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No electrical?

Tiny
RANDYROD57
  • MEMBER
  • 2006 CADILLAC STS
  • 85,000 MILES
While driving my 06 STS 3.6L home the other day it shut completely down. No engine or electricals. It did this 5 times. Each time I pulled over and it started right up. The next day it started right up and drove like normal. Been working fine for a week now.
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 1:34 PM

47 Replies

Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
  • 52,797 POSTS
Start with a fuel pressure check. it may be seizing and if that the case, the fuel pump will have to be replaced.

This guide can help fix it

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Roy
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Tuesday, July 17th, 2012 AT 2:27 PM
Tiny
BRUCE53
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2005 CADILLAC STS
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 85,000 MILES
When I press the brake and Start Button, the dash goes black, but radio screen on and unresponsive, and will not crank/start at all(no clicking, no nothing). After 10-15 seconds, dash lights come back up as if car is running, but engine has not started. Battery is 6 months old. All interior lights and gauges appear to be working properly but radio display is stuck although radio working. Tried to jump the car but didn't work. Tried holding disconnected battery cables together for a minute, didn't work. Tried wiggling shift knob and starting in neutral, nothing changed. When I try to start I hear a click seemingly under the shift knob. I have had starting issues in the past but jumping always worked as did replacing the battery in June. Any ideas what this could be?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Hello,

I have seen this problem before the positive battery cable needs to be replaced here is diagrams and instructions below. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what happens.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE53
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
They all look good. Battery read high 12's.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Based on your description, you have a bad ground at some point. When you first try to start it, there is a heavy draw. That will cause a bad or corroded connection to lose contact. Check the ground to the engine block to make sure it is tight and clean. Have you replaced the cable?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
BRUCE53
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
OK. Thanks for the help, I got the new cable today and installed the problem is fixed. I love this site.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,747 POSTS
Glad you could get it fixed, that kind of problem can be tough. Please use 2CarPros anytime we are here to help.

Joe
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RCTAYLOR
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
Hello I have the same problem as Bruce with the dash going black at startup then coming back on 15 seconds later I've read that you recommended to him to replace the positive battery cable my question is would I still need to replace this cable if I jump the starter relay and verify the starter works that way
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,260 POSTS
Hello RCTAYLOR,

You have posted your question on a post that is over 9 years old. I really want you to get an answer for your question. Please re-post your question as a new question. For your convenience I am including the link.

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/new

Be sure you are logged into the site before clicking on the link and fill out as much information as possible.

Thank you using 2CarPros and have a great rest of your day!

Renee
Site Editor
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
  • 2003 CADILLAC STS
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 130,000 MILES
A friend that owns a shop working on diesel trucks. Air conditioner was working on my air conditioner and jumped a wire across something in the fuse panel and then it popped and everything shut down. I might point out that the car was running when it happened and then shut down. After that not a light or anything has power. What do you think I should start by looking at besides another friend and mechanic? I purchased a used computer today from the wrecking yard today out of a 2002 STS. What do I have to do to put it in my car or can I even install it in my car? Thanks guys for all your help.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
There are about four dozen computer modules on your car, but none of them are going to cause a total electrical failure. Do not jump on the unlikely and expensive stuff before you look at the simple things. Start with the fuses in the under-hood fuse box. Since I do not know what was shorted or what blew, start with a few voltage measurements. Check for 12 volts on the large bolted-on wire on the back of the generator. Also check on both sides of the large fuse that is usually bolted into the fuse box.

Visually inspect the large fuses to see if one is blown.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Thank you I will start there and let you know what I find. Thank you
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,616 POSTS
You are welcome please get back to us when you know something so it will help others.

Best, Ken
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
UP29BALNE1
  • MEMBER
  • 65 POSTS
Any way possible to get a wiring diagram of the ignition modules and the starter relay?
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,873 POSTS
The best way is to get a copy of the manufacturer's service manual. Don't waste your time looking for a Haynes or Chiltons for this because they don''t have electrical diagrams. You can also buy a subscription online for jut your car from the same companies the independent repair shops use. The common ones are Mitchell-On-Demand and AllData.

Also consider visiting the dealer. At the one I worked for, the service writers had the owners' blessings to photocopy a few pages for regular customers If they had the time. We did that for other dealerships in our area too.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KARL421
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2001 CADILLAC STS
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 70,000 MILES
Engine shuts down whike driving lose off dashbord loghts and gauges, engine will restart right away, this happens a few times a day.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
FACTORYJACK
  • MECHANIC
  • 4,159 POSTS
Only thing that comes to mind is an ignition switch, but that is just a guess. It would need to be diagnosed.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,616 POSTS
Hello UP29BALNE1,

I found these wiring diagrams for you. Please let me know if you need anything else.

Best, Ken
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
WAYDE1
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 1998 CADILLAC STS
  • V8
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
I drove my car last night, but when I came out this morning and turned the key, nothing. I tried to jump it using my 600 amp starter box and still nothing. I've left the lights on before and ran the battery down, but I've never had it show nothing inside the car when I turned the ignition switch. No dash light, radio, horn, or anything else works. When I turn the key, I can hear one of the relays inside of the fuse box under the hood make a faint clicking noise, unlike the noise usually heard from the starter relay when the battery is too low.

I'm thinking that it's one of the fuses or relays, but I can't figure out which one, of the many that this car has. Any help will be greatly appreciated.
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)
Tiny
MIKE H R
  • MECHANIC
  • 3,094 POSTS
Start at the battery to make sure it has juice, then Check all connections, especially the ground connections. Using a tester to see if you are getting power that feed into the main fuse box. With you getting nothing I am thinking that there is a wire loose or broken, preventing from the system getting power. Most times the connections on the battery terminals will cause the problem. With the faint clicking sound, I think it could be not getting a good ground
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Monday, July 6th, 2020 AT 11:57 AM (Merged)

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