Service soon 1985 Cadillac Eldorado

[Guest]

I have a 1985 Cadillac Eldorado. The air pump bracket broke which caused the "Service Soon" light to light up. Disconnected the battery and changed the bracket. Started it back up and the light stays on. How do I get the "Service Soon" light to go out?<BR>Thanks in advance.

[fordee9r (Ron Springstead)]

General Motors computerized engine controls are a pain in the butt! Little or nothing can set a code in the computer and it may take an act of God to get it to go out. I can see why a broken air pump bracket would trigger a code but, if this was the cause of setting the code, I don't know why after correcting the problem the light didn't go out. At this point, you will have to get the trouble codes from the computer and see what's bothering it. Good luck... I've had GM cars that have their "service" lites lit up and no logical solutions could turn it off! Maybe "brain-dead"?

[Guest]

Thanks Ron, I knew it was something simple!!!

[Guest]

Here is a list of Cadillac trouble codes and how to dump them, the boys in the Reatta forum are pretty knowledgeable they might be able to help further. You probably should start by clearing you existing code first and see if it reoccurs now that you've fixed the problem.<BR> <A HREF="http://www.members.accessus.net/~090/awh/dtcobd1.html" TARGET=_blank>http://www.members.accessus.net/~090/awh/dtcobd1.html</A>

[fordee9r (Ron Springstead)]

Disconnecting the battery when he changed the bracket should have cleared all codes from the ECM.

[Guest]

History codes are retained in memory and must be cleared through the on board diagnostics, see the website I posted for a better explanation. Computer memory is kept fresh by a capacitor which will keep power to the computer for days.

[fordee9r (Ron Springstead)]

Thanks Chuck....<BR>The clinics I've attended and shop manuals I've used have always mentioned disconnecting the battery as the way to clear the computer of all codes. No mention ever made of a capacitor retaining memory. I guess we learn something new every day!

[Guest]

The early OBDI systems worked that way but the Cadillac and later OBDII systems need to have the memory cleared, the Cadillacs always get the latest technology first. This was implemented to prevent the computer from having to re-learn operating characteristics every time the battery is disconnected. All newer OBDII cars work this way now.<P>There is a pin-out you can short to drain the capacitor but I have no idea which one it is without a schematic, I read somewhere that grounding the positive and negative terminals (disconnected from the battery of course) accomplishes this but I have never tried it. I'm not sure it would work but this would be a perfect opportunity to find out? Wouldn't hurt anything if you tried it?<P>I am no expert by any stretch of the imagination.<p>[ 04-13-2002: Message edited by: 4 Jaw Chuck ]

[Guest]

Fourjaw. I disconnected the battery and grounded the negitive and positive terminals. Reconnected the battery and started the car. Light still on. Just thought you'd like to know.<BR>Thanks again.<BR>Charley

[Guest]

Thanks for dubunking another old wifes tale Charley, I learn something new everyday. The other thing that came to mind last night, did the belt for the pump get thrown off? A cracked mount should not have set a code unless the belt got tossed off. Did you read the codes off as per the instructions on the site I posted? I would be interested to see what code came up? Did you clear them? The beauty of the Cadillac system is you don't need a reader or voltmeter to see the codes.

[Guest]

I hope I am not out of line here but what does trouble shooting a 1985 car have to do with a Collectable Automobile Discussion Forum?

[Guest]

Jan, It is not so much of what it has to do with this forum, but more as to what does this have to do with the AACA. It's a shame, but I don't see that many members talking on here any more. I wonder why?<P>Jack Condran

[Guest]

Sorry Charles. NO!<P>Jan

[Guest]

Sigh...I will e-mail my address to you Charles so we won't bother these fine folks with our conversation. Reasons for membership not using the forum more can be found in the "Rants@Raves" section.

[fordee9r (Ron Springstead)]

I did notice that "REGISTERED" members of this forum offered help in the posted question. The "UNREGISTERED" people who posted to this thread only posted complaints... no constructive help. <BR>By the way, I have been an AACA member for many years and am still here! If you don't like a topic of a thread, do like I do... skip over it and read something else. <BR>In case you're interested, most of us "regulars" regard posts by "REGISTERED" members much higher than those made by"UNREGISTERED" users. I guess if you can't be bothered to register, I can't be bothered to take your posts seriously!

[Guest]

Jan and Jack<BR>I understand your comments regarding my 1985 Eldorado. I've owned it since 1987 and doubt it's been out of the garage overnight maybe 10 times in 15 years. The car is 17 years old. That's like asking a question regarding a 1930 Model A Ford in 1947!!! It's easy to find an old car in a field rewood and buy all new sheet metal. How about the same year car that has been inside storage all it's life? Someone had to have liked it enough to take good care of it. <BR>I have a 1913 Cadillac I purchased in 1999. It had 7,000 originl miles when I bought it. Never restored, paintd in 1945. The previous owner bought it in 1939 and kept it 60 years. During WWII, while in the service, his mom and dad wrote him a letter. The neighbors wanted them to donate it for the scrap drive. He told them "I'm doing my share over here and leave the Cadillac right where it's at. That's how it survived the scrap drive. <BR>Let's take care of some of the newer cars so they'll be here later.<BR>Don't you feel bad now?