Top 10 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette Questions & Answers

You need to check for leaks first. WalMart sells a kit to recharge your a/c system with R-134a and a stop leak sealer. Make sure your core valve is tight. You'll need a longer valve tool than what you use for your tires. Good luck

as long as the engine temperature is normal, i would suspect a clogged heater core, the dex-cool antifreeze is notorious for building up deposits in cooling system. have heater core flushed first to see if it makes any difference

I agree with the post about the tail lights. And the symptom about the brakes on when starting was also helpful. When I took off my rear tail lights and removed the top light bulb (top of the 4 is closest to connector) then repeat starting the car the problem is gone. I have a whole drawer of these bulbs that I removed, not because the filament was burned out, but because the base (similar to circuit card edge connector) had heat damage and melted. I am not sure exactly what the problem is but I think there are multiple conductors in the fixture which are too close or get moisture shorts. Anyway I hypothesize the circuit for daytime running lights is leaking current into the brake light circuit, and it causes that module that controls traction control and ABS to declare a fault. When you start with foot on the brakes the brake lamp is pulled on (I don't know if switches hi or lo) so that module doesn't declare the fault until you release the brakes.

I put in new bulbs and it works fine for now, but I know it may reappear some day then I will repeat, disassembly of the fixtures and inspect bulb bases for heat damage and clean out and replace. That is what did the trick for me.

Thanks Fixya and all contributors

u have 2 bad coils

From the back of the front door slide your hand in the sliding door crack and find the child-safety-lever. Push the lever up and/or down while moving the sliding door manual lock/unlock button to the up position. Also works on the non-powered sliding door.

A diagnostic scanner that reads OBD1 (the system by which your vehicle processes trouble codes) will be required, many parts stores do this a s a free service. Check with them to see if they charge. Remember though, when they read the car and turn the light off that in order for the light to stay off, the problem must be fixed. Even if it was a one time fluke of a problem, get the code that their scanner gives them so that you know what the issue is.

this almost certainly is the sending unit. the fuel tank has to be removed to change it, as it is in the tank.

Do you have a trailer hitch with lights? Generally the wires short there. Is the fuse the correct amperage? Look on the lid to the fuse cover and the fuse whould have a # and you want the same.

If thats not it check the bulbs, sometimes water gets into the light. Is it just tail lights? If you can get under car and unplug the connector for the tail lights, you might have to do some wire following but it should have a plug, unplug it and try again if it does not blow the problem is in that part of the harness. If it still blows you have other more complex problems.

If this come on again, its possible that you have a direct short. Start checking from where you unpluged forward. Has to have a bare spot, some where.I have seen a light switch go bad and cause problems! Short inside of switch; check Brake Switch on brake pedal also.

Hope this diagram cbe helpful (clikc for zoom)...

Fig. EBCM, PCM and Stoplamp Switch(c) (2001)

Fig. EBCM, Power and Ground(c) (2001)


Hope helps; keep us updated.

1. Remove the instrument panel accessory trim plate around the control panel by prying gently and then pulling it straight out.
2. Remove the control panel mounting screws.
3. Pull the control panel straight out from the instrument panel.
4. Disconnect the electrical connectors.
5. Installation is the reverse order of removal.
6. After installation, the actuators must be calibrated. For additional information, refer to the following section, -Actuator Calibration.-
   
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10. Fig. Remove the screw and pull the control panel straight out of the instrument panel.

1. Place the ignition switch to the OFF position.
2. Install the HVAC control module.
3. Connect all previously disconnected components.
4. Start the vehicle.
5. Wait 40 seconds for the HVAC control module to self-calibrate.
6. Verify that no DTCs have set as current DTCs.
7. Place the ignition switch to the OFF position.
8. With the Mode knob in the PANEL position, press and hold the AC button for 5 seconds.
9. Rotate the Mode knob fully counterclockwise.
10. Rotate the Mode knob fully clockwise.
11. Rotate the Mode knob fully counterclockwise.
12. Release the AC button.
13. Wait 40 seconds for the HVAC control module to self-calibrate.
14. Start the vehicle.

I have enclosed a picture diagram to help you locate the crankshaft sensor, some have two sensors so you will need to look. the first location is behind the crankshaft harmonic pulley. and the other location is on the right side of the engine. hope this is helpful.