Door lock and alarm problem 2016 CT6 Platinum

[TonyZappone #2624]

Perhaps someone will remember my poblem with the door lock remotes and buttons becoming inop on occasion, pretty much always after a rain.  The dealer in Albany has broken their hump trying to find this problem.  I will bug them no more.  If I could get a plug in diagnostic mechanism that would show the fault code, I could check it WHEN it happens, and perhaps the issue could be resolved.  My question is twofold:  can the mechanism be left plugged in all the time?  and, how expensive are these code readers?

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Most commonly available OBD scan tools I've seen primarily cover engine management and transmission functions. For a problem like this I think significantly more advanced equipment would be needed, such as what the dealership service department uses.

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the only way I see this getting addressed is for the problem to be present while it's at the shop. And hope it stays on the fritz long enough for them to diagnose the cause.

[Dave Shepherd]

Tony, you would need a professional level scanner that can access the BCM and other modules as well. Even if you can find one online, there is still no guarantee  it will work on the Cad. Most professional level repair shops would have one and could at least get any code in the system. Yes you can leave it connected, but when you shut the car down, it will loose communication. Look online for an obd11 scanner, then read the specs, make sure it mentions it can access bcm info for your car. EBay shows a bunch of them.

[TonyZappone #2624]

This is a very frustrating situation.  I have been living with it, but yesterday I couldn't get in the car.  Usually the buttons and remote become inop.  I had to take the cover off the lock, use the key, the alarm went off when the door opened, and things returned to normal once I started the car.  Crazy.  Problem could be related to when a chipmunk ate part of the harness, and caused a minor electrical problem a couple of years ago.  Situation is wearing me down

[CadillacFanBob]

I would say Snap-On scanner with 2018 software and newer would be able to read your fault codes in the BCM (body control module) I would also be very frustrated on your issue, once you have the fault codes that are stored, if you post them I would be willing to search the fault codes for information that may help you, as you know (being a retired GM dealer) many skill levels of technicians, and the one you need is a electrical specialist, and he or she must also WANT to help you and put all the knowledge to work, and they will have to have the car when it is acting up when problem is present, may require for you to be without your car for awhile, we used to get authorization from car owner for technician to drive car back and forth to work with test equipment connected to car so problem could be isolated when acting up.

I did remember seeing your previous post on this issue, BUT now it seems to be getting worse.

Bob

[Dave Shepherd]

Agreed on all points, that's how I did things as the SD at a Cad dealership on LI back in the day, late 90s.

[TonyZappone #2624]

The problem may have been different the other day: that reason being that nothing responded to the remote;, nor would the trunk button (outside, under the trunk lid) respond.  I changed the battery in the remote, the residing one read just 3 volts, the new one 3.34.  Maybe kidding myself, but I will see if this particular problem happens again.  Meanwhile, if that happened to the car when my wife had it, I might as well pack up and move out.  Trying to save the 2016 CT6, we only drive it when the van is being used.

[CadillacFanBob]

If battery was at 3 volts I would think would more than enough for remote fob to operate.

Bob