Cadillac Dead Battery - Jump Start Instructions

ESTIMATED TIME 20 min

DIY COST

DIFFICULTY Easy

What you will need

Remove the emergency key from the keyfob and use it to unlock the driver's door. The keyhole in the driver's door may be covered. Pry the cover off to unlock the door.
For now, remove the key from the ignition.
Pull the hood release located under the dashboard.
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Go to the front of the vehicle. Slide your hand under the hood and push the hood release.
Lift the hood and ensure it stays open when applicable; uses the prop rod to keep the hood open.
Locate the battery in the engine bay.
Connect one of the red (positive +) jumper cables to the positive battery terminal or the jump-start terminal.

Jump Start Positive Terminal - To be used instead of battery +.
Connect the other end of the red (+) clamp to the helper car's positive terminal.
Connect the black negative (-) clamp on the negative terminal of the helper car.
Lastly, connect the other black (negative -) clamp to the engine or a strut tower bolt.
Start the helper car and let it idle.
Try starting your Cadillac. If you have a Start/Stop button, push the button with the keyfob.

If the car won't start, but you hear a click, check the clamps to make sure they are making good contact.

Let the jump box or helper car charge your dead battery for at least 10 minutes and try again.

Applicable to models such as the ATS, CTS, XTS, CT6, XT5, Escalade, SRX, DTS, STS, BLS, and XLR. There are two ways to jump-start a Cadillac.

Typical symptoms of a dead Cadillac battery include:

Charge the battery fully then test it with a battery tester. For more help follow this guide. Check the battery date sticker on the top or side of battery. Most car batteries last between three to five years.
During charging and jump-starting, explosive gases can escape from the battery. There is a risk of an explosion. Particularly avoid fire, open flames, creating sparks, and smoking. Ensure there is sufficient ventilation while charging and jump-starting. Do not lean over a battery.
Make sure that the positive terminal of a connected battery does not come into contact with vehicle parts. Never place metal objects or tools on a battery. It is important that you observe the described order of the battery terminals when connecting and disconnecting a battery.
When jump-starting, make sure that the battery poles with identical polarity are connected. It is particularly important to observe the described order when connecting and disconnecting the jumper cables. Never connect or disconnect the battery terminals while the engine is running
Make sure the jumper cables are not damaged or wires are exposed.
The jumper cables should not contact the parts that can move when the engine is running, such as the V-belt pulley or the fan.

How to get into the trunk, if you have a dead battery

Use the emergency key blade found inside your key fob to manually unlock the trunk.

How to charge a dead battery

By trickle charging a dead battery, you have a better chance of bringing the battery back to life. Otherwise, your battery may no longer hold a proper charge.
Use the OEM 12 Volt Battery Charger or even the cheaper Black+Decker BBM3B 12V Battery Charger Maintainer, which works just as well.
It will take at least 24 hours to bring a completely dead battery back to life. You are only providing 2 Amperes to the battery, which is a slow charge but ensures no damage is caused to the battery cells.

My car battery keeps dying

If your battery keeps on dying or is not holding a proper charge, it could be due to any of the following:
- Battery age / old battery
- Corroded or loose battery connections
- Parasitic current drains in the electrical system.