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Engine wont turn over?

Tiny
RYAN4921
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CADILLAC CTS
  • 50,000 MILES
It will try and turnover but seems like it just doesnt have enough juice. After trying a couple times it looked like there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. This happened after I drove it the night before and everything was normal.
Saturday, November 26th, 2011 AT 5:12 AM

28 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Was the smoke from the starter? It sounds like it went bad bu to be sure this guide will help

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down this guide and report back.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Check the connections at the battery, the positive battery cable, and the starter itself, for signs of thermal damage. If there is a burnt electrical smell, visually check the underhood fuse block/electrical center as it houses the starter relay. It is the same start schematic for either the 2.8/3.6 or the 6.0 CTS-V. The 6.0 is a little harder on starters due to the proximity to exhaust heat.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
RYAN4921
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks, I'll check that out this weekend. Any idea how much it'll cost if I have to replace anything? Not sure where the smoke was coming from. It just smelled like something electrical was burning and didn't last very long.
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
It will vary in price, depending on what you have to replace, and what diagnostics might be needed. Have you tried to start it again, perhaps even tried to jump start. Are there any other symptoms in addition, that may point to a general area. The thing about electrical, is often times when a thermal failure occurs, the smell remains. It is a very strong, and very distinct odor. Do you have an odor that is still evident?
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Tuesday, May 2nd, 2017 AT 4:27 PM
Tiny
MRIGENE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2005 CADILLAC CTS
  • 80,000 MILES
After turning the key our car keeps turning over and starts eventualy. We were told it sounds like the fuel pump. Could it be that the fuel pump isnt holding pressure or is this another problem other than the fuel pump.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
The first thing I would check would be fuel pressure. It may be taking the pump too long to build pressure.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GOALIEFORLAX
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2005 CADILLAC CTS
  • 11,500 MILES
Switched blower relay with starter relay did not work
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check if you have power going in and out of the park/neutral switch-if none check the ignition swith
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
CADIEMAN
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,544 POSTS
Check for start signal at the starter seloniod when holding in crank pos.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SPITLY296
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CADILLAC CTS
  • 3.2L
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 67,000 MILES
Engine Stated To tremble And Make Funny Sound And Then Made A Low Pop And Quit Running. It Will Not Crank Now At All. Got Any Idea's What Might Have Gone Wrong?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
When you crank the engine, does it sound normal?
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GKUNTZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2004 CADILLAC CTS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 38,000 MILES
Car was stored inside, last driven 1.5 months ago. Original battery went dead, replaced with a new one. Car will not turn over and key will not come out of the ignition without tripping the release spring under the stearing column. Lights turn on, battery voltage ok. Does it need some special programming and can we do this ourself? Thanks
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
The manual doesn't say anything about a reprogram after battery replacement
You can try disconnecting both battery cables and touching them together for about 30 seconds, and reconnecting. If that don't work, I would suggest a dealer to have the bcm reprogrammed.
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Friday, June 19th, 2020 AT 12:48 PM (Merged)
Tiny
GBURTON76
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 189,000 MILES
I have a 2003 Cadillac CTS, The car was running with no issues, the engine light was on but when I had it checked I was told it was the thermostat and I should not worry about it unless the car starts running hot. The thermostat was replaced less then 6 months ago.

When I went to start the car this morning, All the power came on radio head lights etc etc, but the engine will not crank. I purchased a new battery and no change.

I had the oil changed less then 60 days ago from sears. The car has always ran synthetic oil.

So when I turn the key, the start-up procedures occur there is no error lights that stay on, the car receives power from the battery, but when I crank it all the way it is silent.

Any Suggestions.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 48,363 POSTS
Hello,

Is the security light flashing? If so please use this guide if not continue on

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-reset-a-security-system

It sounds like a classic starter motor that has gone out. Here is a couple of guides to help you test and replace the starter motor.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Please run down these guides and report back.
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:51 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RHYNOD23
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
2003 Cadillac CTS

I recently bought an 03 cadillac cts. I'm having a problem with it starting. It seems like it usually only happens when the engine is warm. It will crank and crank and crank, but never turn over. I'll let it sit for 15-20 minutes, then go back and it will start right up. Any ideas what this could be. I'm a broke college kid, so i'm trying to get an idea without having to spend too much out of pocket. It's also died a couple times while ideling at stoplights, then I have this starting problem as well. Thanks!
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Lets do below for a start to determine if its fuel or spark related issue and get back asap.

Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 away from ground-have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors and computer Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMMIE SLICE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 65,000 MILES
After I replaced the alternator, the car wouldn't star it would make a clicking sound.I finally got it to turn over, a few times then back to clicking sound. I had it towed to a mechanic, he changed the starter and it still won't turn over. Possible problem engine frozen? It didn't lose oil, didn't heat up, I feel there is an electrical problem. He is my local mechanic not the Cadillac dealer. Is it possible that the engine is frozen?
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
It sounds like you have a security light flashing or the starter relay is out. Here is a starter wiring diagram and a guide to help us see what's going on.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Here is the starter wiring and relay locations (below)

Check out the diagrams (Below). Please run some tests and get back to us.

Cheers
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)
Tiny
SAMMIE SLICE
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
It won't crank over at all, just the clicking sound. When the starter won't engage it makes no sound so I checked the relay like you said and it was burn up, I replaced it and everything started working ya!
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Saturday, June 20th, 2020 AT 10:52 AM (Merged)

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