95 Seville Sls Northstar Wont Start. Please Help!

SEVILLEMAN601 · #1 07-07-2007, 03:56 PM

I have a 95 seville sls 4.6L 32V and it will not crank. It tries to start but seems like it is not getting any fuel. The starter sounds fine, but it doesn't even try to crank. The car has been sitting over a year because the tranny went bad, but I made sure to start it every once in a while until a few months ago when the car ran out of gas and the battery died. So, a week or two ago, I finally have the money to get it fixed so I buy a new battery and gas. I also checked all fluids, added water and oil. Everything seemed just fine until I tried to start it. I know there could be alot wrong, but does anyone know what I should do? I know that there is a recall for the fuel rail on it also, but i dont know if thats the problem. There are 2 codes that are on the dash, they are T0037 and T0083 (it may be one 0 instead of 2). If I am right, they mean low brake fluid and invalid signal to torque converter (tranny I guess). I just want to get it started before I take it to the tranny shop, then I will take it to the dealer and let them replace the fuel rail and try to find out what else may be wrong. Sorry for such a long post, but this car means alot to me since it is one of 2 things my father left me when he passed away. Any help would be greatly appreciated = )

maxwedge · #2 07-07-2007, 05:05 PM

Welcome to AF, doesn't crank means the starter does not turn the engine over, is this what is happening, your question is confusing.

SEVILLEMAN601 · #3 07-07-2007, 05:10 PM

yes, that is what I mean. The starter does not turn the engine over. Sorry if it is a bit confusing.

caddydaddy · #4 07-07-2007, 07:48 PM

So is the starter turning, just not engaging the flywheel to turn the engine?

SEVILLEMAN601 · #5 07-07-2007, 08:58 PM

I have not looked to see if it is turning the flywheel but everything sounds like it would normally sound when the car is started, but it never starts. I was thinking maybe it was the fuel pump or something but there is so many different things that it could be.

caddydaddy · #6 07-07-2007, 10:13 PM

Well, it's a very different sound if the starter is turning, but it's not turning the engine. Have someone look at the engine to see if it is turning when you try to start it. That way we can figure out if it's a starter problem, or an engine problem.

SEVILLEMAN601 · #7 07-07-2007, 11:42 PM

ok, thank you so much for helping. I will look at it first thing in the morning, but actually now that I think about it, there is definitely movement coming from the engine. I will still take a look at it to be sure though. I feel a small vibration, as you would feel when starting any car, when I try to start it. The vibration from the starter alone wouldnt make the car vibrate that much would it?

caddydaddy · #8 07-08-2007, 07:38 AM

No, it wouldn't. If it was just the starter spinning, it would be a much faster whirring noise, and not as much vibration.

SEVILLEMAN601 · #9 07-09-2007, 05:38 PM

I had someone look at the engine while trying to start it and the engine is moving but not starting. It sounds exactly like it always sounds when starting and there is no whirring noise. Your opinion really means alot seeing that you have a 93 and 94 deville (same as seville basically from what I know). The dealership actually wants to charge me $3600 to replace my tranny with one with 100K+ miles and they don't even have a transmission specialist??? I would buy a newer caddy before I spent that much even though the car really means alot to me. Do you know a good place to buy a used tranny? I found one on ebay from a reputable seller that owns a tranny business that was started by his grandfather and handed down. He wants $425 (including one of his rebuilt torque conv.) plus $90 shipping. It has 58K on it and a 3 month warranty which can be upgraded to a year for $100 extra. Would you buy this tranny? There was not much wrong with the car when it went bad besides needing a O2 sensor, small brake line leak, and ride control message. What would you do in this situation? I know I talk too much = ) but I just want to let you know as many details as possible. If you would happen to know what the codes T0083 and T0037 are??? brake level low/invalid signal to torque converter if I am right. The Diagnostics test is not ran until the car is actually started and driven right?

caddydaddy · #10 07-09-2007, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SEVILLEMAN601

I had someone look at the engine while trying to start it and the engine is moving but not starting. It sounds exactly like it always sounds when starting and there is no whirring noise. Your opinion really means alot seeing that you have a 93 and 94 deville (same as seville basically from what I know). The dealership actually wants to charge me $3600 to replace my tranny with one with 100K+ miles and they don't even have a transmission specialist??? I would buy a newer caddy before I spent that much even though the car really means alot to me. Do you know a good place to buy a used tranny? I found one on ebay from a reputable seller that owns a tranny business that was started by his grandfather and handed down. He wants $425 (including one of his rebuilt torque conv.) plus $90 shipping. It has 58K on it and a 3 month warranty which can be upgraded to a year for $100 extra. Would you buy this tranny? There was not much wrong with the car when it went bad besides needing a O2 sensor, small brake line leak, and ride control message. What would you do in this situation? I know I talk too much = ) but I just want to let you know as many details as possible. If you would happen to know what the codes T0083 and T0037 are??? brake level low/invalid signal to torque converter if I am right. The Diagnostics test is not ran until the car is actually started and driven right?

OK, so the starter is working fine, so it's either an ignition or fuel problem. Actually my 93 and 94 Devilles have the 4.9 liter engine. My 2000 STS has the Northstar.
I find it very strange that the dealership wants to install a used transmission! Usually they only sell rebuilt ones! Have you gotten a quote for a rebuilt one from a transmission shop? The dealerships usually get their rebuilt transmissions from the same source, but a trans shop will charge less for labor.
Anyways, the codes you listed should read T037 and T038, since your car is a 1995, they used 4 character codes. The diagnostics are done by the cars computer as soon as it's started and many hundred times a second as the car is running and driven.

The codes are these:
T037 ........................................ LR Wheel Speed Sensor Continuity Fault
T083 .................................................. ....... Brake Fluid Level Low

So if those are your only codes, they have nothing to do with the transmission. It seems like a bad left rear wheel speed sensor, or the wiring to it, and the brake fluid is low, or the switch for it is bad.
You said there was a brake line leak, which would cause the fluid to get low. And the wheel speed sensor would cause the "service ride control" message to show on the dash.

Now back to your original no start problem. I'd check for spark by disconnecting one of the spark plug wires from one of the coil packs and putting a spark tester in between the wire and the coil pack. You can buy one of those spark testers for a couple of bucks from a auto parts store or a lawn equipment store. The one I have is made by Briggs & Stratton.
If you have spark, then it's a fuel problem, and I'd check the schrader valve on the fuel rail for fuel pressure. You can buy a pressure gauge at an auto parts store.
If you don't feel comfortable doing either of these, I'd either get someone who can help you out, or get the car towed to a shop to get it looked at. It doesn't have to be a dealer, since they will be the most expensive. Any auto repair shop should be able to do these tests to see what is wrong with your car.

Good luck!

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