GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only
Makes 🢒 Cadillac 🢒 1996 🢒 Seville 🢒 Engine 🢒 Engine Electrical 🢒 Slow Crank

Important: The following tests are designed for engines and batteries at normal operating temperatures and assume that there are no engine symptoms which would cause a no-start symptom. Using the tests under other conditions could result in misdiagnosis. The battery must be in a charged state in order to avoid misdiagnosis. Refer to Battery for charging or testing.

Starter Solenoid Clicks but the Engine Cranks Slowly or Not at All

Step

Action

Value(s)

Yes

No

1
  1. Ensure that the battery is fully charged.
  2. Remove the fuses from the engine compartment fuse block in order to prevent the engine from starting.
  3. Turn the ignition switch to the run position.
  4. Measure the voltage between the positive and negative battery terminals while cranking the engine. Crank the engine for at least 15 seconds, then read the voltage.

Is the voltage greater than 9.5 volts?

9.5 volts

Go to Step 2

Go to Step 3

2

Measure the voltage between the negative battery terminal and the engine block while cranking the engine for at least 15 seconds.

Is the voltage less than 0.5 volts?

0.5 Volts

Go to Step 6

Go to Step 7

3

Load the test battery. Refer to Battery.

Is the battery OK?

--

Go to Step 4

Go to Step 5

4
  1. Inspect the battery and the starter terminals for corrosion or poor contact.
  2. If OK, repair or replace the starter motor. Refer to Cranking System.

Is the repair complete?

--

System OK

--

5

Replace the battery.

Is the replacement complete?

--

System OK

--

6

Measure the voltage between the positive battery terminal and the starter solenoid terminal B while cranking the engine for at least 15 seconds.

Is the voltage less than 0.5 volts?

0.5 Volts

Go to Step 8

Go to Step 9

7
  1. Clean the negative battery cable connections and repeat the test.
  2. If the voltage is still greater than 0.5 volts, replace the negative battery cable.

Is the replacement complete?

0.5 Volt

System OK

--

8

Repair or replace the starter motor. Refer to Cranking System.

Is the repair complete?

--

System OK

--

9
  1. Clean the positive battery cable connections and repeat Step 6.
  2. If the voltage is still greater than 0.5 volts, replace the positive battery cable.

Is the replacement complete?

0.5 volts

System OK

--