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Oldsmobile Delta 88 Repair Questions and Answers

Question: 1992 Oldsmobile Delta 88  mileage: 172,000. I have begun to have problems with the transmission (auto 4 speed) on this car in the last 5000 miles. When the car is cold or has sat for over an hour it does not go into gear. I shift the gear lever up through the range of gears and after several minutes, it will engage. Once it is engaged, the car runs fine and shifts throughout its normal range. However several times my wife has come to an intersection to a stop and had the car slip out of gear but then go right back in. I have begun to think it is either a problem with the linkage or the vacuum modulator. Also, the speedometer cable has begun to stick - that is it jumps from 0 mph to 15 mph to 30 mph etc. and does not move smoothly.

Answer: First check the fluid level in the transmission. If it is okay, you may try servicing your transmission (changing the fluid and filter.) If the transmission has not been rebuilt in 172,000, be prepared for the worst.

Question: 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 mileage: 160,000. I washed the motor using a degreaser. I also cleaned the carburetor with carburetor cleaner. The car started a few times and it sputtered and then died. I haven't been able to start it again. Can you give me some trouble shooting ideas?

Answer: Check for water in the distributor, especially the bottom side of the distributor cap. Also, check the plug wires and shorting out.

Question:  1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88 3.8l eng. code3 mileage: 78,000.  Hi, my '87 Olds busted it's timing gear and thus bent a couple of valves.   I replaced the timing set, pulled the heads and replaced all the valves, seals, and push rods.  After re-assembly, I find I have no juice from the ignition coils (no spark).   I replaced and carefully adjusted the crank sensor but no difference.  I have been tracing the wiring with a test light and it looks as though it's pointing towards the ignition module (not cheap!) but since I didn't go near the module during the repair, I hesitate to replace it.  Is there a way to test the module directly (C3I system - separate crank and cam sensors)?  Or is there a way to see if the module is getting signal from the sensors (cam and crank)?  I have a lot of experience with pre-computer controlled engines but this has me completely lost.   FYI, the cam sensor magnet is in place on the cam sprocket, all cylinders test to specs on compression and the ECM gives a code 12 (ECM functional) so I know I'm close.

Answer:  First thing to do is a compression check on the engine.  You can check the crank and cam angle sensors with a voltmeter.  With the engine cranking over, the sensors should generate approximately 2 volts AC current.

Question:  1986 Oldsmobile Delta 88  mileage: 111,000.  I have a vacuum leak coming from under my dashboard.  Where my brake goes thru the firewall into the booster.  What could be causing the loss in pressure when I apply my brakes?

Answer:  The problem you described is probably caused by a power brake booster diaphragm that has ruptured.  Your power brake booster needs to be replaced.

Question:  1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88 mileage: 214,000.  She won't start.  Battery is 2 or 3 weeks old.  She gave no indication of a problem.  Drove her all day-short trips-but after letting her sit for a few hours, when I tried to start her, she wouldn't turn over.  All digital dash lights up, but no cranking of any kind.  Replaced starter, and still nothing.  Please help.

Answer:  From what you tell us, it sounds like “she” may be having trouble with “her” charging system.  Have “her” battery load tested and check the alternator output for voltage and amperage.

Question:  1995 Oldsmobile Eighty Eight  mileage: 75,000.   The last time I had the oil changed I mentioned that there was something leaking on the garage floor.  The service manager told me they would put on a new oil pan and that would fix it.  This oil change I still had the leak and this time they told me it was an upper intake gasket leaking and the estimate would be around $226.00 to fix it.  How vital is this?  I'm planning on keeping the car another year or two.  I don't want it to cause damage to anything else.

Answer:  If you are planning on keeping the car for only a year or two, and do not want to continue putting money into repairs, and assuming the oil leak is minor, then you can keep a close eye on the oil level checking it once a week and adding oil as needed.

Question:  1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 mileage: 129,000.  My car has had problems accelerating. It seems to be doing fine when I am around town but when I get to the interstate, that is when it does not go and seems like it is missing or something.  I thought I needed a tune-up so I got it done and the problem still continues.  Somebody mentioned to me that it might be my fuel filter.  I just got my fuel pump replaced also.  Please help me.  Thank you so much for your time.

Answer:    Check the catalytic converter to make sure it is not “plugged” or restricted.  Also, check the fuel pump pressure.

