Car wouldn't start - had towed to mechanic -.

ANONYMOUS

MEMBER
1999 CADILLAC STS
46,000 MILES

Car wouldn't start - had towed to mechanic -engine turned over but hard start - found faulty relay and replaced both crank sensors - since repair still occasional hard start - takes 5 mins- turn key stop - then wait in between several times and finally starts - fear having to have car towed again

Separate electronics issue later - driver seat, door locks, fuel gauge, trunk, defroster stopped working - replaced BCM - all fixed but driver seat - why driver seat?

1 Reply

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

You really need to ask separate questions for those problems. It gets way too confusing to follow when talking about 2 different issues.

As for the hard starting, you're going to have to monitor some functions while trying to start it.

All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.

Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.

These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.

1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.

2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.

3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.

4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.

Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.