I get back in the car, turn the key and nothing happens, no clicks or anything?

JOSH515

MEMBER
1991 CADILLAC DEVILLE
V8
FWD
AUTOMATIC
137,000 MILES

Hi, I drove my car up the street and turned it off like usual. I get back in the car, turn the key and nothing happens, no clicks or anything like when your battery is low. I thought it was probably the starter so I replaced it and still the same thing, nothing. It seems like no power is getting to the starter from the key switch. So then I turned the ignition on and shorted out the cellanoid and the starter does turn the motor but it won't fire. Please help me. Thank You.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If you can get the starter to crank the engine by shorting out the solenoid and will not start. Test the ignition switch might not be powering the ignition system

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

No

+1

Sunday, May 31st, 2009 AT 7:15 PM

FACTORYJACK

MECHANIC
4,159 POSTS

What does the 'security' telltale light do? If it stays on solid while key is on, it is telling you you have a theft problem. More that likely the ignition cylinder leads are open. At the large connector at the base of the column there is two small wires in an orange sleeve. You can measure the resistance across these two wires(disconnected), in all ranges of ignition switch(run, crank). Sometimes you will have continuity in one range and not another. If it is open circuit at crank, it will not crank. Ideally, if you can measure the resistance of the key pellet, you will get the desired result that should be seen at the base connection.