Cadillac Suspension

The dashboard in my sister-in-law 95 cadillac Sedan DeVille is running fine however, the dashboard is flashing with a message of " Service Ride Control". We ask the dealer, and their response was that they have to change the strut for a lot of money($1000), but there's a cheaper way to do it, and they could bypass that for $200 to $300.
She drive the car 10 miles round trip to go to work.
Can someone help us how to fix this and by pass the system.
Also can you recommend what type of strut or shock absorber to use?
Thanks a lot in advance!!

what kind?i dont know what kind but i would get top of the line,the best u can get for a Cadillac.because if u get the good stuff it will last a lot longer than what you get out of cheap stuff and you will get a better ride.you may spend a bit of money but thats what you gotta do when u have a luxury car.

or you can ignore it, if its only simple transportation and you are thinking of bypassing it, ignore it, just dont do any fancy tricks and expect a bouncy ride.

Hello,

I have a 94 deville and went on ebay to get adealer service manual.
It can save you thousands.

If you already changed them please ask for the old struts becasue most likely they are OK. I'll buy them off you.

I just looked up service ride control in case it is not too late.
Some times it goes on for very minor reasons like a fuse or a loose sensor.

The dealer would rather change the struts that a fuse.
Then when it goes on again they will say change then again.

The quickest way to reset the codes is to take off the battery connector
and then re-attach the battery. If your lucky that message will not reappear.

Also you can check the stored codes in the computer and I can tell you exactly what the problem is.

To test the stoed codes turn on the car, keep it in park.
Now near the heat/AC console press the off and warmer (red) buttons together for 5 seconds and watch the dash.

Write down any number it flash. When it's all finished press the auto button or turn the car off and on to return to normal operation and leave onboard diagnostics.

You can e-mail me the codes if any and I'll check the book.
sales@custom-uniforms.com

I have saved thousands with the dealer service manual.
I got it on ebay for $30.00.

Please advise, Terry

Hello again,

I read up a little more for your sister.
Ask her if when she turns on the car if any other numbers apperar on the dash at first start up or if it's just the service ride control alone with no other problem codes ever coming up.

If no other numbers come up then her problem is very very minor and simply clearing the codes will do it. There is a proper way to clear the codes hard to describe in an e-mail but removing battery cables from battery is a short cut.

Let me know what other codes appear already, if none appear do a proper code check as my last e-mail describes. There are many minor reasons for this message to appear. My Cadillac dealer refused to look at the manuals, they don't even have them.

They recommended that I change the motor to fix a problem in my other car a 1990 fleetwood and I had to almost force them to change my trottle position switch, a plastic $50.00 part that my codes said was a problem. The onboard computer diagnostics was right and they were wrong.

A dealer service manual often found on ebay is a good investment for any Cadillac owner.

Please advise, Terry

Thanks for your information. I will past this to my brother and get back to you.

I have a 1994 Cadillac Deville ~ was having problems with the a/c & had a friend with a service manual (very unfriendly service manual). He messed with the computer codes & I believe messed is what I got. Where can I get the appropriate codes for my auto? I believe the PCM codes were missing. This has been a struggle & outside of taking this to a Cadillac service dealer (which would probably cost me an arm + 2 legs), I've searched endless internet hours trying to locate codes. Can you help me out? My email address is TKSchulte@aol.com. Thanks in advance!!!!!!!!!

I replaced the computer controlled struts with Passive (most cars have these) struts. I get the same message you are getting. There is a plug in on top of eaach strut or shock (on the back) you might check to make sure these plug ins are clean. My right front strut went bad and I had to replace it or live with a real bouncy ride. When I found out the cost of these computer controlled struts I went searching for a alternate strut and found this place that makes passive strutts. I bought both fronts and both rear air shocks delivered for about 500 bucks. Now it rides good but no quite as nice as with the computer controlled ones. But it's a 94 and 2000 is a lot to spend to replace your struts and shocks. http://www.strutmasters.com/cadillac/index.htm I called them and they were very helpful.
Good luck,.

monroe also makes replacement struts both passive and electronic i have installed replacement ones on several caddies and they work fine but light is still on on dash there are procedures to disabling it it think a break-out box may be required go to a reputable aftermarket service venue and they should be able to fix you up
or email me

I Also Have A 93 Deville And Have Air Struts In The Rear I Bought Them From Pepboys In California Were I Live For 131.00 Plus Tax For Two Of Them And They Work Great,and For The Front They Are 135.00 Plus Tax.