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1998 Cadillac Concours radio

Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CADILLAC DEVILLE CONCOURS
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 132,000 MILES
Hi Guys,
I had/have a weird electrical situation going on. Without any warning, I attempt to start the engine, and I get erratic dash lights the starter doesn't turn the security system starts the horns blowing.
I turn the key off, it stops. Thinking maybe a it's a "ground" issue, I attempt to clean the bat. Terminals. When I removing the ground term. The horns start to blow, as though the security has be activated. So, I remove th hot side first, then the ground and no problem. After cleaning the terms, I try to start the engine and "no" problem. Thinking "all is well", I go to use the cars and this issue starts again. I go through the process again, but this time I clean the engine side of the bat. Grd. Attempt to crank, she starts no problem. Through this clean process, I found no "real" corrosion anywhere. I'm thinking some relay somewhere is causing the no crank, dash lights buzzing, horn blowing going on. When it did crank and fire and run like normal, I notice the radion was dead. No, apparent electrical connection when turning it on. Also, after turning the engine off, I hear this electrical kind of rumbling noise in the speaker system and all of the indicator lights on the transmission gear selector strip light up. After a few seconds I all shuts off. I have benn able to crank and fire. There is not indication of impending battery failure.
Any suggestions or clarification needed?
Thanks for any leads.
Ken Ashbrook
Severna Park, MD
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Tuesday, May 20th, 2008 AT 7:21 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
Does this have 2 positive cables on the positive side of battery? Is the bolt a lot longer than the neg side? Get back to us
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 AT 10:37 AM
Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Hi,

Thanks for the reply. The cables both ground and positive are factory, The battery is a delco. The ground terminal is the standard issued for use with this side terminal battery. The positive has two leads, one, I suspect goes to the alternator, and the other to the fuse/power distribution terminal. I haven't checked the power distribution side for corrosion, so maybe I should followup on this aspect.
It was though, after removing and reinstalling the cables at the battery terminals, this had an affect on it. But the rumbling sound through the speakers is (?). And I mentioned the radio has no power or doesn't come on. I do know that is it were " locked", at least it would indicate that when turned on.
So, any thinks I can check would be a help.
Thanks again for getting back to me.

Ken
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 AT 12:29 PM
Tiny
MASTERTECHTIM
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,750 POSTS
I think maybe 2 problems. First check all fuses and make sure the dome light fuse or courtesy fuse is not blown for the radio issue and I think you are going to find that the positive battery cable end is where the other problem will be. If you have the 2 different cables going to the pos side and have a spacer in between, usually replacing the spacer will relieve the problem as it wears out over time causing loose connection between the two cables. If its one cable with 2 wires into it, I usually cut off the end and install a universal end on it from the parts store. All you do is cut off the insulation and insert it in the cable end and tighten 2 screws. Let us know
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 AT 12:43 PM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there
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Wednesday, May 21st, 2008 AT 5:56 PM
Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:9cf0e6bd1d]

Hi,

Thanks for the good reply. Can you explain the reference to "intergration relay". I did a search on "Alldata" within my make & model account and they have no record of a relay with that terminology.

Thanks,

Ken
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 9:36 AM
Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:578047992e]

Hi again,

Would you be referring tio the "inadvert power relay", by chance? If so, I can get to it. What's it's function?
Thanks
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Friday, May 30th, 2008 AT 10:07 AM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:2b10a71f82]

Hi again,

Would you be referring tio the "inadvert power relay", by chance? If so, I can get to it. What's it's function?
Thanks[/quote:2b10a71f82]

yes thats it, at the shop we use reference to it as intergration relay, it does a few things, one is the radio, interior lights, give it a shot first, you can also scan the codes off and warmer on the heater controls at the same time, with key in the on position
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Saturday, May 31st, 2008 AT 2:04 AM
Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:ad8971af9f]

Hi again,

Would you be referring tio the "inadvert power relay", by chance? If so, I can get to it. What's it's function?
Thanks[/quote:ad8971af9f]

yes thats it, at the shop we use reference to it as intergration relay, it does a few things, one is the radio, interior lights, give it a shot first, you can also scan the codes off and warmer on the heater controls at the same time, with key in the on position[/quote:ad8971af9f]

Ok,
FYI as of yeaterday.
I had dead battery, so I fully charged. Cranked and started engine with no apparent issues with lights blinking as before. However, still no radio power.
I checked alternator output with load & no load received 14.3/.4 volts whether loaded or not. Seems to be higher rate than normal w/o load. I loaded tested battery for 10 seconds 13 vs fell to 11 volts. Dead/dieing battery?
I'm going to replace both battery and inadvert relay. I think the low battery voltages were causing the computer to set off the weired light issues with the transmission leds and the horn sounding when removing the bat. Cables, previousley?
BTW, I received no codes from my Actron scanner. After charging and running all systems were normal to my inexperienced scanner eye.
Any more thoughts?

