Questions and Answers

Cadillac Deville No Start Warm Q. Hello, Thanks in advance for your advice. I have a 1991 Cadillac Sedan Deville. It has the 4.9 liter engine. Within the past week, there have been three occasions when it would not start. Turn the key and it does not engage the starter. I wait a few minutes, try it again and it starts.

This has only happened when it has been sitting for 30 minutes to an hour after being driven. It has never happened first thing in the morning when it was cold, nor immediately after the car has been running. I can turn it off, and it will start right back up.

I'm pretty sure it is related to theft deterrent system that recognizes the chip built into the key. Last year the chip came out of my key, and the car did exactly the same as it is doing now. I've tried my spare key, so I don't think it is the key itself, rather the system that recognizes the chip. I'm pretty sure the starter is not being energized.

I've tried turning on the headlights during the time when the car won't start. They light up okay. When I turn the key to the start position, the headlights do not dim at all, so I'm pretty sure it is not a battery connection or low battery.

Thanks again for your help,
Rick

A. I would say that it could very well be a starter going bad. What you need to do is check for power at the S terminal of the starter, purple wire, with a test light. If it lights, everything is fine and the starter is bad. Then give the starter a few taps with a hammer and that will usually free it up and work again for a while.

If not, then you need to work back, checking for power with the key in the START position at the Neutral Safety Switch and Starter enable relay.