'03 Escalade intermittently won't start!

[schoony99]

Hi,

I have an '03 Escalade that intermittently won't start. It just started doing this in the last week. I was at the gas station and shut off the vehicle to fill up and when I got back in and tried to start it up it wouldn't crank. All lights and chimes were going, just no crank. I tried everything I could think of and then quit trying and spent approx. 30 minutes reading through the manual... after which I tried again and it started right up.

It has done this to me three times now and I am afraid to drive it anywhere.

I have read through other posts and have tried everything I could find. I checked the fuel pump fuses and they were all okay, I ordered a new ignition switch and installed it this evening, however the vehicle still won't start. I'm guessing if I let it sit for a couple hours it will start right up though.

Is there possibly a faulty security sensor or something? I used to drive an Alero for work and it had a faulty security system that twice did pretty much the same thing. It just wouldn't start for 30 minutes after it tripped. Anyone heard of anything like this on an Escalade? Any help is appreciated!

[canadiantowman]

this happened to a friend of mine and it was his starter wires,but he did have to replace the starter

[ZX_man]

have you checked battery voltage by chance? My girlfriend was having similar issues with her 03, I put my volt meter on it and it read 10.5. Needless to say I changed it out last week and no more issue. With the truck off batt voltage should be in the area of 12.2-12.5 with the vehicle on in the area of 14.0-14.5.

Walter

[hcvone]

It could be a cell starting to go in the battery, as said above have it checked.

[Boombotz]

Check for corrosion or loose battery terminals.

[DaveH28]

What does it do when it does not crank? You said all the lights, etc still work..

Does it click once? Click at all? Click repeatedly? I would check to make sure your battery cables are tight and corrosion free as suggested earlier, but other than that I would doubt it is a battery issue.. I believe the security setup on these trucks will cut the fuel off which will cause allow the vehicle to crank but not start - not what you are experiencing..

Depending on if it clicks or not you may have a starter on its way...

[lander14]

Did you ever solve the problem? I am having the same issue and am curious if you were able to fix your issue?

Nate

[Devil Dog 00026]

Don't forget the fuel pump... this happened to my son in laws 1999 Tahoe... quits or will not start. Let it sit for a couple of hours and it starts just fine until everything warms up... dealer replaced the fuel pump... solved the problem.

[lander14]

Thanks -- the Dealer checked the pump and said it was fine. I read on some other posts that the crank sensor can go bad -- I am going to have that checked tomorrow so hopefully that is the problem. Or else I guess there are just gremlins in the electrical system

[03Slade]

Did you ever figure out what the problem was? Our 03 is doing the same exact thing!! Happened twice within two weeks.

Thanks

[sk7]

The Alero was pretty notorious for Passlock 2 problems, just like the 1st generation malibu. Check for the security message to appear in the info window when cranking. If its there ur stuck! If not problem may be elsewhere. I doubt the crank sensor tho, as this is vital for the engine to run, if would show other issues while the engine is running and not only upon startup. Would be interesting to know if there is a click at the starter, or nothing at all?

[03Slade]

I don't think there is a click - just nothing. It starts now so I can't check for sure!! We found this on another site:

'We have yet to ID something that causes the passlock system to think it is being stolen, and cuts off the fuel flow. The only work-around that seems to work every time is to wait one full hour and then try, and it always starts. But waiting one hour is not very practical 99% of the time. I read someplace that when it malfunctions, you turn the key to the "on" position, and wait a few minutes, till the "security" light on the dash goes out, then it should start. But, wouldn't you know it, I can't get it to malfunction, so I can't test that work-around. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

This is true. Turn the key to the start position & wait 10 minutes. If you don't have kids making noise anyway, turn the radio off & listen. You can actually hear the thing unlock.

Anyone out there know what to cut to by pass the PassLock system completely??? I guess this is a common issue.'

So, I guess next time this happens we are going to try this.

Thanks.

[sk7]

The waiting period of 10 minutes with the key on is the reprogram feature. When replacing the ignition barrel, the resistance doesn't match the known value of the PCM, so the passlock is activated. Leave the key on for 10 or so minutes, till the security or theft light stops blinking and stays lit, key off. Wait a few seconds then on and system should be functionnal. This learn routine will not work on a defect passlock, where the resistance is sometimes not seen by the PCM.

I bypassed the passlock on my truck. Its the most reliable way of installing a remote start (no bypass relay needed), its a pretty non-effective theft system anyways, and I got a good aftermarket alarm. Add to that the fact that it sumtimes fail when not convenient, so it was an easy choice to make. Very easy to do I can post instructions how to do it if you have a good digital probe and got soldering wires experience.

Look for the theft or security light next time it happens. Keep us posted.

[03Slade]

Hey- thanks!!

You probably won't hear from me in a while since its working fine now. Last time it took 2 weeks to do it again. Anxious to see if thats the fix. Better than another $2,000 repair bill. Last month it was the differential, oh and the A/C compressor! It does have almost 180,000 miles on it though.

[sk7]

Milage might also be an extra hint pointing to the passlock (key cylinder wearing out). Cost to bypass the system about $2 for the variable resistor. Let me know.