Intermittent starting issue

Tiny
BLOWOUT
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC CTS
  • 1.4L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 88,000 MILES
Sometimes just get a clicking noise, like battery was drained, let it keep clicking and eventually it may start. Other time it may work fine and be good for several days. I tried to to start it last night and it just clicked. Put the charger on it for about twenty minutes and it started clicking and then it turned over and started. I never know when it is going to start or click.
Wednesday, March 28th, 2018 AT 2:23 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
It sounds like the battery is getting weak is it more than 3 years old? Here is a guide to help you load test it.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken
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Friday, March 30th, 2018 AT 10:51 AM
Tiny
BLOWOUT
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
No the Battery is less that a year old but that was my first thought so I took it back to AutoZone and they checked my battery and alternator and starter and they all tested okay.

I do not drive much and sometimes a week will go by without starting my car. It started out that I would try to start and it would just stutter click and then it would turn over and start. But it progressively got worse, to the point that I am scared to go anywhere for fear of getting stranded. So I bought a portable jump starter and carry in the car all the time. Have used it once. But I am not sure if it was the jump starter or the car just decided to start. If it turns over it starts.

I have a feeling that it is a sensor problem as I have also been driving down the highway and the motor stops running and then restarts on its own. This has happened two or three times. If I take my car back to the shop it will probably cost me $500.00 for a problem that I could fix for the cost of a small part or a fuse. Could it be a starter solenoid?
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Friday, March 30th, 2018 AT 11:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 47,347 POSTS
The starter would not make it stall while driving I still think the battery is bad. I would swap the AutoZone battery which can have an intermittent internal short and get an AC Delco battery. It explains all of the problems you are having.

Can you do this test and tell me what happens.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

Leave your headlights on for thirty minutes.

Let me know
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Saturday, March 31st, 2018 AT 11:46 AM

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