The Cadillac Celestiq is the luxury marque’s range-topping all-electric halo sedan, serving up the very best that a modern Cadillac can offer. While the Celestiq is motivated by a cutting-edge EV powertrain, it’s still possible that the onboard 12-volt battery can run out of juice, in which case the doors may not unlock. In such a scenario, owners will need to unlock the vehicle manually.
To unlock a Cadillac Celestiq with a dead 12-volt battery, users must first retrieve the mechanical key, which is located within the remote key fob. To access the mechanical key, press the button around the bottom of the fob, then pull the mechanical key out from the key fob base.
With the mechanical key in hand, locate the liftgate key lock cylinder in the rear of the vehicle. This can be found on the bottom of the liftgate. Once the key slot has been located, insert the mechanical key and turn it to unlock the liftgate. Note that the lock includes a free-turning mechanism to prevent it from being forced open. If the cylinder freely rotates, make sure that you have the correct key and that the key is fully inserted into the lock.
With the liftgate unlocked, manually open it to access the vehicle’s interior. Once inside the cabin, locate and pull the hood release latch to open the front hood, where the 12-volt battery is housed. The hood latch can be found on the lower left side of the instrument panel. With the hood open, the battery can be jump-started or recharged, thus restoring power and allowing for normal operation.
Additional information can be found in the Cadillac Celestiq owner’s manual.
As a reminder, the Cadillac Celestiq rides on the GM BEV3 platform, with dual electric motors powered by an 111 kWh battery pack for drive. Maximum output is rated at 655 horsepower and 646 pound-feet of torque, while each unit is assemble by hand at the GM Global Technical Center in Michigan.
Comments
Same silly process as with GM’s other Ultium EVs like its BEV3 platform mates the Chevy Blazer and Equinox. One would think GM wouldn’t subject theoretical Celestiq owners to the same routine of climbing into the trunk and over the back seat, then the over the front seat then under the dash to pull a lever. Apparently GM didn’t think they deserved a better process for $350k +. Heck, even a $35k Equinox owner deserves better but for ten times that amount Mary Barra should show up as a personal concierge and crawl in the trunk and over the seats for you.
I totally agree. That’s disgusting. Even on more lowly GM vehicles, there’s no door lock cylinder on the drivers door and you must go through the shenanigans of inserting the key on the underside of the handle, push the cap off, etc., but not crawling in the back and over seats…what if you’re disabled? I’d sue if I had a Celestiq.. Why can’t we have a normal key lock cylinder? Ford started this nonsense and now, as they always do, like lemmings, everyone had to do it.
Someone that pays $350k plus for a car is calling someone to come pick it up and fix it.
Wouldn’t it be so incredibly simple to put the key cylinder behind the Caddy shield on the front grill, that pops the frunk, so no one has to hire a contortionist to open the vehicle? This would apply to Chevy and GMC as well… OR, better yet (and as mentioned many times before) just put a damn mechanical cylinder on the driver’s door! Simple doesn’t have to be complicated.
And really who cares? If you have one of these POS, you have “people” to take care of suce matters.
Useless. Anyone that owns one of these will call Roadside Assistance or the Dealer. Do you think anyone that shells out $350K for this thing is going to get their hands dirty?
Jay Leno
What’s the matter GM, can’t install dead battery protection that will leave you enough power to enter and start the engine…A little too complicated I guess. The designers of the Celestiq need to retire and take up fishing.
My 2014 Ford Fusion Hybrid has both the HV and the obsolete lead acid 12V battery in the trunk. So GM can either move the 12V battery to the trunk, add cabling to access the 12V circuit in the trunk, or change the lead acid battery for a LFP battery which
will cost more but will last the life of the EV.
I don’t think this is true. The Celestiq owners manual describes a set of battery terminals in the cargo area that would be easier to jump than the ones under the hood. Even if all it would get you is enough juice to open the front door and unlatch the hood from there