Fix It

The Cadillac DeVille is a top-selling luxury sedan, but like all cars, it may experience some common problems. One such problem is the gearshift getting stuck in "Park" because of a faulty part known as the "Brake Transmission Shift Interlock" or "Brake Shift Interlock Solenoid." This component tells the car that the brake is not engaged and it locks the shifter into place. One fix for the 1993 Cadillac DeVille is to manually manipulate the frozen solenoid to unlock it.

Instructions

1

Start the engine and let the 1993 DeVille warm up. On some GM cars, including the Cadillac line, once the engine has warmed up, the gearshift may be operable. Also, check to ensure the brake pedal is working by pressing down on it. If warming up the car doesnt resolve the problem, go on to the next step.

2

Manually trip the brake shift interlock solenoid. Start the car. Lift the rubber panel cover under the ashtray and open the under-dash compartment door.

3

Shine a flashlight into the under-dash compartment and look for an orange lever tab. Push orange lever tab toward the hood of the DeVille to override the automatic lock manually. Listen for a click that indicates the solenoid has been released.

4

Depress the brake pedal again and attempt to shift the Cadillac into gear.

There may be several reasons why oil is blowing out of your oil dipstick tube. There can be engine malfunctions or user mistakes. You may want to remove some of the oil because of overfill that occurred during an oil change. Whether your engine is blowing out oil by itself or if you are trying to remove some of the excess fluid to avoid this blowout, there is an explanation for these situations and a way to rectify the problem.

Instructions

Accidental Blowout

1

Overfill your engine with oil and leave it that way if you want an accidental blowout. When you are changing your oil or adding oil because of low fluid levels, you may accidentally put in more than the optimal level. Always add oil in small quantities until the dipstick reads the appropriate level.

2

Forgetting to put the dipstick back into the tube is a sure way to blow oil out of the dipstick tube when the engine is running and there is pressure. Just remember to put the dipstick in all the way after you are done checking the oil to avoid oil blowout.

3

Clog your positive crankcase ventilation valve. Check to see if it is clogged by looking at the valve cover on the drivers side of the vehicle. Remove the valve and shake it to see if it rattles to indicate it is fine. While the engine is running, place your finger over the end of it to test for suction; suction means the PCV valve is not the problem for oil blowout.

Removing Oil from Dipstick Tube

4

Locate the drain plug. Usually, it is located on or near the oil pan. Position the oil drip pan below the drain plug.

5

Turn the plug counterclockwise until the oil starts to drain out. Let only a little bit out, then tighten the plug again in a clockwise direction.

6

Check the oil level on the dipstick. Release more oil if there is still too much oil and it is above the indicator line. This is the only safe way to remove excess oil from the dipstick. You do not necessarily want the oil blowing everywhere as it may get messy, smelly and smoky when the engine warms up.

Depending on the climate where it is driven, your Toyotas frame may have rust damage. If caught early enough, preventative measures can slow the rusts progress and delay the need for extensive repairs. If the rust damage is significant, it can lead to failures in suspension and steering components, causing the vehicle to be unsafe. It is critical to inspect the frame carefully to determine the extent of repairs needed. This typically requires old sections of the frame to be reinforced with new pieces of metal. If the amount of rust damage is severe, the best choice may be to completely replace the section of frame, taking care to reinforce the joint. If you are not comfortable using a MIG welder, this repair is best left to a professional. But if you have the necessary skill and safety equipment for MIG welding, you can accomplish the job.

Instructions

Remove Old Rust

1

Spread the naval jelly on any rusted parts of the frame. Wait 5 to 10 minutes. Rinse with fresh water. Take care not to let the naval jelly remain on painted surfaces as it will remove the paint.

2

Assess the severity of the damage. Coat the area in rust-inhibiting paint if the rust has not gone completely through the frame metal and is not at any bolts or welded joints on the frame.

3

Check the repair regularly. This process may need to be repeated periodically to prevent the rust from returning or spreading.

Welding Reinforcements

4

Determine the appropriate repair --- welding a piece of angle bar to the existing frame metal or cutting the frame metal and replacing it completely. If the frame is compromised in many locations, replacing the entire section is likely preferable. Frame sections can be sourced from a Toyota dealership, or an auto dismantler may be able to locate a used one in good condition for less cost. Alternatively, hire a professional welder to fabricate a new frame section using the old one as a template if the vehicle sees heavy use, such as pickup truck.

5

Measure the section of frame to be reinforced and use the grinder to cut a length of angle bar. Add 3 to 4 inches on either side of the bar to overlap the frame. For example, if a 2-inch section of frame has rusted through, the reinforcement should be 8 to 12 inches long. Features of the frame may dictate variations to this, but it is better to overlap as much undamaged metal as possible.

6

Clamp the section of angle bar to the frame where it will be welded and mark any bolt holes or other features. If the reinforcement is in the area of a welded seam, it may be necessary to cut off the welded metal (such as a shackle) and reweld it to the reinforcement. Measure the location of the component carefully to ensure it goes back in the same place. It may also be necessary to trim the reinforcement to fit around features of the frame that to not need reinforcement.

7

Remove the clamps and drill the necessary holes in the reinforcement angle bar. Use the grinder to trim off any metal necessary for a good fit. Test-fit the reinforcement again to ensure the holes are placed properly and the piece fits flush against the existing metal frame. Use the wire brush wheel on the grinder to clean up the metal surface on the frame in preparation for welding.

8

Weld the reinforcement in place using the MIG welder. Reweld any other components such as suspension shackles. Paint the repaired area with rust-inhibiting paint and follow the above directions for periodically inspecting and refreshing the paint. Repeat this process for any other areas that need repair.

Many cars either come standard with dual exhaust or can have it added on, but exhaust will not always come out of both tailpipes. There are times when that is normal, but it can also mean there is a problem.

Function

Dual tailpipes are used to expel exhaust after it has gone through the muffler and the catalytic converter. A butterfly valve at the base of the dual exhaust pipes directs the exhaust through the two pipes.

Warming up

In some cars, the exhaust is directed only through one exhaust pipe for the first 30 seconds to a minute. It will look as if the exhaust is only coming out of one pipe. Once the car has warmed up, the butterfly valve opens and directs the exhaust through both pipes.

Blockage

The other reason why exhaust would only come out of one pipe would be if the other pipe was blocked. Occasionally, dirt, snow and other material can become impacted into the pipe or the pipe can be bent from an accident and prevent the flow of exhaust through the pipe.