Question:  1990 Oldsmobile Royal 88  mileage: 125,000.  Unable to maintain engine temperature to 190 degree were I can maintain proper temperature for the heater and for engine.  If setting idle it will go up to 210, but when you go on the road for a test the temperature drops to 140 degree's.  Can you advise what is wrong?  I replaced the thermostat twice with a 192-degree thermostat.   Thank you, Stoney

Answer:   You may be having a coolant circulation problem that is possibly caused by the water pump.  We have seen the vanes on the pump corrode away to the point where there is very little coolant circulation.

Answer:    You have done a very thorough job of trouble-shooting your dilemma.  We had a roundtable discussion of your problem and concluded that a defective ignition module that occasionally misfires is the guilty component.

Question:  1987 Oldsmobile Delta 88 6/3800 mileage: 159,000.  Car will not start in the cold, and already put in a new temperature-sending unit.  Had the injector’s cleaned, new plugs and new wires, new timing sensor, new alternator, new battery and a new starter.  Still the car will not start in the cold.

Answer:    Check compression, fuel pressure and scan the computer for fault codes.

Question:  1899 Oldsmobile Delta 88 3.8 liter mileage: 173,000.  The flashers on my car had quit working. I replaced the flasher under the dash and they worked again.  Then the brake lights started to stay on some times after driving.  I was going to change the brake light switch, but then the lights quit staying on all on their own.  As soon as they quit staying on, the turn signals stopped working again.  I then replaced the flasher under the dash again but this time that was not the problem; they still do not work but the brake lights work with no problem.

Answer:  Your problem may be in the turn signal switch.  Replacing it should fix your problem.

Question:  1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale  mileage: 155.000.  The rear passenger floor (drivers side) is soaking wet.  It has developed over a month and a half.  Took it to a GM dealer - they seemed very perplexed by it.  Have not come across similar problem.  After 45 minutes of their diagnostic work, they said both passenger and drivers door weather-stripping were bad and needed to be replaced.   (Special order)  I find this hard to believe on a 1994 auto.  In addition, since my trip to the dealer, we have had seven days without rain and the carpet is still sopping wet.  Any help would be appreciated.

Answer:    It is possible the heater core is leaking coolant or the drain for the air conditioning condensate is over flowing onto the carpet.   However, the front should also be wet.   Maybe the door seals do need replacing.   The water may not dry up in seven days.   Try pulling up the carpet to dry it out and see if more water gets in.

Question:  1989 Oldsmobile Delta 88 3800 mileage: 132,000.  We have code 41 flashing. Car is running fine.  Recent new head gasket and valve job (do it yourself job).  Some hesitation on take-off, but this is very slight and intermittent.  Can you point us in a direction for diagnosing reason for code 41?

Answer:    A code 41 is for the cam angle sensor.

Question:  1989 Oldsmobile 88 Royale 3800 mileage: 152,000.  Surges when cruising.  ECM, coil, plugs and wires replaced.  It improved the performance a little but it still surges under slight throttle pressure.  Runs fine when engine is cold.  Seems to surge more with AC on.

Answer: Check for vacuum leaks.  Also, check EGR valve for a weak return spring.

Question:  1991 Oldsmobile 3800 mileage: 200,000.  1.   Service engine light is on.  I did the paper clip thing.  Code is 41.  Does that mean the cam sensor is bad?  2.  Temp light goes on at about 80 mph if I back off the gas it goes out in about 45 or seconds or so.  Water pump going bad?

Answer: The cam sensor may be faulty or a “stretched” or worn timing chain would also give you a code 41. We do not think the water pump is at fault.  A partially plugged radiator may be causing your problem.   Have the radiator “boiled” out at a radiator service center.

Question: 1988 Oldsmobile Delta 88 3800 , mileage: 158,000. I recently was tightening my positive battery cable when I touched the alternator at the same time. It shot off sparks and burned part of the alternator blade. I tried starting the car afterwards. The first three or four times it started but it kept putting out. Now it wouldn’t start. It turns over fine as if it wants to start but it wouldn’t fully start. If you have any suggestions, I would greatly appreciate it.

Answer:  Unfortunately, computerized vehicles do not like that -- there are a number of things that could have occurred: 1. Burned out alternator diodes (causing the alternator to charge AC voltage, the car will not run on AC voltage.) Take the drive belt off and try to start (if it does run shut it off so it doesn’t over heat). Replace the alternator; 2. Check all fuseable links and fuses; if these check okay, it could have burned out the PCM (computer).

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