Turning key does not engage starter

JESSE HUFFMAN

MEMBER
1994 CADILLAC DEVILLE
4.9L
V8
2WD
AUTOMATIC
160,000 MILES

I'm working on the car listed above. First of all the starter went out, so replaced it and in process found several wires in harness that goes to starter bare and touching. So taped every wire with industrial grade tape. Now battery is charged starter spins if crossed at solenoid all lights, leveling, etc. Are functional but when key is turned to start position one of the relays clicks but I can't tell which one it is. We did have some arcing of the bare wires before we got them all taped up but I'm wondering if the fuel pump relay is the problem and if so, which one is it. Also, the VATS has been bypassed, the ignition was broken so I replaced it about 6 mos ago and I wasn't going to pay $50.00 for a key after buying the ignition. So I tested key for resistance and located appropriate resistor in my electrical components box clipped the wires down at fuse box and soldered in resistor. Actually worked great and it only cost less than $1.00 instead of $50.00. Anyway, I can't locate a diagram, picture, or anything that shows the starter relay position. I would appreciate any help with this because it's my wife's car and she's not happy it isn't fixed yet. Thank you.

6 Replies

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello,

In the diagrams down below I have included a wiring diagram of your vehicle's starting system circuit and a diagram with callout of the starter enabling relay location. I hope that this helps. Please get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 1:51 AM

JESSE HUFFMAN

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4 POSTS

Thank you, that should help. I do appreciate it, I'll let you know how it goes.

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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 4:04 AM

JESSE HUFFMAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Well, spent any spare time today chasing wires and have eliminated several items from starting circuit, pulled and tested relays, I'm down to the starter enable. That's under passenger side dash, correct? Also going to check grounds, hopefully will have a good report tomorrow.

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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 8:20 PM

SCGRANTURISMO

MECHANIC
4,897 POSTS

Hello again,

It look like it's under the driver side dash, in the kick panel. In the upper left top corner of the diagram I sent showing the location of the starter enable relay, there is a vehicle with the general location on the vehicle you will be working in, and it looks like the driver dash kick panel area. Here is a link explaining how to bench test a relay below, if needed, and I have included a diagram in the diagrams down below of a 4 pin relay for you, for reference as well:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

Please get back to us with how everything turns out.

Thanks,
Alex
2CarPros

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Friday, November 15th, 2019 AT 10:44 PM

JESSE HUFFMAN

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Thank you for the information. I forgot an important fact that might help to troubleshoot the problem, this all started because the starter went out on the car, then when under the car I found all the bare wires. Now after taping all the wires up there are things working that haven't for a long time, auto leveling, power antennae, etc. And when you turn key on everything is working until you turn to start, then the dash goes out. I've tested relays and they all appear to be working, all fuses are good, I'm at a loss. Could it be neutral safety switch? Thank you.