1996 Cadillac SLS Battery connection

Tiny
HOOSIERDADS
  • MEMBER
  • 1996 CADILLAC SLS
1996 Cadillac SLS V8 140000 miles

I was having a problem with the car starting sluggishly. I checked the battery cables and the positive connection will not tighten fully. It's an odd configuration with two positive cables stacked, but when I torque the bolt it bottoms out, but the connection is not tight. It works, but I can move the cable and hear the switches under the hood going on and off.

Should I put an extra washer in between the two positive connections, or something else.

Thanks!

Bonus question - I just changed the fuel distribution that was recalled, but I just found out about the recall on your site today. Can I get reimbursed by Cadillac? I love this car, but it's a maintenance mess.
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 7:20 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
On the battery issue, make sure that the lead spacer is there. In the past there was a situation where the positive bolt was too long, and bottoming out was the result. I would replace the bolt and spacer.

You should be able to get reimbursed depending on the circumstances. Here is the info from the campaign information:

All customer requests for reimbursement for previous repairs for the recall condition will be handled by the Customer Assistance Center, not by dealers.

A General Motors Product Recall Customer Reimbursement Procedure Form is included with the customer letter.

GENERAL MOTORS PRODUCT PROGRAM CUSTOMER REIMBURSEMENT PROCEDURE
If you have paid to have this recall condition corrected prior to receiving this notification, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement.

Requests for reimbursement may include parts, labor, fees and taxes. Reimbursement may be limited to the amount the repair would have cost if completed by an authorized General Motors dealer.

Your claim will be acted upon within 60 days of receipt.

If your claim is:

"Â Approved, you will receive a check from General Motors.

"Â Denied, you will receive a letter from General Motors with the reason(s) for the denial, or

"Â Incomplete, you will receive a letter from General Motors identifying the documentation that is needed to complete the claim and offered the opportunity to resubmit the claim when the missing documentation is available.

Please follow the instructions on the Claim Form provided on the reverse side to file a claim for reimbursement. If you have questions about this reimbursement procedure, please call the toll-free telephone number provided at the bottom of the form. If you need assistance with any other concern, please contact the appropriate Customer Assistance Center at the number listed below. The Customer Assistance Center hours of operation are from 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM eastern standard time Monday through Friday

Division
Number
Text Telephones (TTY)

Cadillac
1-866-982-2339
1-800-833-2622

Puerto Rico - English
1-800-496-9992

Puerto Rico - Espaà ±ol
1-800-496-9993

Virgin Islands
1-800-496-9994

All recall reimbursement questions should be directed to the following number: 1-800-204-0261.

THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTATION MUST ACCOMPANY THIS CLAIM FORM

Original or clear copy of all receipts, invoices and/or repair orders that show:

"Â The name and address of the person who paid for the repair.

"Â The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) of the vehicle that was repaired.

"Â What problem occurred, what repair was done, when it was done and who did it.

"Â The total cost of the repair expense that is being claimed.

"Â Payment for the repair in question and the date of payment.

(copy of front and back of cancelled check, or copy or credit card receipt.)

The bulletin includes a claim form, but it would not copy and paste well. You can see a dealer for the claim form. Reference them to product safety campaign #04014C
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, January 20th, 2010 AT 10:17 PM
Tiny
HOOSIERDADS
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
FYI - the new Cadillac recall policy on this is that you have to pay a $300 "diagnosis fee" for the dealer to verify that the repair is the one under recall.
Since the total repair was only $500, it's not worth the gamble for them to say "sorry", or the hassle to work with a company that obviously no longer cares about their customers.

If I'd known this in advance I wouldn't have wasted my time on the phone and my mechanics time talking to them. It would be good for you to add this to your future answers.

Thanks again for the info - the battery fix worked like a charm. Cadillac customer service, not so much.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Friday, January 22nd, 2010 AT 4:12 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Had no idea that was there policy. I can't see a diagnosis of a fuel rail leaking to cost 300 bucks.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Saturday, February 6th, 2010 AT 1:33 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links