1992 Olds 88 Royale_ STARTING ISSUE

We own an Olds 88 Royale 4d SE / 1992. The car has a mysterious starting problem I was hoping to get some ideas. The car has this starting problem that occurs when it feels like it. Air or car temperature doesn't seem to matter. If the car decides not to start, here are the symptoms: TOTAL SILIENCE! all lights on dash and exterior work fine. Battery new. Just does not turn over.Starter checked out good. Now here's the funny part...leave the car sit for maybe 5 to 20 minutes...go back and it starts like a champ. You can go a day, or maybe a week before the mysterious problem comes again. My key does have that chip in it and I was wondering if that might be the problem.

Welcome to AF! Is the security light on when it don't start?

Welcome to AF! Is the security light on when it don't start?
I believe yes...the car is starting right now so I'm not positive.

First, try cleaning the resistor in the key with a pencil eraser, or a “Q”tip & alcohol. :grinyes:

Thanks for the suggestion. I will keep you posted on if this helps. Meanwhile, I will be getting a new key made since we have no spair.
Thanks again.

Welcome to AF! Is the security light on when it don't start?
The security light does come on when it won't start (also when it does start). cleaning the chip on the key doesn't work. Still having starting issues. One source thought maybe it was a "flat" spot on the armature in the starter. Any ideas?
Thanks.

Turn the ignition switch to the ON position but do not try to start the engine immediately. Wait & watch the security light to see if it will go off after a few seconds. If it does, you are now free to start. If it does not start and the security light is flashing after your attempt to start, you will not be able to start again until the 3-4 min timer runs down. :shakehead

In addition, the starter bearings can wear out and cause the armature to drag on the field winding. Watch that security light function before replacing the starter.

BTW, have you removed and inspected the battery cables for corrosion? If not, do so, and pay particular attention to the positive cables. You will need to peel back the insulation around the outside of the cables and clean both sides of all the cables, as well as the spacer in between them. Remember, always remove the negative (-) cable first!

also the wiring behind the cylinder is known to get an intermittent break and cause the same problem. system is also bypassable. search the net or pm me for info

Turn the ignition switch to the ON position but do not try to start the engine immediately. Wait & watch the security light to see if it will go off after a few seconds. If it does, you are now free to start. If it does not start and the security light is flashing after your attempt to start, you will not be able to start again until the 3-4 min timer runs down. :shakehead



Ok...here's something that seems to work for us. Turn the key until dash lights come on. Security light is also lit with the other lights. Wait until security light goes off (usually 10-15 secs), then crank the car to start. The car seems to start everytime this way. If we forget to wait for the security light to go off, and try to start car ,the starting issue may or may not happen again (depends on the cars mood). If the car does NOT start after forgeting to wait for the fsecurity light to go out, I've noticed that the security light will remain lit. If that happens, we wait 15 minutes or so and try to restart car and it starts everytime after waiting.

I'm not to mechanically inclined so working on my own car is out of the question. Is there an easy way to eliminate the security on the car? (like maybe taking out a fuse) or maybe this won't work?


also the wiring behind the cylinder is known to get an intermittent break and cause the same problem. system is also bypassable. search the net or pm me for info

I haven't looked into this option yet...but I appreciate the input. Anyidea of cost at dealership if I need to go this option?

Well it appears that you have at least narrowed down the problem to a security issue. Typically, a shop that could handle this type of malfunction, would specialize in automotive electrical. To replace the ignition cylinder & key reader would normally range anywhere from 150 to 300 bucks, depending on the shop. Like anything else, it pays to shop around and ask questions.


If you want to bypass the system, you should look for a local auto security system installer and ask them how much they would charge to install a resistor bypass for you. They have kits available for this purpose and the cost should not exceed 50 bucks for parts & labor. It should take less than 30 min for a skilled installer to do. Good luck, & keep us posted.

ok..for future referrence...here's what happened at the end. The car finally came to end when it just wouldn't start anymore with any of the previous "tricks". The security light on dash would not stop blinking once the key was in cylinder forward positions. I was forced to tow it to a garage and I picked the local dealership since advised by other mechanics here locally. The repairs cost $400.00 after negotiating it down alittle. They replaced the key cylinder and issued me two new keys. They told me that the wires were broken to the cylinder, a common accurance....so they told me. ...whatever, I was just tired of the whole ordeal and spent probally more than I should have to fix it. Anyways, the car is starting good now and it's been several weeks. Hope my unique problem and solution helps others to come. I want to thanks HotZ28 for your help and directing me to the source of the problem.

