docnasty Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 I have a 2000 Cadiilac STS with about 95k miles. Here's my problem..this doesn't happen everytime, but just randomly, especially when it sits for a while over night or now that it's getting colder: When I go to start my car i try to turn it over and there's nothing. All I here is the click of the key. I do it again and nothing, then by sheer luck it starts up with no struggle. Sometimes it starts on a dime and other times it take a few turns and it starts. I have a brand new battery, and when I turn it over it doesn't make a struggling sound like it's the altenator. My battery volts are always at 14.8. Again when I try to start it it doesn't make a noise , but then it will start up after a few trys. There is no check engine light, all my lights and electronics work fine. Is it the starter? or could it be something in the ignition itself? Lookin for some ideas. It hasn't died on me yet so I'm delaying taking it to a mechanic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Texas Jim Posted October 8, 2011 Report Share Posted October 8, 2011 The first thing I would do is remove the battery cables and clean them REALLY WELL... The RED cable is actually TWO PARTS... separate it and clean both parts. It sometimes gets corrosion built up between the cables and causes what you are experiencing... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjb981 Posted October 10, 2011 Report Share Posted October 10, 2011 The starter motor assembly has two parts, the motor itself, and the "coil-gear-and-contact-for-starter-motor thing" (sorry, I do not remember what it is called, but I will call it "coil" from here on). What the coil does is that it connects the starter motor physically (by a gear) to the engine, and closes an electrical contact, so that the starter motor gets power. In more detail: When the coil gets power from the starter relay, which in turn gets power from the ignition when turned to "Start", it throws a little gear in place by electromagnetism, so that the starter motor is connected to the engine. An electrical contact is also actuated by the movement of the gear, so that when the gear is in position, the electrical contact closes and thus power the starter motor. As soon as you release the ignition switch, the gear is pulled back again, to disengage the starter (I believe by a spring). So, a fault in the starter relay will result in nothing happening when you turn the key, and this can be intermittent (it was for me, see the below threads). I suppose there could be an intermittent problem with the coil on the starter motor as well. See the below threads for more information, and good luck! http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=23391&st=0&p=153273&hl=relay&fromsearch=1entry153273 http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=34957&st=45&p=181433&hl=relay&fromsearch=1entry181433 http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=35210&st=0&p=181556&hl=relay&fromsearch=1entry181556 http://caddyinfo.ipbhost.com/index.php?showtopic=36886&st=0&p=186776&hl=relay&fromsearch=1entry186776 /Jonas Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KHE Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 If the battery connections are clean and tight, Try swapping out the starter relay with another relay in the panel. If that doesn't cure the problem, the issue may be the solenoid which is mounted on the starter motor. A starter and alternator rebuilder would be able to test this for you and replace it if it is bad for much less than the cost of a rebuilt starter. Kevin '93 Fleetwood Brougham '05 Deville '04 Deville 2013 Silverado Z71 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hjb981 Posted October 14, 2011 Report Share Posted October 14, 2011 Thanks KHE, solenoid was the word I was looking for. It was late and I was tired when I wrote my post. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.