2006 Cadillac STS Push Button Start Problems: Reasons and Fixes

Are you having problems with your 2006 Cadillac STS Push Start button? There are many possible reasons for the push start problems you are dealing with. 

Ignition problems highlights

• Level of urgency:high
• DIY inspection:possible but complicated
• DIY repairs:usually,impossible
• Can you drive?no
• Price of repairs:$5 - $350
• If ignored:no start
• Ways to fix:check batteries, try another key fob, inspect and locate the issue

The 2006 Cadillac STS Push Button Feature

The 2006 STS Push button feature is cool. You don't have to plug in a key and twist it to turn on your engine. You only need to have your key, enter the vehicle, hold the brake pedal down, and use the Start/Stop button. 

Once the engine cranks, you want to let go of the button. To stop the engine, you must bring the vehicle to a halt before pressing the Start/Stop button again. 

If you do not shift the car to park when you stop the engine, the ignition will automatically go to accessory mode, and you will have the "Shift to Park" message on display. 

While this cool feature offers many advantages, there are some problems you may encounter with the Push Button feature, especially if you use a 2006 Cadillac STS. 

Check out the information below to know what causes Push Button start problems and how you can fix the problem.

Reasons For Your 2006 Cadillac STS Push Button Start Problems

There are several possible reasons for your vehicle's push button start problems. The start system of any car is complex as it consists of various components which must work harmoniously for a smooth start. The same goes for your Cadillac.

The 2006 Cadillac STS Push Button Start system consists of a push button that sends a signal to the instrument panel control module. When this signal gets to the instrument panel control module, it moves to the engine control module, from where it gets to the starter relay and finally to the starter. 

It is usually electrical when there is a problem with your Push Button start system. There may be some intermittent electrical fault or a broken or faulty component in the system. 

In other cases, the cause of the Push Button Start problem may be the instrument panel control module. The instrument panel control module passes the start signal on until it reaches the starter. 

Below are some reasons your 2006 Cadillac STS Push Button Start system may be having problems and how to fix the problems to get your vehicle back on the road.

1) Weak Battery

Many of the electrical features on your Cadillac rely on the battery, and the Push Button Start feature is not an exception. 

When your battery is too weak to power the electrical systems in your vehicle, including the Push Button Start system, you can expect to have problems starting your car with the Push Button start system.

If your vehicle's battery is over three years old, changing the battery would be the best thing to do. But if your battery is relatively new, you may have it charged full and reinstalled in your vehicle to try the push button again.

You can also test your battery to check. If your battery reading is below 12 volts, you need a new one.

Sometimes, the problem may be debris build-up around the battery terminals, reducing the power supply by limiting contact. 

The debris build-up is usually a result of corrosion as the battery acid reacts with the metal terminals. If the current allowed by the limited contact is not enough to power the starter system, you will not be able to start the engine.

You can lift the plastic covers to check for corrosion. Clean off the deposits around the terminal to increase the power flow. If there are no other problems with the battery, that should do the trick.

2) Faulty Starter

The starter is the device that generates the initial sparks that turn your car engine on. It has a small start gear that engages your engine flywheel, which delivers the power to get the engine rolling.

This propels the engine to start sucking in oxygen and fuel into its cylinder to start the combustion process that will keep it running. So when there is a problem with your starter, no matter how many times you push the Start button, your Cadillac will not come on.

A faulty or damaged starter will not deliver the needed power to start the engine, no matter how hard you press the start button. 

Replacing a damaged starter is the way to fix this problem. If you do not have the skills to change the starter, it would be best to hire a mechanic to fix the starter.

Sometimes, it can also be an electrical fault in the starter relay itself. You can find this starter relay under the hood fuse box. But this is easy to fix. Having another person with you would be best to fix this problem.

You want the second person to tap on the starter relay simultaneously as you press the start button to start the car. If the car starts and runs after doing this, you must replace the starter relay.

3) Insufficient Fuel Supply from Clogged Fuel Pumps

An insufficient fuel supply may also be why your start button is not working. Your engine needs gasoline to create a spark and generate any horsepower for movement. The fuel pump in your vehicle is responsible for delivering gas.

When there is a problem with your fuel pump, your engine will not get enough gasoline to create the spark it needs to start. 

The way to fix this problem is to replace the fuel pump. You want to hire a mechanic to do this for you if you do not have the skills to replace the clogged fuel pumps.

4) Problems With Spark Plugs or the Ignition Coil

Spark plugs play a major part in starting your vehicle's engine. They light up the air-fuel combination that is shot into the cylinders. This assists the engine in starting the combustion process to continue running itself. 

Ordinarily, problems with spark plugs will rob you of engine performance. You will have occurrences of engine misfires. But if more than one spark plug in your engine fails, your engine may not start, no matter how many times you press the Start button.

You can get a diagnostic scan to find the misfiring cylinder with the faulty spark plug. Replacing the faulty spark plug should solve the problem. But it would be best to replace all the spark plugs at once.

Sometimes, there may be a problem with the ignition coil. Ignition coils increase the impact of the electric pulses. It does this to deliver the charge that the spark plugs need to light the air-fuel mixture. 

But if the ignition coil has problems firing up your spark plugs, your engine may not run, no matter how many times you press the start button. Some common causes of an ineffective ignition coil include problems with the coil, a wrong connection to the coil, or a problem with the control module.

You can confirm that the problem is with the ignition coil by swapping and testing your car with other ignition coils. Your Cadillac will have about 6 ignition coils. 

You can also check the wiring to be sure that it is not the source of the problem with the push start button. You can do this with an Ohmmeter.

5) A Case of Engine Failure

An engine failure can also be why the Start button seems to have problems starting the engine. Although there are many possible reasons for an engine failure, an engine failure is usually highly unlikely. 

But when your engine fails, the push start button will not work to start the car.

When your engine fails, you may hear the clicking sound as you try to put the car on, but you will not hear the engine crank. That clicking sound will usually come from the solenoid. 

Although it is rare to have a failed engine, some of the commonest reasons for its failure include poor maintenance, using the car with a very low oil level, and a hydrostatic lock. 

But again, this is a very rare problem and will hardly be the case.

If you end up with a failed engine, it would be best to replace the engine if you still want to use the car. 

Engine replacements can be very expensive. Hence it would be best to have a qualified mechanic install the new engine for you. 

This is better since an expert will not make expensive mistakes you could have made by replacing the engine.

Bottom Line

A broken button does not usually cause the push start button problem in the 2006 Cadillac STS. But some drivers like to replace the broken button. 

If your Start button is broken and you want to replace it, it would be best to contact an expert mechanic. It is easy, but you might damage the fitting as you try to dislodge the fittings to get to the start button.