1996 Seville wont start

Asked by Angela Oct 09, 2022 at 08:06 AM about the 1996 Cadillac Seville SLS FWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

So my issue is that my car ran perfectly fine but did
overheat but was still running good. But the battery
kept going dead and I went to get a new battery
but it wasn't the group 78 was 76. Well I put it in
the car and it started right up but white smoke was
coming from the tailpipes. Well I drove to a nearby
Walgreens to get antifreeze and put it in and as I
was driving out of the parking lot it wasn't going
into drive it kept rolling backwards!!! I hit a parking
lot post.. Well I drove down the street and shut it
off and got out to look at the dent which was right
in the middle of the trunk. Well awhile after I
started it back up and it still had white smoke
coming from the tailpipes. So I shut it off. Didn't
start after that and I had to get it pushed back the
old fashion way fender to bumper. Well I did go and
get the right battery for the car and it still has not
started just cranks. What do I do now.

4 Answers

Btw I changed the battery the belt cleaned the throttle body it isn't the alternator because I still have great power and the starter spins just fine I have the same ignition cylinder but lost the original key and didn't know the right key value to the car. A locksmith made me a key from the vin and I bought a bypass module. Well now I think I found the right key value cause it cranks and at first it didn't. Didn't change the battery cables though and the battery has 12.2 voltage but wont start it just spins the starter

38,945

The head gasket is blown , put a fork in it , it's done

2 people found this helpful.
202,475

That white tailpipe smoke is condensation. I'd agree that you probably have a problem with the head gasket or the intake manifold gasket. But with all you describe, the battery's worth more than the car..... Time to go car shopping.

1 people found this helpful.
155,265

Junk it! You have the Northstar engine and they all blow head gaskets! The overheating and white "smoke" , water vapor, from the tailpipe are the tell tale signs! Your looking at upwards of $3,000 to fix it and you have to get someone who is familiar with these engines and vehicles to do the job! For starters the engine and transmission must be removed from the bottom of the vehicle! There's no other way, the heads will NOT come out through the top. These engines were junk when they were new! I'm suprised it's lasted this long! Time to move on to something newer!! Jim

Your Answer:

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