Multiple warnings

Tiny
RRFLYNN
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 CADILLAC ELDORADO
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 63,430 MILES
History: On the advice of the dealer, the original owner paid to have the 'short head bolt problem' fixed. ($5,000.00)
I was told this after the sale was completed, so even though they didn't have paperwork showing it, I can see no reason why anyone would disclose this information (at that point) if it wasn't so. The original owner was elderly and had passed. Sale was made by her niece.
Problems: Multiple 'Information center' messages.
First one came at idle saying 'change oil'. I had just changed the oil and reset the information to 100% at 63124 miles. I did another reset and all was well.

A couple days later while sitting at a traffic light, 'service soon' light came on. At the same time 'idle engine' came on very briefly.
After that message disappeared, a new one saying 'engine overheating' came on. Temp gauge was at normal (center of gauge). Suddenly it jumped two notches and immediately went back to normal. I mean really fast!
When the traffic light changed, I turned off the A/C, turned on the heater and proceeded down the road until I got home. (About 15 miles) No other issues (other than the service soon light staying on).
After engine was cool I checked fluid levels. All normal.
The next morning the 'service soon' light was off. I noticed that the A/C fan would not blow, and changing to settings made no difference. I turned off the engine and restarted it. A/C worked fine.
Yesterday I drove it about two blocks to the store and came home with no warning lights. Everything working properly. Engine temperature gauge never got above 1/4. (Half of normal)
Backed into driveway and 'service soon' light and 'change oil' notice came on again.
Hoping a computer reset would fix it, I disconnected the negative battery cable, turned the key to 'on' and waited 10 minutes. Reconnected everything, started engine and put it in drive without moving.
Short ride this morning brought it to average temperature, but never above normal (half). After stopping and restarting engine, "Idle engine and engine overheating" warning came on briefly. Temperature gauge said normal. Made one more stop and nothing happened.
Friday, July 12th, 2019 AT 10:46 AM

11 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hi RRFlynn,

This could be many things so the best course of action is to start with scanning for any codes. If you don't have a scanner then most parts stores can pull them for you.

It could just be a loose ground or larger electrical issue. It doesn't sound like a mechanical issue because the car is not actually overheating so hopefully you have some codes that will point us in the right direction.

Let me know and we can go from there. Thanks
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Saturday, July 13th, 2019 AT 8:34 AM
Tiny
RRFLYNN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Sorry I neglected to include that code.
Luckily, because I have an insurance module in the car, 'DriveWise' sent me the code.
Diagnostic Trouble Code P1258 (Engine Coolant Overtemperature - Protection Mode Active) The only code and multiple times.

I should note that last year I had to replace the coolant recovery tank, and I did use the correct 'dex' coolant for my car, topping it off with a mixture of water and coolant, but not a measured mixture. I might have gone too heavy on the Dex

Thanks!
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Monday, July 15th, 2019 AT 7:45 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. This is good but to be sure we need a little more info that is stored in what is called the freeze frame data. An actual scan tool can pull this information. What this does is tells us what the PCM was seeing at the time the code was set.

The coolant mixture would not cause this. Most likely it is the engine coolant temp sensor or its circuitry to the PCM. The freeze frame data will hopefully confirm this so you don't waste any money and time on a sensor.
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Monday, July 15th, 2019 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
RRFLYNN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Interesting!
I see my local AutoZone has several of these code readers from $30.00 to $230.00.
Would you suggest that I purchase one or go to a mechanic so he can decipher the information more accurately?
Thanks.
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Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 AT 8:09 AM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It is up to your comfort level and if you are going to use it in the future. I would not suggest getting one just for one concern but if you are going to look into this stuff moving forward, they are a good investment. If you are going to get one, I would make sure you can do two things other than just read codes. You will want one that can communicate with the ABS module because not all can. Then second you want to be able to monitor live data. Reading codes is good but that is just to get you into the correct system. If you can't read data then you will be taking it to someone for diagnosis.

Last thing to consider is if you are not going to be doing your own repairs, I would just stick with using a mechanic for everything. Reason is, if you buy the tool and diagnose it and take it to someone to install the part and it is wrong, then you are going to end up paying a mechanic to diagnosis it and then repair it as well. So there is a chance that you pay for both and that defeats the purpose of purchasing the tool.
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Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 AT 1:11 PM
Tiny
RRFLYNN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I used to do almost all my own repairs, but as I get older I have trouble 'pushing' myself to change my own oil! So I guess I'll make an appointment with my mechanic.

Thank you very much for all your help!
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 6:21 AM
Tiny
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Haha. I completely understand. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Wednesday, July 17th, 2019 AT 3:20 PM
Tiny
RRFLYNN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
Update:
After running this problem through my head for days on end, it suddenly came to me!
If I'm getting a sudden temperature spike and then it goes back to normal, there must be something hotter than the coolant passing by the sensor. A pocket of hot air or gas is the only thing that could get that hot in a system filled with moderate temperature coolant.
My next thought was how to check this, and hopefully fix it.
I removed the pressure cap, brought the car up to operating temperature and waited. I'm skipping a couple steps here because it's easier to give you the link to the three minute video I made showing the problem and the fix.
My confidence in this vehicle is coming back with every trip I make without the issue rearing its ugly head! I'm 99% sure this fixed it! A couple more trips and I'll be at 100% !
Here's the link:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4A5VeFzoDw0
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Saturday, July 27th, 2019 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
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That is excellent information. I should have asked you for a video because that was truly worth a 1,000 words.

Good job. I agree that this was most likely your issue. Thanks for the update. That will definitely help others. Thanks for using 2CarPros.
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Saturday, July 27th, 2019 AT 5:41 PM
Tiny
RRFLYNN
  • MEMBER
  • 6 POSTS
I didn't have the video until a few days ago. You know how it works. It never happens when you want it to! I'll bet I took 10 videos before it finally happened again! Lol

I made a lot of short trips today, and everything worked as it should. I figured this would cost me a pile of money, and it didn't cost a dime. Very unusual when it comes to autos.
Thanks again for all your help!
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Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Hey we all need a break sometime. Glad you figured it out because it is those types of issues that end up costing a lot of money because they are so odd and intermittent.
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Sunday, July 28th, 2019 AT 1:19 PM

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