Car wont start put a jumper box on it?

Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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  • 2009 CADILLAC CTS
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 164,000 MILES
When I first got this car they had to put a jumper box on it and it started just fine. It didn't have any sounds coming from the engine and when I pushed the start button, it started right up no hesitation. Well now that I have it home, I had to go buy a new battery for it, and now its just clicking really fast like there is a bad connection. I had checked to make sure there is no corrosion on the cables and everything is connected like it should be. What could be the problem. The lights and air will come on, but it just wont start, it clicks.
Friday, July 11th, 2025 AT 4:56 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
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Yep, this happens when the battery is bad, but you said you got a new one correct? If so it sounds like it is defective. Also, I would make the battery cables are clean and secure. This video can help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6YRW8fyNudY

Please go over this guide as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked

Please upload pictures or videos in your response so I can see what's going on.
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 10:35 AM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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Here are a couple of videos I hope this helps.
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 3:05 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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I just bought the new battery from Walmart, it sounds like it's getting power to it okay. And like I said when I first went to get it the guy put the jumper box on it and it started right away, sounded excellent. But I couldn't drive it cause the control arm was jacked up.
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 3:08 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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So I had to have a transport guy pick it up and he said that he tried to start it but couldn't ever get it started. Not sure what happened from after I started it until it got delivered but something has happened. So the control arm is now fixed, bought a brand new battery, and now it just clicks really fast when I try to start it. I had someone look at the starter, but he isn't a mechanic so I don't know if he really knew what he was doing or not. And yes I did clean the very little bit of corrosion that was on one of the cables. This just really sucks. I am trying to get moved and can't until this car gets fixed.
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 3:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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The way the dash goes out is telling me the battery is no good, even though it is new, I would get another, and make sure the battery cables are clean and well secured. Thanks for the videos they helped.
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 6:33 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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Do you really think it's the battery?
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Saturday, July 12th, 2025 AT 8:02 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It looks like you loose all electrical power when cranking correct? This is dead battery or bad connection at the battery. The only other thing I can think of is the engine or starter is locked up and it draws the power down. You might want to try rotating the engine over by hand this video can help.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oN42gZN6gOE

Please go over this guide and get back to us.

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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 12:22 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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So I had that battery checked and you're right it was a bad battery. But now it's a new one and it's still doing the same thing. Gosh this so frustrating.
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 1:00 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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And yes I lose electrical power, I can't tell really where the clicking noise is coming from but it sounds like it's coming from the area in the video I just uploaded. It does have a good battery, and it's got a good connection. Everything is clean as far as the connectors. It just makes no sense cause when I bought it, I myself heard the car run after that guy jumped it with his jumper box and it ran perfectly fine. The motor sounded brand new. And I get it home and now this?
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 1:06 PM
Tiny
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One other thing that is important to note, when I try to start it, the only time that the air, radio, and all the lights really come on, well that's not happening now. Maybe 2 times has everything actually ever came on, like the whole dash, otherwise it's not all coming on.
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 1:09 PM
Tiny
ASHLEY0839
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Now also, so this car has a push start button, but it doesn't look like it came from the factory, but on the key fob it's like a regular key fob, yes it has a key in the fob but that only goes to the doors. I'm wondering if this push start button is working right? It just doesn't look like something a factory would put in it.
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 1:12 PM
Tiny
KEN L
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It sounds like you found it, the aftermarket push button starts are not very good and fail often. I would remove it and put he wiring back to stock.
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Sunday, July 13th, 2025 AT 6:42 PM

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