Questions and Answers

Cadillac Sedan DeVille No Guts, No Glory Q. I have a 1992 Cadillac Sedan DeVille, which I purchased new in California. It is fully equipped, with a 4.9 liter fuel injected V-8 engine and automatic transmission. It has only 65,000 miles and has had the fuel filter replaced at 60,000 miles. For several years now it has had a problem that seems to be getting worse.

On hot days, now at temperatures above 77°F, and after driving for about an hour, if I have to slow down or stop, the car fails accelerate normally, taking minutes to again reach cruising speed. After about another half hour of driving it will not accelerate at all. During the initial problem period, it also stalls if I press the accelerator hard to use the passing gear.

The problem is not evident during the cold winter months here in Minnesota. While my suspicions are a fuel pump or computer chip that are malfunctioning when they get hot. Your expert opinion, and recommendation for correction of this problem will be much appreciated.

A. "Cold winter months". Surely you jest. It doesn't get cold here in the winter. At least not in Rochester. At 20° I still wear shorts and a tee shirt. At -10° I close the bedroom window at night. Anything lower than that is when I put my sweater on.

Anyway, Before I go replacing expensive parts, I would try starting with a cheap part. Like the Coolant Temperature Sensor (CTS). This is probably what is bad.

Top Center of engine, near Distributor