91' Starting Problem

[revdowrong]

Hey guys I'm having a problem starting my car, rather its hot or cold, it will not start on the first try....... Hell not even the 2nd, 3rd, or 4th try. Just the usual click sound then the starter will finally engage. My first starter did this when it was hot, so i replaced it three days ago. I never had this problem when it was cold, it will usually start on the first start with the old starter. Now that I replace the starter it takes 4-7 turns to finally engage the starter. The first day this happen I took the so called rebuild starter from ( god i'm going to this Autozone) to get it tested and guess what it pass. So I then put the starter back in my car and still the same problems. 2nd day i notice the pos. cable going to the starter was all mess up so I replaced it, still the same problem. Day three I break out the FSM and start looking for relays. Found the starter enable relay changed it out and had the same problem. Also found the Pass key relay which was stuck and took 30 min to pry apart, which i then replaced and still having the same problem. So today I got mad and took Autozone there battery and starter to be checked out and guess what they both passed again.

So my question is what is causing this to happen. In case your wondering all battery cables are new and corrosive free.I am having no problems with the pass key system or the neutral safety switch. Both the battery and starter checked out good. I also have no codes. My guess is the solenoid located on the starter but Autozone won't give me another starter all though i have lifetime warranty, but I will try again tomorrow. Oh and one thing I did notice about my starting wires is that I only have two wires, 1 pos. cable and 1 starting motor solenoid lead . I don't have the battery sensor lead, the FSM shows it but i don't have it on my car.

Please leave feedback guys

[cadillac_al]

The starter is not getting voltage full voltage from the battery for some mysterious reason. Have somebody hold the key to start while you remove the battery terminals and I'll bet it will find some connection. If not then there has to be a problem on the starter end. Try jumping the solenoid terminals with a screwdriver. I don't know if there is room to jump the solenoid with a screwdriver but there usually is a little room for this. If nothing happens then it definitely is not getting voltage from the battery. This is pretty straight forward stuff.

[Cream_Devil_91]

Howdy rev,

I've very recently had the EXACT same problem in my '91. You don't seem to mention anywhere that you've checked your alternator, a very vital component in all this. You're starter and all the relays/wiring were more than likely good to begin with!

Take it back to Autozone and ask them to run their battery/alternator tester on your car. I can guarantee he'll tell you it's the alternator. Got mine replaced with a reman'd AC Delco and the problem has disappeared.

[revdowrong]

Well i had the alternator tested and it was good. Today I got a 2nd starter and its a little better. The first starter i had I decided to open the solenoid up and the positive post was all messed up underneth. So they gave me a 2nd starter. I still get the clicks but not as many times. Sometimes its one click and then it starts. But i just don't get it, it should still start on the first try regardless.

[Cream_Devil_91]

Well heck I don't know then, I know I had the exact same symptoms as you and even got stranded once and had to get a jump. When I got the jump it started up perfect, better than it ever did before I got the alternator replaced. My battery was brand new so I knew it wasn't the battery. Hope you get things fixed and take care down there in San Antonio!

[revdowrong]

See funny thing is, is I gave my car a jump and it still did the same thing. I don't know i can't figure it out. I have to go to work at 4:30 p.m to 9 so tomorrow I'll figure it out again. I 'm just still stump about the whole thing.

[revdowrong]

Ok I think I found my problem I think I have a weak battery. Right now I tryed to start my car and I kept getting clicks and then it went blank. Gave it a jump and it started on the first try, did this 3 times and i had no problems. I even check the OBD on the car and I was getting 10.9 volts - 11.5. It never hits 12 or 13volts, looks like I going back to autozone to complain about the battery.

[maeng9981]

Check the voltage after you get a new battery. If you still get under 12 volts after you start up your caddy with new battery, consider checking the alternator.

[revdowrong]

Yep, I'm going to check the alternator again tomorrow along with my positive battery cables running from the main block and alternator. Voltage are still dropping, its funny the volts stay in the low 11.5 area and down.

[revdowrong]

Well the alternator tested out good today, so I'm going to take the starter off again and this time I'm going to get it from advance auto parts and see if that makes a difference. I also checked the battery cables and they where good also so I'm running out of ideas.

[cadillac_al]

I dunno, if a starter works on the bench it almost always works on the car. If it goes click then it is losing battery connection somewhere.

[revdowrong]

Alright guys I replaced the battery today and I'm still getting the same problem but now after i drive around and come back home it wont and it sits for awhile it wont start. It's just blank, blank, when I turn the ignition. Unless i get a jump then it's click and then start. I haven't had time to replace the starter again for the 3rd time. So any suggestion will be helpful. My FSM is leaning towards replacing the starter again but I dunno.

[Bowler807]

I had an old 86 Nissan 300ZX that acted the same way. What I found was corrosion on the negative battery cable where it connects to the frame. Another ground could be bad thus limiting both the voltage going to the starter and the current developed by the alternator. Your battery, starter, and alternator may very well be good.

Try this: take a jumper cable and connect it from the negative battery terminal to a good clean ground on the engine. After ascertaining the battery's charge, try starting the engine. If it works and the battery voltage across the terminals is around 14 volts, remove the jumper and again measure the voltage across the battery. If the voltage is different, you will need to locate and clean all of your ground connections.

[AMENCADDY]

Here is a truly wild idea. Possibly one of your pulleys, like the Air compressor could be locking up. Try removing the tension on the drive belt and see if the engine will crank easier then. or not! I had a problem like this and believe it or not it was because I had leaking fuel injectors and it was causing a Hydro-lock effect, only with fuel. I found that draining a little bit of oil, somehow relieved the problem and the car would start right up. (although Ranger finds this to be impossible that draining the oil was at all related). All I know is it worked for me. Of course, I still was leaving a cloud of vaporized fuel behind me, which you car doesn't seem to be doing!

[JTL1043]

Well it looks like you have Replaced or test all the cables and starter and Batt. Here a though . your caddie has a Security System in it Controled By relays Security Starter and KeyRElay .Watch your Dash Lights in the head light on mode Start out Dim and no radio or A/C fan after a couple of seconds all are on and bright all relays have ingaged . and security system will let the engine Start.If in your case you note the delay of the lights and fan Try TIPING ON RELAYS NEAR a/c dryer under hood Passinger side other relays behind park Brake on fire wall . cleaning all the grounds is also great Ideal . Also is your leveling system Working or just running BAtt. Down.If the leveling system is running quit offten it will drain Batt.
Hope you get it Licked
John