Here's a poser:
Every time I put gas in this new-to-me-Cadillac, get back in and start the engine, the starter doesn't want to disengage.  It starts, but the starters nose gear stays engaged, and starting, and it doesn't seem to realize the engine wants to run but can't because the starter will only let the engine spin so fast.  Only happens when I put gas in.

Freak-y.

If anyone has any ideas, I'd love to hear them, I think this could get expensive.
 

These are from similar situations with other brands of vehicles. You'll have to see if the gist of it is pertinent to your Caddy or not.

Starter stays engaged too long after fill up

"It may be a flooded or leaking emissions Purge Valve Solenoid.
A common problem on many vehicles and usually pretty easy to access and replace,

It makes for a longer hard start at fill up time."
...
"I had the same issue when my evap purge solenoid was failing. As JayTee said, the evap purge solenoid sticks open, allowing fuel vapors to be pulled into the engine, which results in too much fuel during startup.

Sometimes you can reduce the issue by not "topping off" the fuel tank when you fill up. As soon as the pump stops, don't add any extra fuel."

If you have a mechanic (or auto parts place) check it for codes, you might have a "pending" evap code.

Pending codes are when the car detects the issue, but it isn't happening 100% regularly, so it never turns on the Check Engine light.

The starter stays engaged only after I fill the gas tank up...

"Evap vent solenoide is stuck closed. Start by replacing the valve and checking the hose to the valve for clogs...this is located between the cab of the truck and the bed of the truck on the driver side (can be seen if you look down through the crack)....If this doesn't work then check the fuel filler neck hose for kink or restriction this is the hose that goes from the gas cap to the fuel tank."

Thanks guys.
I found that purge valve  info, too, but, for some reason I can't recall, I dismissed it as not the problem I got.  I'll have to go back and read through that again.  Seems to gibe....

Thx again.
 

uploading pictures
Saw this in Wilmington, VT the other day. I felt almost famous. The last time I saw this in person I was but a mere tad.
 

Caddy
Seems like you've had that ride most of a year.  Did this just start (so to speak)?
Does it quit doing it on its own?  How soon after fill-up?  Or how many starts?
It can't be good for the starter.

The gas door does not lock at all.  This car cost $58,000 and change in 2008 and the gas door does not lock.  Just walk up push it in, and it pops open for any damn body.

I don't fill up the tank, stopped that a long time ago, when I drove junkers, don't want fifty bucks' worth of gas in a car that I can't drive til it gets back from the shop.  With no gas left in it.

The only time I fill-up/top off, is on my way outta town on a road trip.  This problem happens with $2 or $40.  After start-up, I can turn it off right there, and re-start with no problem.  Only on the first start after getting gas, any amount, any other time, it starts normally.

This gas door thing reminds me, I was going to do a little write-up on the quirks of this car/truck/crossover/whatever-the-fuck-it-is.  Quirks. I got 'em.

I've never seen a vehicle that begs to be lowered like this one does.  Two inches lower ride height would make this a different car.  It'd prolly make me poor doing it, too.
 

Oh, the problem just started about two, three weeks ago.

Otherwise, I'm kinda pleased with this car (quirks and all).  That I did not want...

Last edited by TheNeverWas (3/01/2023 7:39 pm)

footfootfoot wrote:

uploading pictures
Saw this in Wilmington, VT the other day. I felt almost famous. The last time I saw this in person I was but a mere tad.
 

I wish I could remember where/when I saw that. As rare a sighting as hen's teeth.

Anon wrote:

Have you tried opening the gas cap then closing it without putting gas in and starting the vehicle to see if the problem might be pressure related? Couldn’t hurt to rule that out as a contributing factor if the problem is somewhere in the evap system.

Get.  Out.  Of my.  Head.

Oddly enough, I did that very thing this afternoon.  I had just got 3 free gallons of gas (long story) and had the starting problem at the pump.  Literally 5 minutes later I'm in my driveway, and thought about it, so I popped my cap, and stood there 5 minutes like an ijit (simulating fueling up) and had no issues on start up.

When I open the cap, there is no pssshht, coming out, nor any insuck going in, either.  No pressure, no vacuum.
 

There shouldn't be any pressure at the cap it should be exiting through the vapor recovery system and probably an escape valve on top of the tank to facilitate filling it up..

This current sensor is something I wasn't aware of...

 

"Rather than constantly overcharging a battery, an ELD lowers voltage when the battery does not need much charge."
You mean a Voltage Regulator. What a concept.

The two different colors of red indicate a deficit in my visual acuity.

This guy had an itch, once he got started it took him 8 years to scratch it but he died happier.