1993 Oldsmobile 98 Won't Start

Tiny
LIZARDOFOZ
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 OLDSMOBILE 98
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 250,000 MILES
About 3 months ago the car broke down and would not start, despite being jumped. There were at first dim lights and then no lights coming on and no sound being made when you would turn the key. We really did not need the car for the past couple months, so it has just been sitting there. But now we need to use the car.

I tried to jump it again, and nothing. So, I bought a new battery and hooked it up. Imediately the lights and other electrical started working, when they hadn't before. Tried to start it and finally got it to turn over on the 5th or so try. When it turned over it made strange noises, and then they stopped and the engine sounded normal. I wanted to check to see if it would start again, so I turned it off and tried to start it again. This time there was only a click but no start, not even an attempt at turning over. I have tried over and over for about 20 minutes, the same, turn the key just one low click noise, and then nothing. After the new battery, but not starting the lights and everything are still fine.

Thank you for any help!

UPDATE: Tried banging on the starter. The clicking noise got louder when you hit the starter, but still no start.
Friday, May 8th, 2009 AT 12:58 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Get a helper to hold key at start position and bang on the starter and see what happens
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Saturday, May 9th, 2009 AT 5:52 AM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
1993 Oldsmobile 98 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 250000 miles

About 3 months ago the car broke down and would not start, despite being jumped. There were at first dim lights and then no lights coming on and no sound being made when you would turn the key. We really did not need the car for the past couple months, so it has just been sitting there. But now we need to use the car.

I tried to jump it again, and nothing. So, I bought a new battery and hooked it up. Imediately the lights and other electrical started working, when they hadn't before. Tried to start it and finally got it to turn over on the 5th or so try. When it turned over it made strange noises, and then they stopped and the engine sounded normal. I wanted to check to see if it would start again, so I turned it off and tried to start it again. This time there was only a click but no start, not even an attempt at turning over. I have tried over and over for about 20 minutes, the same, turn the key just one low click noise, and then nothing. After the new battery, but not starting the lights and everything are still fine.

Thank you for any help!

UPDATE: Tried banging on the starter. The clicking noise got louder when you hit the starter, but still no start.
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Thursday, June 4th, 2009 AT 9:28 PM
Tiny
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Try remote starting the starter by shorting out the starter solenoid and see what happens-Starter don't engage engine its defective.
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Thursday, June 4th, 2009 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
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  • 6 POSTS
Could you please tell me how exactly I, "remote start the starter by shorting out the starter solenoid"?
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Thursday, August 27th, 2009 AT 8:21 PM
Tiny
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  • MECHANIC
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At the starter solenoid short out the small purple wire to the battery terminal on it
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Friday, August 28th, 2009 AT 1:14 PM
Tiny
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Changed the starter and got it running. Thanks for the help!
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Saturday, August 29th, 2009 AT 10:15 PM
Tiny
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I stopped on my way home two nights ago to get some gas. When I tried to leave my shifter was stuck in park. I tried turning the tires and it was still stuck. I tried rocking the car, still stuck. I finally got it to go into drive by being very violent with the steering wheel and shifter while pressing brake very hard. Later that night, and the next morning it worked fine. But when I went to leave from work it was stuck. For four hours I tried everything I could think of, undid the battery cables and redid them, nothing. Played around with the shifter and steering wheel again, nothing. Played around with the wires near the brake pedal, nothing. I don't know what else to do and I can't leave the car in the parking lot for my work any longer. Can anyone help me?
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Saturday, October 10th, 2009 AT 1:05 PM

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