Starting System: Other Oldsmobile Cutlass VI

EXCEPT MALIBU & CUTLASS

COMPONENT LOCATIONS (EXCEPT MALIBU & CUTLASS)

MALIBU & CUTLASS

COMPONENT LOCATIONS (MALIBU & CUTLASS)

TRANSAXLE RANGE SWITCH

Remove negative battery cable. Remove shift linkage. Remove transaxle range switch electrical connector. Loosen transaxle range switch mounting blots. Place shift shaft in Neutral position and align flats of shift shaft with switch. Place Park Neutral Position Switch Alignment (J41545) tool and rotate switch until tool drops into position. (Scheme 7) Tighten mounting bolts and remove alignment tool. After switch adjustment, verify that engine will only start in Park or Neutral. If engine will start in any other position re-adjust switch.

Scheme 7

Check 40-amp IGN SW-BATT1 fuse.

SLOW OR NO CRANK ONLY AFTER EXTENDED PERIODS OF VEHICLE

NON-USE

There may be a parasitic load on electrical system. See PARASITIC LOAD EXPLANATION & TEST PROCEDURES article in GENERAL INFORMATION.

1. Place gear selector in Park (A/T), or depress clutch pedal (M/T). Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between starter solenoid terminal "S" (Purple wire) and ground. (Scheme 7) See WIRING DIAGRAMS.
2. If battery voltage is not present, on A/T models, go to step 4), or on M/T models, go to step 6). If battery voltage is present, place gear selector in Park (A/T), or depress clutch pedal (M/T). Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between starter solenoid terminal "S" (Purple wire) and starter mounting bolts.
3. If battery voltage is still not present, clean starter and starter mounting bolts, creating a good ground to engine block. Check for rust, dirt or excess paint. If battery voltage is present, replace starter solenoid.
4. On A/T models, disconnect transaxle range switch connector C2. Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between transaxle range switch connector C2, terminal "G" (Yellow wire) and ground. If battery voltage is not present, go tostep 8). If battery voltage is present, go to next step.
5. Connect a fused jumper wire between transaxle range switch connector C2, terminal "G" (Yellow wire) and terminal "E" (Purple wires). Turn ignition switch to START position. Engine should crank. If engine does not crank, check and repair open circuit in Purple wire between transaxle range switch connector C2, terminal "E" and starter solenoid terminal "S". If engine cranks, adjust or replace transaxle range switch. See «TRANSAXLE RANGE SWITCH»(ref-32833-S08079955552001011700000) under ADJUSTMENTS.
6. On M/T models, disconnect clutch pedal position switch connector. Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between clutch pedal position switch connector terminal "A" (Yellow wire) and ground. If battery voltage is not present, go tostep 8). If battery voltage is present, go to next step.
7. Connect a fused jumper wire between clutch pedal position switch connector terminals "A" (Yellow wire) and "B" (Purple wire). Turn ignition switch to START position. Engine should crank. If engine does not crank, check and repair open circuit in Purple wire between clutch pedal position switch and starter solenoid terminal "S". If engine cranks, replace clutch pedal position switch.
8. On A/T and M/T models, disconnect ignition switch connector C2. Using DVOM, measure voltage between ignition switch connector C2, terminal "C" (Red wire) or "B" (Red wire) and ground. If battery voltage is present at both terminals, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present at both terminals, check for an open in Red wire between engine compartment fuse center and ignition switch connector C2, terminals "C" or "B".
9. Reconnect ignition switch connector C2. Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between ignition switch connector C1, terminal "C" (Yellow wire) and ground. If battery voltage is not present, replace ignition switch. If battery voltage is present, repair open in Yellow wire between ignition switch connector C1, terminal "C" and transaxle range switch connector C2, terminal "G" (A/T), or clutch pedal position switch (M/T) connector terminal "A".

1. Place gear selector in Park (A/T). Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between starter solenoid terminal "S" (Purple wire) and ground. See «WIRING DIAGRAMS»(ref-32833-S29670741482001011700000). If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, go to step 3).
2. Using DVOM, measure voltage between starter solenoid terminal "S" (Purple wire) and starter motor mounting bolts. Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, replace starter solenoid and recheck symptom. If battery voltage is not present, clean starter motor and starter motor mounting bolts, creating a good ground to engine block. Check for rust, dirt or excess paint and recheck symptom.
3. Disconnect transaxle range switch connector C1. Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between transaxle range switch connector C1, terminal "G" (Yellow wire) and ground. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, go to step 5).
4. Using DVOM, measure resistance at transaxle range switch connector C1 between terminals "E" and "G". If resistance is 0-2 ohms, check for open in Purple wire between transaxle range switch connector C1, terminal "E" and starter solenoid terminal "S". Repair as necessary and recheck symptom. If resistance is not 0-2 ohms, check transaxle range switch. Adjust or replace switch as necessary and recheck symptom. See «TRANSAXLE RANGE SWITCH»(ref-32833-S08079955552001011700000) under ADJUSTMENTS.
5. Using DVOM, backprobe underhood bussed electrical center. Measure voltage at between underhood bussed electrical center connector C3, terminal F11 and ground. (Scheme 9) Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, go to step 8). If battery voltage is not present, go to step 9).
6. Using DVOM, backprobe underhood bussed electrical center. Measure voltage at between underhood bussed electrical center connector C1, terminal A11 and ground. (Scheme 8) Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, check for open in Yellow wire between underhood bussed electrical center connector C1, terminal A11 and transaxle range switch connector C1, terminal "G". If battery voltage is not present, replace underhood bussed electrical center and recheck symptom.
7. Using DVOM, backprobe ignition switch. Measure voltage between underhood bussed electrical center connector C2, terminal "A" and ground. Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, go to step 12).
8. Using DVOM, backprobe ignition switch. Measure voltage at between underhood bussed electrical center connector C1, terminal "B" and ground. Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, go to next step 13). If battery voltage is not present, replace ignition switch and recheck symptom.
9. Using DVOM, backprobe ignition switch. Measure voltage at between underhood bussed electrical center connector C1, terminal "B" and ground. Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, go to next step. If battery voltage is not present, replace ignition switch and recheck symptom.
10. Using DVOM, backprobe underhood bussed electrical center connector C4, terminal "A". Measure voltage at between underhood bussed electrical center connector C4, terminal "A" and ground. Turn ignition switch to START position. If battery voltage is present, repair open in Red wire between underhood bussed electrical center connector C4, terminal "A" and ignition switch connector C2, terminal "A". If battery voltage is not present, replace underhood bussed electrical center and recheck symptom.