I Am Having A Problem Like This But Mine Will Shut Off While I Am Driving Then It Wont Start, But If I Come Back The Next Day It Drives Just Fine, Hellllp! I Have Had It Checked Out, No One Can Help Me

I don't think that the security system (VATS) will shut your car off while driving. If it gets an error and decides not to allow the car to run, it just won't let is start on your next attempt. I really don't have a clue why it would shut off while driving. If I'm wrong, and the security system would do that, then. . .

if you are having very similar problems with your car as tmrcat, then dont' make the same mistake they did. tmrcat could have spent $50 at a local shop instead of the repairs they went with. You would look for a shop that installs remote car starters. Usually car audio shops do it too.

I just fixed my girlfriends car for $5 (the cost of the resistor) because I knew what I was doing. They will charge you around $50 or less as it's a standard rate.

Look up VATS bypass!!!!

Ok I Thought It Was The Security System Becasue That Light Came On, Its Hard To Say Because Every Repair Shop That I Go To Says The Problem Has To Occur At The Shop For Them To Be Able To Tell What Is Wrong, But It Starts Up Just Fine It Will Only Shut Down After 10-15 Inutes Of Driving, A Few People Say They Think I Need A New Ignition And Key, So I Will Try That But If That Does Not Work , I Am Getting A New Car, I Have Had Everything Checkout Form The Engine To The Altenator Everything Is Fine, This Is Really Weird, They Put It On The Machine And Claim No Security Issue

Hi, I am new here.. this forum looks like a very useful resource. I see that this thread is for the 1992 Olds 88 Royale, but I couldn't resist after seeing "STARTING ISSUE" and "88" So, yeah.. I currently own a Olds 88, 1999.

Anyways I'll post my problem, as it seems directly related to the thread started.

This starting issue, for me, has been happening since last month. I would get in my car put the key in the ignition, and turn all the way to start with out looking at anything, or noticing anything. It started all the time, no problems until one day, I put the key inside, and turned it to start and nothing happened. No clicking from the starter, or no sign of low battery. So I pulled the key out and waited for a few minutes. Tried it again, and it started.

That has been happening for a while. Then after that, I would try starting it and it would not do anything. So I would wait for a few minutes.. 3-5.. then try and still it would not do anything. Then maybe after Ten minutes sometimes it would start on some occasions. Then other times it would start the first time I got inside the car and put the key in.

This all happened like I said, up until just recently I was getting out of school and I went into my car to try and start it and it wouldn't start like before. I waited for a few minutes, 3-5.. tried again, it wouldn't.. so I waited for about 10-15 minutes and still nothing. So then I called for a ride. I came back to the car after about an hour, and tried starting it.. nothing. So I got it towed to my house and I tried to start it just for kicks, and it fired up no problem~

So I checked the starter, battery, and alternator.. all turned out to be performing good. I also had a wiring test done at a maintenance shop. So I am thinking it might be the ignition cylinder and key reader, like said in this thread above a ways..


Today, I looked on this thread and saw the "SECURITY" post, and went to my car to see if my car had that on, when I turned the key through it's cycle. And, I waited to see if it would go away and it wouldn't. Although! every single time today, I tried starting my car, it worked the first time~

I am sending it in to the dealership for them to check the Security systeme.

Please give me your questions, comments, suggestions..etc!

-Dave A. Lawrence

This thread is way to old and has been jumped into 2x, Please start a new thread this one is closed.

Thank you so much for this forum. My 92 olds 88 would not start and I really could not afford to take it to a mechanic. The advice to clean the key sensor with alcohol and q-tip worked like a charm, and she started right up. Thank you so much. I will stop hating my car again for awhile. haha!

Should start your own thread......think it's just a coincidence it started....more likely, broken wire to the lock cylinder, if it is a SECURITY problem.....