I have personally had 3 cars that have done this that I thought for sure was a bad torque converter. One car ended up having a bad coil, the 2nd car had 2 bad coils and the third just needed plugs and wires as they were 21 years old and original.

So those would be the easiest things to rule out ...

Nick, I hadn't realized yours was Gina too? haha.

Not a fan of sleeping in Tran am front seats? They aren't quite AL7's.

SSEiMan01 wrote:

94SilverSSEi wrote:I'll plan on being there. Not sure what vehicle I'll have.....but I'll be there.
I second Nick's vote for an all in one meet.

I know what car you better bring!

Well yes....but the rolling camper would be nice too. That would require me to install the rain guards.

I'll plan on being there. Not sure what vehicle I'll have.....but I'll be there.
I second Nick's vote for an all in one meet.

Do you have any pics and mileage on the car?

Warning: This will be a long read with lots of pictures.

Since it seems most people are so afraid of working on the Northstar and I've gladly owned a number of these cars I thought it was time to create a how-to on their biggest issue......headgaskets.

I had a spare engine from another car than ...

Previous owner had Bosch plugs in my grandmas 1994 lesabre. Not even 400 miles on them and they were misfiring. I had always used NGK V-Power #3951. They work for lots of GM cars. 3.8, SBC, N* etc.

They are cheap. I've used them in over a dozen cars and never an issue.

I always use the "good enough" torque spec spin them all the way down and then a little turn till they get tight with the 3/8 ratchet.

Looks like you've got lots of spare parts if nothing else being the same color and all!

Wow! That thing looks awesome! Congrats on such a fine with low miles and welcome to the club!

Knowing full well how many issues may or may not pop up including what's already visible. I agree. No more than $1,000. It is a running/driving car but sounds like it needs lots of TLC.

Make sure that they reseal the midcase and oil pan. I would highly recommend Midwest Cadillac Repair. Did the inserts on mine and completely resealed the bottom end, etc for $1,000. Very happy with the repair.

Now to put it back in the car.

I could be off base here but when I asked at a cadillac shop they told me it was a waste of time to replace this solenoid while I had the drivetrain out because there is a seal that goes bad and that causes the solenoid to fail. I believe that was in regard to the TCC though? At which point he said ...

Not sure how far you are willing to drive. But I will have an 05 GXP for sale hopefully within the month. Have a new engine for it, bottom end and mid case completely resealed and inserts put in the block with new headgaskets done by Midwest cadillac repair. In process of swapping it.

Northstars ...

Is the seal on the radiator cap good? If it is torn or damaged that could be causing your problem? Does the temp gauge go up and come back down while running? If not maybe the thermostat is stuck? hows the coolant? If it isn't nice and clean I would flush it out.

That small wire never gets power but still. The starter SHOULD start the engine when I jump the terminal and all it does is make a buzzer noise.

Well I pulled the starter and cleaned the block and starter and bolts really well. No change. Tried beating it with a 2 lb sledge while trying to start it, it would make some noise but no start.

So I tried hooking up a battery charger to the small terminal on the solenoid and it would just make ...

Yes hooking the jumper cables directly to the starter. By swat it I assume you mean hitting it when trying to start it? If I hit the starter with the hammer while turning the key to try to start it sometimes we get a clicking/clunking noise but it will not turn the engine.

Thanks for the tip Ryan ...

Ground strap that goes to frame had a small bit of corrosion so we did remove that and clean it with no change.

The engine is definitely not locked up I had to turn it over to get the torque converter bolts in.

Had the key in the on/run position where it would be after the car is started. I ...