Thanks ken
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Saturday, May 31st, 2008 AT 8:15 AM
Tiny
BUZZSAW
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,198 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:77988a8110]

Hi again,

Would you be referring tio the "inadvert power relay", by chance? If so, I can get to it. What's it's function?
Thanks[/quote:77988a8110]

yes thats it, at the shop we use reference to it as intergration relay, it does a few things, one is the radio, interior lights, give it a shot first, you can also scan the codes off and warmer on the heater controls at the same time, with key in the on position[/quote:77988a8110]

Ok,
FYI as of yeaterday.
I had dead battery, so I fully charged. Cranked and started engine with no apparent issues with lights blinking as before. However, still no radio power.
I checked alternator output with load & no load received 14.3/.4 volts whether loaded or not. Seems to be higher rate than normal w/o load. I loaded tested battery for 10 seconds 13 vs fell to 11 volts. Dead/dieing battery?
I'm going to replace both battery and inadvert relay. I think the low battery voltages were causing the computer to set off the weired light issues with the transmission leds and the horn sounding when removing the bat. Cables, previousley?
BTW, I received no codes from my Actron scanner. After charging and running all systems were normal to my inexperienced scanner eye.
Any more thoughts?

Thanks ken[/quote:77988a8110]

cadillac has self diag through the heater controls, use that aftermarket scanners only do the pcm not the bcm, scan the codes through the heater, off and warmer at the same time, with the key in the on position, I can only help you if you do what I ask
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Sunday, June 1st, 2008 AT 2:42 AM
Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:ff89b63788]

Hi again,

Would you be referring tio the "inadvert power relay", by chance? If so, I can get to it. What's it's function?
Thanks[/quote:ff89b63788]

yes thats it, at the shop we use reference to it as intergration relay, it does a few things, one is the radio, interior lights, give it a shot first, you can also scan the codes off and warmer on the heater controls at the same time, with key in the on position[/quote:ff89b63788]

Ok,
FYI as of yeaterday.
I had dead battery, so I fully charged. Cranked and started engine with no apparent issues with lights blinking as before. However, still no radio power.
I checked alternator output with load & no load received 14.3/.4 volts whether loaded or not. Seems to be higher rate than normal w/o load. I loaded tested battery for 10 seconds 13 vs fell to 11 volts. Dead/dieing battery?
I'm going to replace both battery and inadvert relay. I think the low battery voltages were causing the computer to set off the weired light issues with the transmission leds and the horn sounding when removing the bat. Cables, previousley?
BTW, I received no codes from my Actron scanner. After charging and running all systems were normal to my inexperienced scanner eye.
Any more thoughts?

Thanks ken[/quote:ff89b63788]

cadillac has self diag through the heater controls, use that aftermarket scanners only do the pcm not the bcm, scan the codes through the heater, off and warmer at the same time, with the key in the on position, I can only help you if you do what I ask[/quote:ff89b63788]

Ah, Hah!
I didn't understand what you were trying to tell me with that referenced comment, sorry, if I seemed unresponsive.
So, you are saying, I should depress both the heater "off" and "warmer" buttons at the same time. Not knowing what I'll be seeing, do I need to cycle through some how to read codes, or will they just start? Ok, I'll see what happens.

Thanks!

Ken
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Sunday, June 1st, 2008 AT 5:39 AM
Tiny
KENASH
  • MEMBER
  • 25 POSTS
Replace the intergration relay, its under the cover on the drivers side strut tower, there is only 1 there[/quote:225f5f0cae]

Hi again,

Would you be referring tio the "inadvert power relay", by chance? If so, I can get to it. What's it's function?
Thanks[/quote:225f5f0cae]

yes thats it, at the shop we use reference to it as intergration relay, it does a few things, one is the radio, interior lights, give it a shot first, you can also scan the codes off and warmer on the heater controls at the same time, with key in the on position[/quote:225f5f0cae]

Ok,
FYI as of yeaterday.
I had dead battery, so I fully charged. Cranked and started engine with no apparent issues with lights blinking as before. However, still no radio power.
I checked alternator output with load & no load received 14.3/.4 volts whether loaded or not. Seems to be higher rate than normal w/o load. I loaded tested battery for 10 seconds 13 vs fell to 11 volts. Dead/dieing battery?
I'm going to replace both battery and inadvert relay. I think the low battery voltages were causing the computer to set off the weired light issues with the transmission leds and the horn sounding when removing the bat. Cables, previousley?
BTW, I received no codes from my Actron scanner. After charging and running all systems were normal to my inexperienced scanner eye.
Any more thoughts?

Thanks ken[/quote:225f5f0cae]

cadillac has self diag through the heater controls, use that aftermarket scanners only do the pcm not the bcm, scan the codes through the heater, off and warmer at the same time, with the key in the on position, I can only help you if you do what I ask[/quote:225f5f0cae]

Ah, Hah!
I didn't understand what you were trying to tell me with that referenced comment, sorry, if I seemed unresponsive.
So, you are saying, I should depress both the heater "off" and "warmer" buttons at the same time. Not knowing what I'll be seeing, do I need to cycle through some how to read codes, or will they just start? Ok, I'll see what happens.

Thanks!

Ken[/quote:225f5f0cae]
Sorry, I need an understanding. I'm looking at the heater/AC controls panel on my 1998 Deville. I'm not sure what buttons would be considered "off" and "warmer". I have a dial that I turn to get "warmer" / "cooler". I have an AC "off" button. There is a fan speed, and buttons for the defrosting etc. So, I have no clue. I guess this is a terminology thing here, I hope.
Sorry to seem so ignorant.

Ken
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Sunday, June 1st, 2008 AT 7:21 AM

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