Will not go in gear when started and sometimes it will not start?

Tiny
JTYLER63
  • MEMBER
  • 2013 CADILLAC SRX
  • V6
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 160,000 MILES
I drove it all day and then stopped at the grocery store and when I got back in the car, it would not start, but the dash lights came on. Kept getting the message "no key detected" and all dash lights were on, the battery light, ABS, park light and all was on. The key fobs would not do anything, not even lock or unlock the doors. I left it sitting overnight in the parking lot and when I went back the next morning, the car cranked up and went in gear. I drove it home and now it's sitting in my yard. I had replaced the battery and alternator, and car worked perfectly for a week before having all this trouble. Please help.
Friday, December 20th, 2024 AT 5:59 AM

9 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 49,555 POSTS
This sounds like the BCM is going out, but to be sure let's run a CAN scan which will have codes relating to the problem. You can get a CAN scanner (Controller Area Network) which will work on most cars from Amazon.

Here is a video to show you how:

https://youtu.be/u-4syLc-ifQ

If you do get codes for the BCM here is the location, I would unplug it and then plug it to check the electrical connectors for corrosion. If that looks okay, you can get a preprogrammed unit by searching Google or Ebay. Here is the location of the BCM. Check out the images (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Saturday, December 21st, 2024 AT 10:28 AM
Tiny
JTYLER63
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I cranked it this morning with the key fob and within 2 mins, it cut off by itself (may not have been 2 minutes, probably less). I tried to crank it again with the key fob and it didn't crank. I got inside and cranked it like I should have, and it cranked, but again, it wouldn't go in gear. I cut it off and waited a couple of seconds and cranked it again, this time all the light in the dash came on but when I put the car in drive and tried to move the car, all the dash lights went off.
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Saturday, December 21st, 2024 AT 1:48 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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I would do the CAN scan but it seems like the battery might be bad. Can I ask how old it is?
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Monday, December 23rd, 2024 AT 12:21 PM
Tiny
JTYLER63
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
I just bought the battery and also replaced the alternator, but I agree, it seems like the battery is dead. I plan on jumping the car or either charging the battery to see if I did get a bad battery. Thanks for all your time and help. I'll let you know if that works.
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Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 AT 9:29 AM
Tiny
KEN L
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Sounds good, happy holidays!
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Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 AT 11:18 AM
Tiny
JTYLER63
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Jumped my car today and it cranked. I put a brand-new battery and alternator on it a week ago so, don't know what made it do this. Merry Christmas to you and yours and thanks for your help.
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Tuesday, December 24th, 2024 AT 10:21 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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Did the engine crank over and run? If so, do you have any warning lights? It could have been a bad connection at the battery.

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

So, is the problem fixed or are we still working on it?
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Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 AT 1:40 PM
Tiny
JTYLER63
  • MEMBER
  • 8 POSTS
Still working on it because something had to ruin a brand-new battery.
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Wednesday, December 25th, 2024 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
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It could be a defective battery. This guide can help you as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-dead-overnight

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Thursday, December 26th, 2024 AT 11:54 AM

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