GM Service Manual Online
For 1990-2009 cars only

Cause

Correction

Seized accessory drive system component

  1. Remove the accessory drive belt.
  2. Rotate the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft balancer or the engine flywheel location.
  3. Repair or replace components, as required.

Seized starter motor

Replace, as required.

Hydraulically locked cylinder

    • Coolant/Antifreeze in cylinder
    • Oil in cylinder
    • Fuel in cylinder
  1. Remove the spark plugs and inspect for fluid in the cylinder bore.
  2. Inspect for a sticking fuel injector.
  3. Inspect for a failed cylinder head or gasket.
  4. Inspect for a cracked engine block.
  5. Repair or replace, as required.

Seized automatic transmission torque converter

  1. Remove the torque converter bolts.
  2. Rotate the crankshaft by hand at the crankshaft balancer or the engine flywheel location.
  3. Repair or replace, as required.

Material in cylinder

    • Broken valve
    • Piston material
    • Foreign material
  1. Inspect the cylinder for damaged components and/or foreign materials.
  2. Repair or replace, as required.

Seized crankshaft or connecting rod bearings

  1. Inspect the crankshaft and the connecting rod bearings.
  2. Repair, as required.

Bent or broken connecting rod

  1. Inspect the connecting rods.
  2. Repair, as required.

Broken crankshaft

  1. Inspect the crankshaft.
  2. Repair, as required.

Seized or broken camshaft

  1. Inspect the camshafts.
  2. Inspect the cylinder head camshaft journals for damage.
  3. Repair, as required.

Broken or mis-aligned camshaft timing components

An improperly installed timing belt may lead to valve-to-piston contact.

Seized or broken valve train components

  1. Inspect the rocker arms.
  2. Inspect the lash adjusters.
  3. Inspect the valves.
  4. Inspect the valve springs.
  5. Repair, as required.