Cadillac Repair: cadillac sts shutting off, negative battery cable, cadillac seville

Question
hey rob

I have a 99 cadillac seville sts , some times when i turn the key nothin will happen, sometiem the dash will flicker and go on or just stay off adn when im driving sometimes the car will just shut off, the battery is good , sometimes i hear clicks coming frm behind the dash, like i said everything will be good then the car will jsut shut off and refuse to start? i will turn th key back n forth and the odd time it might catch ? any hlp would be appreciated


Answer
Hello,

First I will tell you this is not a VATS problem from your description so if you think it is stalling and not starting because of the anti-theft system, its not.

It sounds like a connection problem somewhere. The clicking is being caused most likely from a relay.

This may be very difficult to find because it is intermittant.

When it stalls and you lose all power, do you lose the radio presets? This would mean battery power to the vehicle is being shut down. I am not saying it is a battery problem, but a power problem.

If you go under the dash on the driver's side, at the firewall you will find a bulk head connector with many wires attached. There is a 7/16 head bolt that holds the bulkhead together. Disconnect the negative battery cable. Unbolt the bulkhead connector and pull the passenger compartment side under the dash off. Look at the connectors and make sure there is no green from moisture. Spray with electrical contact cleaner and reattach.

That is the first place I would look. Replace negative cable on battery and take the car down the road. If that doesn't do it, check the positive cable at alternator for being tight as well as body feeds at starter.

I am just guessing and without being at the vehicle I have no way of diagnosing, but I hope my suggestions help.

Good Luck!

Rob