Three problems related to alternator/generator/regulator have been reported for the 1997 Cadillac Catera. The most recently reported issues are listed below.
Car would not start. Had to jump start. Dealer replaced alternator and battery. Battery was previously replaced 06/03/99. Oil light above oil pressire gauge came on while driving, and oil pressure gauge moved up and down erratically. Dealer found no problem. Battery cover and was burnt/was brittle and had a white ashey look to it. Engine produces a lot of heat. Dealer replaced cover and tray. Temperature gauge reads higher than normal. Dealership recalibrated ipc for temp gauge. Temp gauge still reads the same as before. Ticking sounds from left and right sides of dash when heat is on. Dealer replaced fan motor twice. Ticking sounds still there and now there is no heat. Disc brake pad indicator lamp did not illuminate when pads needed replacing. Had to have front brake job and replace sensors for indicator lamp. Dealership said sensors got damaged when pads were worn down past the sensors.
The vehicle experienced a slow start when being started in the morning. The dealer replaced the alternator and battery but the problem still exists. The battery failed four times in three days. Nlm the vehicle stalled (in which the vehicle roared for a while), and may have derived from the engine camshaft drive timing belt, idler, tensioner pulleys, and the water pump. Scc.
Incident date of problem date of return invoice # roadside case# problem. No safety defect listed in summary.
| Dash Wiring problems | |
| Electrical System problems | |
| Battery problems | |
| Alternator/generator/regulator problems | |
| Ignition Switch problems | |
| Fuses And Circuit Breaker problems | |
| Ignition problems | |
| O2 Sensor problems | |
| Car Will Not Start problems |