96 olds Sierra V6 3.1 electrical problem

GMLOVER

MEMBER
1996 OLDSMOBILE

I have a 96 Oldsmobile sierra LS v6 FI 3.1 FWD, 92k miles with what appears to be an electrical problem.
From time to time I turn the key to the ignition position and all electricity will be cut off, no lights, sounds 100% dead, other times just a click on the starter, others times dimmed lights on dashboard and the car won’t start at all. After the fourth time or so it will start normally and run fine. There were two times when the car just died while driving at about 30miles and re-started ok. Just yesterday I began to see the parking brake and ABS light stay on. Can you tell me how should I diagnose that problem and fix it?
Thanks.

1 Reply

SWALSWORTH

MEMBER
1 POST

I have basically the same problem. I have a '96 Olds Cutlass Ciera SL with 86k miles. Not every time, but every once in a while the car won't start. The power in the car flashes off, but turns back on once I release the key. Sometimes I have to pull they key out of the ignition and wait a few minutes and then it will start up without a hitch.

I also noticed that the charge battery light is on when the car runs and today I had to replace the 2-year old battery as it had 12.2 volts and only 40 CCA. Any ideas on what I can do?