Car won't start please help

osurh18 · #1 (**permalink**) 11-18-08, 11:07 AM

Hey Guys,

I've got an '03 CTS that won't start. 3 weeks ago I went to get in my car after driving it 2 hrs before and it wouldn't start. The battery is fine. The car is cranking good but won't start. I tried for a few minutes and then gave up. I went out about an hour later and the car started without any problems. It has started great ever since until this past weekend. I had gone into a store and came back about 30 mins later and the same thing happened. After about 30 mins it started right up. Then again the next day but this time it wouldn't start at all. I had to let it sit overnight before it started again. I'm stumped! While the car is running it runs great. No hesitation or stalling. I do have a P0128 engine code that I have had for about a month. It is for the thermostat not getting to the proper temp. I think these things are not related. Please help. Thanks.

TotalEclipse31 · #2 (**permalink**) 11-18-08, 11:13 AM

Crankshaft Position Sensor, ALOT of threads about this problem. Inexpensive fix.

Sammy Z · #3 (**permalink**) 11-18-08, 11:26 AM

You can probably do the job youself, the sensor is under the car near the oil filter. It's difficult but not imposible to remove. You need to buy torx sockets (not bits) to remove the sensor. Sensor is about $60. 1 - 2 hours depending on your skills. And, yes there is a lot of info on this forum on that.

osurh18 · #4 (**permalink**) 11-19-08, 10:45 AM

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I went out and bought the part last night. I also searched through all of the posts about the crankshaft pos sensor and I could not find any with a picture or diagram of the location. Does anyone have this? or can lead me to the correct thread with the info. thanks.

Sammy Z · #5 (**permalink**) 11-19-08, 11:53 AM

Like I mentioned, it's under the car near the oil filter(attached to the crank housing). You can follow the wire up to the connector. The connector is at the rear of the engine. I had to lay on the intake and with a flashlight, you can see the connector. You may want to tie a string to it and pull it through, use the string to route the new one back in. I used wire ties to hold the new wire in place because I couldnot route the wire exactly as original. It's not easy but not impossible.

osurh18 · #6 (**permalink**) 11-20-08, 04:34 PM

Not a mechanic here, but I cannot find the sensor near the oil filter. Does anyone have a pic? Is it to the driver's side, passenger's side or the middle? Also does the connector come to the top of the engine? Is there a side that is better than the other to jack up to get to the sensor. thanks.

Sammy Z · #7 (**permalink**) 11-21-08, 08:43 AM

Jack up the drivers side. the sensor is more on the drivers side. The connector does go up to the top of the engine in the rear of the engine. It's been a long time since I did the job so i don't remember all the details. I've been busy at work or I'd slide nder there and take pics. Try to search on CPS or Crank position sensor again. If not, PM me.