How do I access the plugs and wires on my 01 Catera?

you dont unscrew the cover,you pull the plug wire to access the plug and then use an extension with your socket

K134 Multifunction relay is on the driver side, inside the dash above the driver's left ankle (area). (2) panels need to be removed below the steering column to access this area. The first is a panel that matches your dash. The second is a cardboard panel with foam padding on it that encompasses the arms holding the brake pedal and accelerator. You'll then need to lay on your back on the floor board, head in first. Look for a gray box about 3" square by 1 1/2" thick. Push it 'up' off of it's mounting bracket to release. Unplug the wiring harness. Plug in new relay and re-mount.

The problems you are describing indicate to me that you likely need to replace the coil pack that runs from the spark plugs ,and the plug wires end up at it.It also may be the spark plug wires,get a water bottle and spray the wires after dark and if you get a light show from them then replace them,if not,replace the coil pack.

There is no dipstick on the 01 Catera or any Catera for that matter (97 to 01) also same transmission used on 3 series BMWs.

I have 2 - 2001 Cateras....no....dip...stick.

It's a sealed transmission. There are fluid drain plugs, one at side of the tranny and one at the bottom. Jack the car up from the front on a level surface. Place a hose to a funnel and remove the top filler access plug (the side one). Insert the hose here and fill the funnel until fluid leaks out the side hole (make sure you have a catch pan). Then drop the car and let the excess fluid level out from the fill hole. Raise the car again and wipe away the excess fluid and re-install the filler plug.

Make sure its the bulb by connecting a scanner. If you have a 650 code (don't remember the group (P I think), the MIL circuit is faulty.

To remove the cluster, you need to remove the centre and left side air vents. There are screws behind the vents. the left side dash panel cover gets you access to another screw. The cluster unplugs and you pull it out (tilt the wheel down).

At least, this is the way it's done on my 01'

Did you have battery disconnected or dead recently?

Try to place ignition in run without starting engine for 3 minutes (shut off all accessories and lights etc..). Then shut it off and then start it. Should relearn the idle.

If this doesn't fix the problem, unplug the MAF sensor, if it runs fine with it unplugged, its the MAF sensor.

Exactly what happened on my wife's 01'.

its spring loaded there is no adjustment to be made you just need to change it and or the belt

You need to remove the upper rad hose and the battery.
Then, use a torx to remove the 6 screws (hard to get at) which will remove the EBTCM from the brake modulator. You also must disconnect the two electrical connectors (the big one has a slide tab).
There are places you can send the module to and rebuild with warranty. I took a module from a 99' and installed it in my wife's 01'. Now the speedo, odometer, cruise and power steering work perfect and no TCM / ABS light.

Since you just replaced the battery and alternator, I would take the car to a parts store and have them check the alternator output. See if there is any fluctuation in the output. I had a short once in one of the wires in the plug that was causing an intermittent charging problem. I found it by moving the wires around while checking the alternator output. I re-soldered the wire into the plug and eliminated the problem. Hope this helped and best wishes.

I had a similar problem with my 01'
The problem is when battery goes dead or is disconnected, the throttle position sensor loses it's home position. The solution was to leave ignition on without starting it (better to have a charger connected) for 3 minutes, Then start the car and it should smooth out. Good luck...worked for me.