1998 Cadillac Fleetwood check engine light

Tiny
YOUNGGROUP
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 CADILLAC FLEETWOOD
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
Hello, currently my Cadillac Fleetwood displays 'check engine light". As a result, failed SMOG. After taking to mechanic for diagnostic, they first recommended drive for 200 miles. That didn't work. The recommended some type of gas treatment. That didn't work. I was told by someone that if car is left dormat (driving is very sporadic - not much driving) that computer shuts down and have to get it reset by authorized Cadillac dealer. Please advise resolution to this as DMV registration has expired and I do not want to absorb any additional penalty fees. Thank you.
Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 7:28 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
If I could please get the 8th digit of your vin and what code number's your car has that would help a great deal.
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 7:37 PM
Tiny
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Vin=1G6DW52P3TR712786

Trouble Code = P0300 - Random Multiple Misfire

Please advise.

Thank you.
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 7:48 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Are you sure it's a 1998 fleetwood? I don't have a listing for a 1998 fleetwood in my information.
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Saturday, October 16th, 2010 AT 11:35 PM
Tiny
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Sorry. It's 1996. My apologies.

Please advise.
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Sunday, October 17th, 2010 AT 1:17 AM
Tiny
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Circuit Description

A 4X reluctor wheel is located on the front of the crankshaft. The crankshaft position sensor will send a pulse every falling edge of the 4X reluctor wheel. A misfire causes a change in crankshaft speed. The PCM times the interval between each pulse and compares each new time interval with the previous one to determine when an excessive change in crankshaft speed has occurred. A certain amount of acceleration/deceleration is expected between each firing stroke, but if the crankshaft speed changes are greater than an expected amount, the PCM will interpret this as a misfire. The PCM continuously calculates crankshaft position from the low and high resolution signals. This information is used to determine which cylinder is misfiring so that the PCM can increment the appropriate misfire counter.

Conditions for Setting the DTC

* DTCs P0100, P0102, P0103, P0107, P0108, P0117, P0118, P0122, P0123, P0335, P0336, P0500, P0502, P0601, P0742, not set.
* Engine speed between 325 RPM and 3000 RPM.
* Ignition voltage between 9.0 volts and 16.0 volts.
* Engine coolant temperature between -7 °C (19 °F) and 130 °C (266 °F).
* Throttle angle steady within 1%.
* ABS and Traction Control not active.
* Transmission not changing gears.
* AIR and EGR diagnostic test not in progress.
* A/C clutch steady state.
* Not in fuel shut-off or decel fuel cut-off.
* ABS signals not exceeding rough road thresholds.
* The PCM determines that an emission type Misfire is present.
* The PCM determines that a catalyst damaging Misfire is present.

Action Taken When the DTC Sets

* The PCM will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) under the following conditions:
* The PCM determines the percent of misfire over a 200 revolution period is high enough to cause catalyst damage. The PCM will flash the Malfunction Indicator Lamp (MIL) once per second during the time catalyst damaging misfire is present.
* The PCM determines the percent of misfire over a 1000 revolution period is high enough to cause excessive tail pipe emissions. The PCM will illuminate the Malfunction Indicator lamp the next consecutive ignition cycle that the diagnostic runs and fails if the diagnostic test fails under the same conditions (load, RPM, temperature, etc.) As the previous ignition cycle that the test ran and failed.
* The first time the diagnostic fails, the PCM will record operating conditions in Failure Records.
* The second consecutive drive trip that this diagnostic fails [under the same conditions (load, RPM, temperature, etc.) As the previous ignition cycle that the test ran and failed, this information will be stored in Freeze Frame. Any data previously stored in Freeze Frame will be copied into Failure Records and Freeze Frame will be overwritten by this DTC. The only exception to this is if a Fuel Trim DTC was already recorded in Freeze Frame. In this case, the Fuel Trim data stays in Freeze Frame and the Misfire data will be updated in Failure Records.

Conditions for Clearing the MIL/DTC

* The PCM will turn the MIL "OFF" after three consecutive drive trips that the diagnostic runs and does not fail within the same conditions that the DTC last failed.

Notice: If the last failure was during a non-typical driving condition, the MIL may remain "ON" longer than three drive trips. Review Freeze Frame/Failure Records for the last failure conditions.

* A last test failed (Current DTC) will clear when the diagnostic runs and does not fail.
* A History DTC will clear after forty consecutive warm-up cycles, if no failures are reported by this or any other emission related diagnostic.
* PCM battery voltage is interrupted.
* Using a scan tool.

Diagnostic Aids

* If cylinder #1 is misfiring, inspect the EGR valve for hanging open. Remove the EGR valve and inspect for contaminates. Clean the EGR as necessary.
* The vehicle running out of fuel can cause sufficient misfire to set DTC P0300.
* A misfire DTC could be caused by excessive vibration from sources other than the engine. The following are possible sources:
* Tire/wheel out of round/balance
* Variable thickness brake rotor/drum
* Drive shaft not balanced
* Certain rough road conditions

Test Description

Number(s) below refer to step numbers on the diagnostic table.

2. Wetting down the secondary ignition system with water from a spray bottle may help locate damaged or deteriorated components. Look/listen for arcing or misfiring as water is applied.

If the "Misfire Occur" counters are incrementing and there is no apparent misfire, an erratic Crankshaft Position (CKP) sensor signal could be the cause. Perform the diagnostic table for DTC P0335 first if this condition is suspected. See: P0335

If misfire is present and a fuel control problem is suspected, force the system into Open Loop using the scan tool and allow the engine to run for a few minutes. If this eliminates the misfire, refer to any fuel control related DTCs which are set. If no other DTCs are set, refer to the Engine Scan Tool Data List.

5/6. This distributor ignition system has lower KV requirements than typical systems. The J 26792 spark tester (ST-125) may not fire consistently when testing this system. This chart only asks if the system is capable of firing the spark tester.

8. If the plug is gas fouled, dry out the plug before reinstalling it in another cylinder.

19. If the customer complaint is "The MIL is flashing, " indicates that a Catalyst Misfire has occurred. The vehicle must be driven in the conditions to run the catalyst diagnostic. Refer to DTCs P0420 and/or P0430 for "Conditions for Setting the DTC." See: P0420 See: P0430
I also emailed you the trouble tree for code p0300.
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Sunday, October 17th, 2010 AT 10:51 PM

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