, which
shows the air bag symbol.
The system checks the
air bag electrical system for
malfunctions. The light tells you if there
is an electrical
problem. See “Air Bag Readiness Light” in
the Index
for more information.
How the Air Bag Systems Work
Where are the air bags?
The driver’s frontal air bag is in the middle of the
steering wheel.
1-30

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Trunk Trunk Release
A CAUTION:
It can be dangerous to drive with the trunk lid
open because carbon monoxide (CO) gas can
come into your vehicle. You can’t see or smell
CO. It can cause unconsciousness and even death.
If you must drive with the trunk lid open or if
electrical wiring or other cable connections must
pass through the seal between the body and the
trunk lid:
Make sure all other windows are shut.
Turn the fan on your heating or cooling
system to its highest speed with the setting
on
AUTO and the temperature between
65°F (18OC) and 85°F (29°C). That will
force outside
air into your vehicle. See
“Comfort Controls” in the Index.
0 If you have air outlets on or under the
instrument panel, open them all the way.
See “Engine Exhaust” in the Index.
To use this feature,
your vehicle must be in
PARK (P). Press the trunk
release button located on the
center console next to the
radio to open the trunk.
You can also press the trunk button on the remote
keyless entry transmitter to access the trunk
compartment. Your vehicle doesn’t have a trunk key
lock cylinder.
2-11

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Air Bag Readiness Light
There is an air bag readiness light on the instrument
panel, which shows the air bag symbol. The system
checks the air bag’s electrical system for malfunctions.
The light tells you if there is an electrical problem. The
system check includes the air bag sensors, the air bag
modules, the wiring and the diagnostic module. For
more information on the air bag system, see “Air Bag”
in the Index.
This light will come on
when you start your engine,
and
it will flash for a few
seconds. Then the light
should go out. This means
the system is ready.
If the air bag readiness light stays on after you start the
engine or comes on when you are driving, your air bag
system may not work properly. Have your vehicle
serviced right away.
The air bag readiness light should flash for
a few
seconds when you turn the ignition key to
ON. If the
light doesn’t come on then, have
it fixed so it will be
ready to warn you if there is a problem.
Charging System Indicator Light
El
When you turn the key
to START, this light will
come on briefly to show
that the generator and
battery charging systems are working.
If this light stays on, you need service and you should
take your vehicle to the dealer at once. To save the
battery until you get there, turn
off all accessories.
Brake System Warning Light
Your vehicle’s hydraulic brake system is divided into
two parts. If one part isn’t working, the other part can
still work and stop you. For good braking, though, you
need both parts working well.
If the warning light comes on, there is a brake problem.
Have your brake system inspected right away.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Voltmeter
I6h
VOLTS
You can read battery
voltage on the voltmeter. If
it reads less than
12 volts or
more than 16 volts while the
engine
is running, and it
stays there, you may have a
problem with the electrical
charging system.
Have it checked right away. Driving with
the voltmeter
reading in the lower warning zone could drain
or
damage the battery. Driving with the voltmeter reading
in the upper warning zone could cause bulbs to burn out
(especially headlamp bulbs), various vehicle modules to
shut down (due to overload protection) and the
possibility
of a battery acid leak.
If you idle the engine for a while, the voltmeter reading
might move into the red zone. If the reading
stays in the
red zone while
you are driving, you may have a problem
with the electrical charging system. Have it checked.
While the voltmeter reads in the red zone, the battery
may not be able to power certain electrical accessories,
like ABS. (If this happens, the ABS light will come on.
See “Anti-Lock Brakes System Warning Light” in
this section.)
If you must drive a short distance with the voltmeter
reading in a warning zone, turn off all the accessories,
including the comfort controls and the audio system.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine If the Light Is On Steady
You may be able to correct the emission system
malfunction by considering the following:
Did you recently put fuel into your vehicle?
If
so, reinstall the fuel cap, making sure to fully install
the cap. The diagnostic system can determine if the fuel
cap has been left
off or improperly installed. A loose or
missing fuel cap will allow fuel to evaporate into the
atmosphere.
A few driving trips with the cap properly
installed should turn the light
off.
Did you just drive through a deep puddle of water?
If
so, your electrical system may be wet. The condition
will usually be corrected when the electrical system
dries out.
A few driving trips should turn the light off.
Are you low on fuel? As your engine starts to run out of fuel, your engine may
not run as efficiently as designed since small amounts of
air are sucked into the fuel
line causing a misfire. The
system can detect this. Adding fuel should correct this
condition. Make sure to install
the fuel cap properly. It
will take a few driving trips to turn the light off. Have
you recently changed brands of fuel?
If
so, be sure to fuel your vehicle with quality fuel (see
“Fuel” in the Index). Poor
fuel quality will cause your
engine not to
run as efficiently as designed. You may
notice this as stalling after start-up, stalling when you
put the vehicle into gear, misfiring, hesitation on acceleration or stumbling on acceleration. (These
conditions may go away once the engine
is warmed up.)
This will be detected by the system and cause the light
to
turn on.
If you experience one or more of these conditions,
change the fuel brand you use. It will require at least one
full tank of
the proper fuel to turn the light off.
If
none of the above steps have made the light turn off,
have your dealer or qualified service center check the
vehicle. Your dealer has the proper test equipment and
diagnostic tools to
fix any mechanical or electrical
problems that may have developed.
2-72
. .~ ~ -

