Starting System: Other Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight X

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.

Engine Does Not Crank, Starter Solenoid Does Not Click

1. Place gear selector in Park. Turn ignition switch to START position and observe SECURITY indicator on instrument cluster. SECURITY indicator should illuminate for 5 seconds, then go out.
2. If SECURITY indicator does not remain illuminated or does not flash continuously, go to next step. If SECURITY indicator remains illuminated or flashes continuously, problem exists within anti-theft system. See «ANTI-THEFT SYSTEM»(ref-31863) article in ACCESSORIES & EQUIPMENT.
3. Load test battery. Replace battery if it fails load test. Check battery cables and battery cable connections. If battery cables and connections are okay, go to next step. If battery cables and connections are faulty, repair or replace battery cables and connections as necessary.
4. Remove 10-amp fuse No. 7, located in relay center behind right side of dash, to prevent engine from starting. Turn ignition switch to START position. Using DVOM, measure voltage between starter solenoid terminal "S" (Purple wire) and ground. see scheme 2 See «WIRING DIAGRAM»(ref-58586-S18376015302001011700000). If voltage is 8 volts or greater, check starter solenoid terminal "S" for poor connection. Also, check for dirty or poor ground between starter and engine block. If connection and ground are okay, repair or replace starter. If voltage is less than 8 volts, go to next step.
5. Turn ignition switch to START position. Locate Black 66-pin C101 connector in right rear of engine compartment near A/C accumulator. Using DVOM, backprobe Black 66-pin C101 connector terminal F1 (Purple wire). Disconnect Purple wire from starter solenoid terminal "S". Measure voltage from female side of Black 66-pin C101 connector terminal F1 (Purple wire) and ground. If voltage is less than 8 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 8 volts or greater, check Black 66-pin C101 connector terminals for poor connections. Also, check for open circuit in Purple wire between starter solenoid terminal "S" and starter enable relay. If connections and Purple wire are okay, replace starter solenoid.
6. Reconnect Purple wire to starter solenoid terminal "S". Disconnect park/neutral position switch connector C1 located at left rear of engine, on transaxle. Connect test light between park/neutral position switch connector C1 terminal "G" (Yellow wire) and ground. Turn ignition switch to START position. If test light does not illuminate, go to next step. If test light illuminates, check anti-theft system for proper operation. Also, check for open circuit in Yellow/Black wire between park/neutral position switch and Pass-Key II decoder module, and park/neutral position switch connector terminals for poor contact or damage. Repair as necessary.
7. Reconnect park/neutral position switch connector C1. Remove 10-amp AIRBAG/VATS fuse located in instrument panel fuse block. Connect test light between 10-amp AIRBAG/VATS fuse connector terminal B1 (Yellow wire) and ground. Turn ignition switch to START position. If test light does not illuminate, go to next step. If test light illuminates, check for open circuit in Purple wire between AIRBAG/VATS fuse and starter enable relay, and in Yellow wire between starter enable relay and park/neutral position switch. Also, check for open circuit or high resistance between starter enable relay terminals C1 (Yellow wire) and A2 (Purple wire).
8. Locate Natural 48-pin C202 connector behind dash, at base of steering column. Using DVOM, backprobe Natural 48-pin C202 connector terminal D5 (Red wire). Measure voltage between Natural 48-pin C202 connector terminal D5 (Red wire) and ground. If voltage is 8 volts or greater, go to next step. If voltage is less than 8 volts, check for open circuit or short to ground in Red wire between ignition switch and battery booster positive cable. If necessary, replace 60-amp IGN SW fuse, located in right maxi fuse block in right rear side of engine compartment, on firewall.
9. Turn ignition switch to START position and hold. Using DVOM, backprobe Natural 48-pin C202 connector terminal B6 (Yellow wire). Measure voltage between Natural 48-pin C202 connector terminal B6 (Yellow wire) and ground. If voltage is less than 8 volts, go to next step. If voltage is 8 volts or greater, check for open circuit in Yellow wire between ignition switch, 10-amp AIRBAG/VATS fuse and starter enable relay, and in Purple wire between starter enable relay and starter solenoid terminal "S". Also, check starter enable relay. Repair or replace as necessary.
10. Check Natural 48-pin C202 connector for poor terminal contact. Check for open circuit or short to ground in Yellow wire between ignition switch, 10-amp AIRBAG/VATS fuse and starter enable relay. Check ignition switch for damage. Check for open circuit in Red wire between ignition switch and battery booster positive cable. Also, check for open circuit in steering column wiring harness. Repair or replace as necessary.

Solenoid Clicks, Engine Does Not Crank

1. Ensure battery is fully charged. Remove 10-amp fuse No. 7 located in relay center behind right side of dash to prevent engine from starting.
2. Using DVOM, measure voltage between battery positive terminal and battery negative terminal while cranking engine for at least 15 seconds. If voltage is greater than 9.5 volts, go to step 5). If voltage is less than 9.5 volts, go to next step.
3. Load test battery. If load test is okay, check battery and starter terminals for corrosion or poor connections. If terminals are okay, repair or replace starter solenoid. If load test is not okay, replace battery.
4. Locate battery negative terminal ground. Using DVOM, measure voltage between battery negative terminal and battery negative terminal ground connection while cranking engine for at least 15 seconds. If voltage is less than 0.5 volt, go to next step. If voltage is greater than 0.5 volt, clean connections and retest. If voltage is still not less than 0.5 volt, replace battery negative cable.
5. Using DVOM, measure voltage between battery positive terminal and starter solenoid terminal "B" while cranking engine for at least 15 seconds. If voltage is less than 0.5 volt, repair or replace starter solenoid. If voltage is greater than 0.5 volt, clean connections and retest. If voltage is still not less than 0.5 volt, 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 8) 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 PULL-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS table. Check ammeter reading. Turn off carbon pile and open switch. If amperage reading is not 5-15 amps, replace starter solenoid.

Pull-In Windings Test

Connect test equipment as in hold-in windings test. See HOLD-IN WINDINGS TEST. (Scheme 8) 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.

PULL-IN WINDINGS SPECIFICATIONS

Scheme 8

BRUSHES, SPRINGS & HOLDERS CHECK

Replace brushes if worn to 1/2 of original length, oil-soaked or pitted. 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.

PINION CLEARANCE CHECK

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.
2. Push pinion as far as possible away from retainer. Using a feeler gauge, ensure there is.010-.160" (.25-4.06 mm) clearance between pinion and retainer. (Scheme 9)

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

Scheme 9

STARTER

Note. Vehicles are designed for starter mounting without shims. A single shim or double shims may have been added to correct a noise or engagement condition. When installing starter any previously installed shims should be replaced in original location to ensure proper pinion to flywheel clearance.

Starter motors do not require lubrication, except during overhaul. Roll-type overrunning clutch requires no lubrication. Drive assembly, however, should be wiped clean and lubricated with silicon grease on shaft, underneath overrunning clutch assembly. see scheme 8