Note On Intermittents

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 1992 Cadillac Fleetwood and 1992 Cadillac DeVille. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

DO NOT attempt to diagnose Code E53 unless driver complains of stumble, stall, miss or other driveability conditions which could be caused by loss of spark or fuel. Code E53 can be caused by:

Loss of ground on circuit No. 453.
Loss of battery power to BAT terminal of distributor.
Pick-up coil has an intermittent short, open or poor connection at module.
Improperly seated PCM connector terminals and improper mating to PCM connector.

Fig 1: PCM Code E53, Schematic, Distributor Signal Interrupt

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Fig 2: PCM Code E53, Flow Chart, Distributor Signal Interrupt

Courtesy of GENERAL MOTORS CORP.

Fig 3: PCM Code E53