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Safety Chains
You should always attach chains between your vehicle
and your trailer. Cross the safety chains under the tongue
of the trailer
so that the tongue will not drop to the road
if it becomes separated from the hitch. Instructions
about safety chains may be provided by the hitch
manufacturer or by the trailer manufacturer. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendation for attaching safety
chains and do not attach them to the bumper. Always
leave just enough slack
so you can turn with your rig.
And, never allow safety chains to drag on the ground.
Trailer Brakes
Because your vehicle has anti-lock brakes, don’t try to
tap into the hydraulic brake system. If you do, both
brake systems won’t work well, or at
all.
Be sure to read and follow the instructions for the trailer
brakes
so you’ll be able to install, adjust and maintain
them properly.
Driving with a Trailer
Towing a trailer requires a certain amount of experience.
Before setting out for the open road, you’ll want to get to know your rig. Acquaint yourself with the feel
of
handling and braking with the added weight of the
trailer. And always keep in mind that the vehicle you
are driving is now a good deal longer and not nearly as
responsive as your vehicle is by itself.
Before you start, check the trailer hitch and platform
(and attachments), safety chains, electrical connector,
lamps, tires and mirror adjustment. If the trailer has
electric brakes, start your vehicle and trailer moving and
then apply the trailer brake controller by hand to be sure
the brakes
are working. This lets you check your
electrical connection at the same time.
During your trip, check occasionally to be sure that the
load is secure, and that the lamps and any trailer brakes
are still working.
Following Distance
Stay at least twice as far behind the vehicle ahead as you
would when driving your vehicle without a trailer.
This
can help you avoid situations that require heavy braking
and sudden turns.
4-34

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Jump Starting
If the battery has run down, you may want to use another vehicle and some jumper cables to start your
vehicle. Please follow the steps below to do it safely.
Batteries can hurt you. They can be
dangerous because:
They contain acid that can burn you.
0 They contain gas that can explode or ignite.
They contain enough electricity to
If you don’t follow these steps exactly, some or
burn
you.
~ all of these things can hurt you.
NOTICE:
Ignoring these steps could result in costly damage
to your vehicle that wouldn’t be covered by
your warranty.
Trying to start your vehicle by pushing or pulling
it won’t work, and it could damage your vehicle.
1. Check the other vehicle. It must have a 12-volt
battery with a negative ground system.
I I
I NOTICE:
If the other system isn’t a 12-volt system with a
negative ground, both vehicles can be damaged.
2. Get the vehicles close enough
so the jumper cables
can reach, but be sure the vehicles aren’t touching
each other. If they are, it could cause a ground
connection you don’t want.
You wouldn’t be able to
start your vehicle and the bad grounding could
damage the electrical systems.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Section 6 Service and Appearance Care
Here you will find information about the care of your vehicle. This section begins with service and fuel information,
and then it shows how to check important fluid and lubricant levels. There
is also technical infomation about your
vehicle, and a part devoted to its appearance care.
6-2
6-3
6-5
6-5
6-8 6-8
6-11
6-15
6-18
6- 19
6-20
6-23 6-24
6-25
6-26
6-29
6-30 Service
Fuel
Fuels in Foreign Countries
Filling Your Tank
Filling a Portable Fuel Container
Checking Things Under the Hood
Engine Oil
Air Cleaner
Automatic Transmission Fluid
Rear Axle
Engine Coolant
Surge Tank Pressure Cap
Power Steering Fluid
Windshield Washer Fluid
Brakes
Battery
Bulb Replacement 6-36
6-37
6-45
6-46 6-48
6-49
6-50
6-52 6-53
6-54
6-54 6-55
6-63
6-63
6-63
6-64 Wiper
Blade Replacement
Tires
Appearance Care
Cleaning the Inside of Your Vehicle
Care of Safety Belts
Cleaning the Outside of Your Vehicle
Cleaning Aluminum
or Chrome Wheels
(If Equipped)
Underbody Maintenance
Appearance Care Materials Chart
Vehicle Identification Number (VIN)
Service Parts Identification Label
Electrical System
Replacement Bulbs
Capacities and Specifications
Air Conditioning Refrigerants
Normal Maintenance Replacement Parts

