Cadillac Repair: no startt, bowling alley, strog

Question
HELP.......... Bill,
I have a 96 SLS, and this past weekend it was driving well, although I notice that when it turn the engine over it makes a strange noise from the belt and pully area while trying to crank. On Sat night I went bowling in which the car drove fine to the bowling alley, after being in there for 1.5 hours I came out to start the car and there was just a clicking sound, which I knew to be the starter. The starter jumps out strog but doesn't turn over the engine, (FYI batt volts read 11.5v) I as wondering by chance is it the starter or the engine done locked up on me, but as i continue to try and start I noticed a burning smell. Also prvious to this somtimes I would turn the key and get no sound in which I assume was a fautly vats key cause I would somtime wiggle the key and they car would then turn over. Please help me in determining my problem, cause now it says nonthing....

Answer
Hi Tamone,

       There could be several problems acting up and combining to make the problems you have. Lets take things one at a time.

       The battery if it reads only 11.5 volts is too low and with the cold weather we are having might not start the engine. So if the battery is over 4 years old I would recommend replacing it. Sometimes what happens is the battery cable can loosen up or get some corrosion built up under the cable ends so remove both cables from the battery after making sure they were tight and clean any corrosion you find. Don't be surprised if the positive bolt won't unscrew and you have to replace the battery and cable end or bolt because of corrosion.

      Once the battery is new and cable ends are clean and tight the engine might start as normal. If not then you will need to determine if it is a key problem...try the other key or if you still wiggle the key then the lock cylinder needs to be replaced or a resistor wired into the 2 white wires at the base of the steering column.

      Also try starting the engine in neutral...maybe the neutral safety switch is bad. If your engine has over 75,000 miles then the starter might need to be replaced. If you have the 4.9 engine then it would be easy to use a testlight or voltmeter and see if ignition voltage is available at the starter purple wire. If it is then you will need a starter. If you have the Northstar then there is a single wire connector at the front of the rear head that you would disconnect and test for voltage with the key in the start position. If it has voltage but doesn't make a sound then it would be best to have your mechanic replace it because it is under the intake manifold.

      With the noises coming from the belt area I like to remove the serpentine belt and run the engine and see if the noise is still there or gone. If it is gone then turn the engine off and turn the pulleys to see which one is noisy. Pay particular attention to the alternator and the a/c compressor. If one of the pulleys are locked up the engine might not turn over so if the engine now cranks with the belt off look for a locked up pulley.

     Try those tests and hopefully there will be some thing(s) that you will be able to fix yourself. Bill