Scheme 8

Scheme 9

ENGINE DOES NOT CRANK, SOLENOID CLICKS

1. Remove 20-amp F/P INJ fuse. F/P INJ fuse is located in underhood fuse block. Turn ignition switch to START position. Using a DVOM, measure voltage between battery positive and negative terminals. Crank engine for at least 15 seconds. If voltage is 9.6 volts or greater, go to step 3). If voltage is less than 9.6 volts, go to next step.
2. Load test battery. If load test is not okay, replace battery. If load test is okay, repair or replace starter motor.
3. Using DVOM, measure voltage between battery negative terminal and engine block while cranking engine for 15 seconds. If voltage is less than 0.5 volt, go to next step. If voltage is 0.5 volts or greater, clean negative battery cable connections and retest. If voltage is still 0.5 volt or greater, replace battery negative cable.
4. Using DVOM, measure voltage between battery positive terminal and starter solenoid terminal "B" (Black wire) while cranking engine for 15 seconds. If voltage is less than 0.5 volt, repair or replace starter motor assembly. If voltage is 0.5 volts or greater, clean positive battery cable connections and retest. If voltage is still 0.5 volt or greater, replace battery positive cable.

PRELIMINARY TESTS

Remove starter from vehicle. See STARTER under REMOVAL & INSTALLATION . Check starter for damage such as broken or stripped electrical terminals, broken or cracked drive end housing, etc. If no obvious damage is found, perform starter no-load test and pinion clearance check before disassembling starter motor.

SOLENOID WINDINGS TESTS

Note. To prevent overheating, DO NOT allow solenoid pull-in current to flow for more than 15 seconds.

Note. Current flow will decrease as windings heat up.

Hold-In Windings Test

1. If solenoid is not removed from starter motor assembly, disconnect field lead from terminal "M" on solenoid and insulate field lead from solenoid motor terminal. Connect an ammeter and switch in series with 12-volt battery and starter solenoid terminal "S" as illustrated. (Scheme 10) Connect a voltmeter between solenoid terminal "S" and ground. Connect a carbon pile across battery.
2. Turn switch on and quickly adjust carbon pile load until voltage reads as specified. See «HOLD-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS»(ref-32833-S34268346602001011700000) table. Check ammeter reading. Turn off carbon pile and open switch. See HOLD-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS table. If amperage reading is not as specified, replace starter solenoid.

Pull-In Windings Test

Connect test equipment as in hold-in windings test. See HOLD-IN WINDINGS TEST. (Scheme 10) Ground starter solenoid terminal "M". Turn switch on and quickly adjust carbon pile load until voltage reads as specified. See PULL-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS table. Check ammeter reading. Turn off carbon pile and open switch. See PULL-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS table. If ammeter reading is not as specified, replace starter solenoid.

HOLD-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS

PULL-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS

Scheme 10

BRUSHES, SPRINGS & HOLDERS CHECK

If any brushes are damaged (oil-soaked or pitted) or worn more than 90 percent, replace, frame and fields. If brushes are not damaged and still have more than 50 percent, on "V" body minimum is .315" (8mm), of brush material left, use a soft cloth to clean contact face of brushes. Check brush spring tension and replace springs if weak, discolored or distorted. Ensure brush holders are clean and brushes are not binding in holders. Ensure full surface of brush contacts commutator for proper performance.

COMMUTATOR END FRAME & BEARING

Ensure commutator end bearing has not spun in frame. If bearing has spun, replace frame and bearing. DO NOT lubricate bearing. If bearing is dry or damaged, replace bearing. Install new bearing no deeper then .080 in (2.1 mm).

DRIVE END HOUSING & BEARING

Ensure drive end bearing has not spun in housing. If bearing has spun, replace housing and bearing. DO NOT lubricate bearing. If bearing is dry or damaged, replace bearing. Install new bearing no deeper then .010 in (.4 mm).

PINION CLEARANCE CHECK

Note. Pinion clearance is not adjustable. If clearance is not within specification, disassemble and check starter motor for worn or damaged components.

1. Secure starter motor in vise with opening in housing accessible for measurement. Disconnect field lead at solenoid terminal "M" and insulate from solenoid field terminal "M". Connect battery negative terminal lead to starter frame. Connect 12 volts to starter solenoid terminal "S". Momentarily touch jumper lead from starter solenoid terminal "M" to starter frame, shifting pinion into cranking position. (Scheme 11)
2. Push pinion as far as possible away from retainer. Using a feeler gauge, ensure there is.010-.160 in (.25-4.06 mm) clearance between pinion and retainer. (Scheme 12)

Scheme 11

Scheme 12

STARTER

Note. On all models, disconnect negative battery cable.

STARTER & SOLENOID

Note. When reassembling starter and solenoid, use grease (10477431 or 1960954) for lubrication. Use of other greases may cause starter failure.