Not starting....

1732 Views 9 Replies 6 Participants Last post by donclericuzio, Dec 7, 2005

caddycruiser

Discussion Starter · Oct 5, 2005

When I was home for Labor Day weekend, went to start the FW, put the key in and turned--nothing, just all the lights. Took it out, turned it again, nothing, just lights. Same thing the third time. Told my father, he went out, turned it, and it started up perfectly. Proceeded to turn it off and on several times to see if he could get it to "not start" like it had for me, but it continued to seem fine. Decided it should be fine and I went on my way, didn't have a problem.

Fast forward to this past weekend, where, after my brother had apparently pulled the car up in the driveway to wash/wax it, he got back in to back it up, but it wouldn't start. Apparently took my father 6 more tries until he got it to fire--just would hear a click and see all the lights come on.

The battery is still fairly fresh and has a very high rating, and he checked out the battery terminals, and said they seemed okay too, if maybe a little funny where they go back to the engine--but he wasn't sure, since it's hard to see. Anyway, put it up on the stands and started digging for the starter, upon which it looks like it's the original from 12 years and 102k miles ago.

Ordered a new one from Parts Plus for $120 and should have it by Thursday....we'll see if that actually solves the problem.

Just felt like posting that....comment as you wish

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90Brougham350

· #2 · Oct 5, 2005

Had the same problem the day I went to buy my 90 at the dealership. Was a poor corroded ground connection to the block. $8 easy fix.

Brian

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caddycruiser

Discussion Starter · #3 · Oct 5, 2005

That very well might be the culprit, because he said, though it was very hard for him to see, something with the connections to the block looked "funny".

Either way, he's apparently gonna go the new starter route for now and install it himself. Apparently, if that doesn't work, he's going to return it for a refund and go to the next possibility....can you tell he's kind of a weirdo?

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caddycruiser

Discussion Starter · #4 · Oct 5, 2005

90Brougham350 said:
Had the same problem the day I went to buy my 90 at the dealership. Was a poor corroded ground connection to the block. $8 easy fix.

Brian

Then again, what exactly needed to be fixed/replaced for that issue?

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ocjmakaveli

· #5 · Oct 5, 2005

caddycruiser said:
Then again, what exactly needed to be fixed/replaced for that issue?

just replace the ground cables

They usually get corroded not allowing the current to pass as it should and it'll give wierd problems.

check you ground cable and if you see any corrosion or rust then replace them I doubt it is the starter but it could be if the starter is starting to go faulty it may not want to run how it should.

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caddycruiser

Discussion Starter · #6 · Oct 5, 2005

Okay guys, thanks. I'll have to give him a ring and offer the suggestion before he goes ripping it apart and installing anything new--especially since he already has gone to the trouble of also buying a new wrench so he can remove some support thing underneath to get to the starter.

It's never had a problem until recently with starting, so I hope it really is something cheap and easy.

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coleman

· #7 · Oct 5, 2005

caddycruiser said:
When I was home for Labor Day weekend, went to start the FW, put the key in and turned--nothing, just all the lights. Took it out, turned it again, nothing, just lights.

I have the same problem.

Im my case, the spring contacts in the ignition that press against the resistor in the key appear to be loose. I just wiggle the key around some, try again, fires right up. I really should fix that, but column work is just not fun at all...

I wouldn't go and install a new starter if it's working fine half the time. Seems FAR more likely to be an electrical connection somewhere, such as the key or grounds.

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brougham

· #8 · Oct 5, 2005

It can easily be the starter. That's how mine died- when it got really bad every time you tried to start it nothing happened and then after you did it a few times it finally worked. Just because it works properly some of the time doesn't mean there's nothing wrong with it.

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caddycruiser

Discussion Starter · #9 · Oct 6, 2005

Again, true--I just want to make sure all the angles are covered, or at least thought of before anything gets torn into.

Then again, it very well might be the starter, and that should be in any day now.

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donclericuzio

· #10 · Dec 7, 2005

my 1995 STS acts up as well and I need help BAD!!! First off she has about 189K on her and I paid $4040.00 exactly for it two years ago, when she had 162K on her, did a tune up and new exhaust when I first got it, was told that I needed new mounts then, never got around to doing, the dogbone style ones up top are showin some wear, My tranny was acting up reving hard into second, and always wanting to slam back down to like 1500rpms right when you let up of the gas, even at interstate speeds, Im pretty sure the tranny needs some work. About a year ago, I had a problem where it wouldnt start at all, I ripped apart the steering column thinkin it was the ignition swith, wasnt that, so I had it towed up to Cadillac where the said the transmission transponder switch was messed up and the car couldnt tell wheather it was in park or drive. That was $450 right there. Now present day im stuck with the same dilema, go to start it and nothing no wanting to start or even a turn over, it just clicks from under the hood, like the something is relieving presure, (have yet to get the recall fixed on the fuel rail) Sometime though about a month ago, it would go in and out, like go on a streak where it would start for like 3 or 4 days and then go on a 2 week streak of not starting, and now its been sitting for atleast 3 weeks on its longest sitting period to date. Im pretty sure but not positive its not the starter, not the alternator, replace the battery today, and Im clueless what it could be. I can pull up trouble codes but most of them arent on the online look-up thing that everyone on here uses. If anyone can share info that will help I would appreciate it. Someone also said something about the ignition coil?? INPUT NEEDED!! had similar problems like you and your father, except no matter how long I try, it still wont start.

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