Car shut off while driving and will not start after driving with all fluid either low or empty

Tiny
TYLERWARNER
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 CADILLAC SEVILLE
  • 4.6L
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 80,000 MILES
About a month ago my car stalled out on me while I was driving. I didn't bother to check the engine after it stalled out on me because had to tow it immediately right after. I checked the engine a couple days ago and there was no oil, no transmission fluid, no coolant and nor did I see any cracks in the engine for there not being any fluids in the engine. I put all of the fluid in the engine a couple days ago and I charge the battery 12.1 volts. When I try and start the car, the starter clicks but it is not fully completely turning over to be able to start the car. I am needing assistance to be able to fix it myself.
Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 2:50 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KASEKENNY
  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
It is troubling to hear all the fluids being low or empty so we need to try and make sure the engine can actually turn over.

We need to put a socket and ratchet on the crank bolt and see if the engine will actually spin. You should be able to spin the engine relatively easily so if you cannot spin the engine by hand then the starter will not be able to spin it either as it is locked up and will require replacement.

Let me know if you can spin it by hand and then we can go to the next step. Thanks
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 2:59 PM
Tiny
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The belt is on and while it being on I pull down with a wrench on the crankshaft and tried to spin the engine but it would not spin all the way around just about an inch forward and an inch backwards.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 3:21 PM
Tiny
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Okay. If that is the case then the engine is seized or locked up. Unfortunately that is not good. That means there is metal on metal and most likely it is a piston on the cylinder wall or a seized bearing. Again, based on this info, the only way to repair this is to tear it down and rebuild it or replace it.

Sorry I didn't have better news.
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Tuesday, March 24th, 2020 AT 3:53 PM
Tiny
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Sorry about that. I am actually messing with my car a little bit and I tried it again and yes I can turn it. It was fairly easy the belt was just a little attached to it for it not wantinf to move. But yes, it does move easy.
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 11:19 AM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
  • 18,907 POSTS
Okay. If the car turns over by hand but the starter just clicks that is either a weak battery or the starter has failed.

Seeing as how it was starting before but you had to charge the battery, I suspect you have a battery issue rather then a starter issue. We need to do what is called a load test on the battery. Can you remove it and take it to a parts store and have them load test it and see if it fails. If it does, we need to replace the battery and retest the starting. If it still just clicks then it is a a starter issue.

Here are some guides that covers this information:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
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Wednesday, March 25th, 2020 AT 12:03 PM

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