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine Electrical System
Add-on Electrical Equipment
I NOTICE:
Don’t add anything electrical to your vehicle
unless you check with your dealer first. Some electrical equipment can damage your vehicle
and the damage wouldn’t be covered by your
warranty. Some add-on electrical equipment
can keep other components from working as
they should.
Headlamp Wiring
The headlamp wiring has several fuses which are
powered by a MaxiFuse@. An electrical overload will
cause the lamps to go on and off, or in some cases to
remain
off. If this happens, have the headlamp wiring
checked right away.
MaxiFuse is a registered trademark of Little Fuse
Incorporated.
Windshield Wiper Fuses
If the windshield wiper motor overheats due to heavy
snow, etc., the wipers will stop until the motor cools. If
the overload is caused by some electrical problem, be
sure to have it fixed.
Your vehicle has an air bag system. Before attempting
to
add anything electrical to your vehicle, see “Servicing
Your Air Bag-Equipped Vehicle” in the Index.
Power Windows and Other Power Options
Circuit breakers protect the power windows and other
power accessories. When the current load is
too heavy,
the circuit breaker opens and closes, protecting the
circuit until the problem is fixed or goes away.

Downloaded from www.Manualslib.com manuals search engine #-A* ‘JL
Section 8 Index
ABS ......................................... 4-7
Adding Equipment to the Outside
of Your Vehicle ...... 6-3
Add-on Electrical Equipment
..................... 6-55
Aiming. Headlamps
............................. 6-33
AirBag ....................................... 1-27
How Does it Restrain
.......................... 1-33
How the Systems Work
........................ 1-30
Location
.................................... 1-30
Readiness Light ......................... 1.30. 2.65
Servicing
................................... 1-35
What Makes it Inflate
.......................... 1-33
What Will You See After it Inflates
............... 1-34
When Should it Inflate
......................... 1-32
Aircleaner
.................................... 6-15
Air Conditioning
................................ 3-6
Air Conditioning Refrigerants ..................... 6-63
Alarm. Theft-Deterrent .......................... 2- 13
Alignment
and Balance. Tire ...................... 6-43
Aluminum Wheels. Cleaning
...................... 6-50
Antenna. Heated Backlite
........................ 3-30
Antifreeze
..................................... 6-20
Anti-Lock Brake System Warning Light
................ 2.68. 4.7
Brakes (ABS)
................................. 4-7 Anti-Lockout Feature
............................ 2-7
Anti-Pinch Feature
......................... 2.32. 2.53
Appearance Care
............................... 6-45
Appearance Care Materials Chart
.................. 6-53
Arbitration Program
............................. 7-11
Ashtrays and Cigarette Lighter
.................... 2-49
Assist Handles
................................. 2-51
Audio Equipment. Adding ........................ 3-28
Audio Steering Wheel Controls
.................... 3-26
Audio Systems
.................................. 3-9
Automatic Door Locks
............................ 2-5
Automatic Operation (Climate Controls)
.............. 3-3
Automatic Transmission Operation
................................... 2-20
Shifting
..................................... 2-20
Warning Light
............................... 2-76
Fluid
....................................... 6-18
Starting Your Engine
.......................... 2-17
Axle. Rear
.................................... 6-19
Battery
...................................... 6-29
Jump Starting
................................. 5-3
Replacement. Remote Keyless Entry
............... 2-9
Warnings ............................ 5.3.5.4. 5.5