[caddykid4life]

Hello, I have a 1990 Deville with 225,500 orig. miles. I went out to start it and it won't turn over. It doesn't even try to turn over. I tested the battery and it's good and charged. The connections aren't very corroided. All the lights work and my digital dash comes on with the "charge" light on. The starter makes no noises. The only noise is the door chime, and a clicking noise coming from the computer area under the dash when I try to start it. This problem happened over night. Is it the computer it self? Is the starter solinoid bad? Could it be a starter relay? Does anyone know what the problem may be? I truely appriciate any advice or ideas. thanks, troy.

 

[addison_ii]

The connections may be loose. There is a "plug" between the 2 positive cables and sometimes it stops the cables from making a good connection even when no corrosion is present. Also check all starter wires, make sure they are still connected and have a good connection. My 93 Deville did the same thing and all I did was replace the end terminals on the positive cables(without the red rubber surround and the plug)did not have a problem until the car was rear ended, but still started fine and drove it to the junkyard.

P.S. if you tap on the starter and she starts with no problems then it's time to replace the starter. hope the suggestions help.

 

[adalla]

The click you hear maight be from the solenoid. Sending a direct jumper from the battery to solenoid's positive terminal may help to start. Iused to drive the car that way for two years until I replaced the starter (and the solenoid) recently. The starter just does not get enough ampers from the battery due to variety of reasons (old starter, battery, cables, connections, grounds).

 

[Barndoor]

I have a 90 Deville that my mechanic said will need a starter soon. Have you replaced yours? Did you do it yourself? Mine will have the same symptoms as you describe but it has always started after a few tries. How much to replace a starter? Thanks Barndoor is out.

 

[caddykid4life]

Hello, the problem with my Deville appears to be the ignition switch. I've done some other tests and it still won't start. So I talked to one of my friends who's more mechanical savy than I, and he said this is exactly what his S10 pickup, and my S10 Blazer did- and the problem was the ignition switch. I'm going to replace it soon and will report to you guys then. Thanks for all the suggestions and clues, I'm not ordering the igintion switch for awhile so If there is any ideas not covered-PLEASE DO NOT HASITATE TO POST A REPLY!
Thanks and keep on Cadillacin'.

 

[adalla]

Problems with starting are often caused by bad cables, connections.

 

[gdwriter]

How much to replace a starter?

I paid just over $300 parts and labor to replace the starter in my '91 DeVille. Before mine went out there was a hesitation between the time I turned the key and the engine actually turned over, and when the starter died, nothing happened when I turned the key (except the warning lights came on). It didn't even try to crank. Tapping on the starter did nothing, either.

 

[adalla]

Reman. ACDelco starter is about $120 at Advance Autoparts. Replacing the starter on my 4.9 was not difficult. There is no need to remove exhaust manifold.

 

[TriodeGuy]

Back when I was a college student, I actually hot wired my old honda civic when the ignition switch went out and drove the car that way for a couple of weeks while I saved up enough money to replace the switch.

Basically, there's two connections that get made. The first is the one that gets made when you turn the key to the first position. This is the one that turns on the warning lights and puts the car in the "ready to start" mode. Once the switch makes this connection, it stays made the entire time the car is running.

The second connection is the starter solenoid, it's only a momentary connection that last as long as you've turned the key all the way clockwise. The switch is spring loaded so that the connection is broken once you hear the engine turn over and you release the key.

It could be that the ign switch contacts (for the solenoid) are dirty or badly worn such that it makes enough of a temporary connection that you'll hear the solenoid click, but not good enough of a connection to actually engage it. You might try spraying some contact cleaner (ala radio shack) in the ignition switch as a first try at a cheap fix. If this doesn't work you might want to invest in a service manual for your car so you'll know what connections to jumper for troubleshooting purposes.

 

[adalla]

"It could be that the ign switch contacts (for the solenoid) are dirty or badly worn such that it makes enough of a temporary connection that you'll hear the solenoid click, but not good enough of a connection to actually engage it. You might try spraying some contact cleaner (ala radio shack) in the ignition switch as a first try at a cheap fix. If this doesn't work you might want to invest in a service manual for your car so you'll know what connections to jumper for troubleshooting purposes".

A very good idea.