2003 won't start! HELP!!

[collapsed]

OK so, I have a 2003 Cadillac CTS with 92,000 miles, and not under warranty anymore. It has run perfectly until recently. In fact, it still runs flawlessly, but is having difficulty starting.

SYMPTOMS:
When I turn the key to start the engine, it cranks for a few seconds and then quits. In the past few days, if I would let it sit for a while and try again 10-15 minutes later it would start, but would slightly hesitate. After turning over, it runs perfectly as it should.

Now, I changed the air cleaner about 4 months ago, so I know that it is getting air. In fact, it began to get better gas mileage as a result.

The battery is fully charged, and will allow me to attempt to turn it over repeatedly. Even testing the battery, shows that it is fine. Thus, the engine is getting fire. So we're good here.

I recently filled up at a gas station in a questionable part of town, and fearing that I may have gotten some bad gas, I added a bit of Drygas to the tank, and a few fresh gallons of 93 from a gas can in my garage. Just to be sure.

So it has Fuel, Air, and Fire. All good!

What then could it be?

I am in need of an oil change in the next week or so. My car reads 12% Engine Oil life, but this should not be the problem.

Could it be the fuel filter? I would assume that it should be good 92,000 miles.

I would suspect the fuel pump; however, one would think that this problem would be more persistent than intermittent, as it is.

Please Cadillac Forum, give me some insight! As this is my only vehicle, and can not afford to miss work due to an inoperable vehicle.

Thanks in advance, everyone!

[urbanski]

crank position sensor

[the cadillac kid]

Originally Posted by user info

Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: MI
Age: 28
Posts: 257

search will bring up a lot of threads regarding starting problems with the CTS. especially the 3.2L.

crankshaft position sensor is what most people have a problem with.
use the search feature.

[the cadillac kid]

Originally Posted by urbanski

crank position sensor

way to sneak a post in as i'm typing

[Sammy Z]

I 2nd or 3rd that, It's got to be the Crank Posittion sensor. The part costs about $65 at the dealer, you can probably install it yourself although you need Torx sockets not bit, to install it.

[collapsed]

This place is awesome!

20mins and already have a precise diagnosis!
Sorry for not using the search feature, but now this thread will be another for future users to see.
$52.99 at my local dealer, and about to call a few other places.

Anyone have any comments on the difficulty of the sensor replacement?


More info for others with this issue:
http://www.cadillacforums.com/forums...sometimes.html (03 CTS won't start - sometimes)

[the cadillac kid]

there are a crap ton of threads about it. i think one of them includes a diagram of its location too. if you think you can do it, then you'll be saving a lot of money; dealership charges a lot for the labor for this problem/swap.


have you considered becoming a supporting member? $5 bucks helps this site running--helping you & others save lots of money.

[Caddy Man]

crankshaft position sensor. I recently had this problem at 82,000 miles. Car would function fine, then I'd park, run into a store, come out, and engine would crank but would not turn over.

[bracester]

I just fixed this recently...your golden with the crankshaft position sensor...I got mine off of gmpartsdirect for $38 including shipping.

[Bull]

I posted about a month ago on this very topic, you are going through what I am going through. This is my "for fun car" so I have not yet put the crank position sensor in. Up to the point that the fine folks on this forum told me to change the CPS, I had done everything fuel filter, air filter, etc. etc. dealers are no help at all, it had no codes! let me know how your swap out goes.