Starting issue

Tiny
ALEXVJR619
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 OLDSMOBILE SILHOUETTE
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Battery and starter tested working properly. But, the solenoid I believe is the small post on the starter is only receiving four volts and the bigger post on the starter is receiving twelve volts which is not allowing the starter to turn over the van to start. What would be your recommendation on how to start and finish to resolve the problem? I even used alligator clamps with wire direct from the battery to the smaller post on the starter and it did begin to turn over, but I immediately removed due to smoke coming from negative post on the battery. Not sure if because the post is screwed into battery at a slight angle and the current is more concentrated on a small amount of surface verses the prong being flat. But, regardless there is a issue. Any ideas would be of great help due to it only being are only way of transportation with three kids and we are in a tight spot so money is an issue.
Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 AT 4:46 AM

8 Replies

Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
First check how much voltage you have at both sides of the "IGN MAIN 1 Maxi" fuse in the underhood accessory wiring junction block.
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Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 AT 5:53 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
Here is the wiring diagram. If that fuse has twelve volts on both sides move on to checking in and out of the ignition switch and the transmission range switch.
If that fuse did not have twelve volts and possibly only that four volts, check at that battery stud in that junction block, take that stud nut loose or whatever and clean it, reinstall it and test again.
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Tuesday, October 31st, 2017 AT 6:06 AM
Tiny
ALEXVJR619
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Everything was fine fiund a short on the sensor underneath the oil pan fixed it then tryed to start it wanted to the the engine froze. Took out all. Spark plugs poured oil in each one. Then the next two days after used a product mystery oil or somthing like that but still can turn the engine. Any suggestions for me am a father of three and only one working money is super tight and am not a mechanic but do know basics and I would say mechanically inclined. Any help would be highly appreciated.
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Tuesday, November 21st, 2017 AT 5:46 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
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Try to turn the engine over by hand with all of the spark plugs out, that way there is no compression and should be much easier to turn over the engine.
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Tuesday, November 21st, 2017 AT 4:48 PM
Tiny
ALEXVJR619
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
I do have them out and been putting oil at first down where the spark plugs were then bought mystery oil or somthing like that its red did that for a few days
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Tuesday, November 21st, 2017 AT 4:52 PM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,853 POSTS
How are you trying to turn the engine over by hand?
It sounds as though you might have a seized up engine, but I want to be sure first.
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Wednesday, November 22nd, 2017 AT 6:13 AM
Tiny
ALEXVJR619
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes it seized not at first but then it seized. Pull out all. Sparkplugs and began to pour oil and that red liquid that can be used in gas and oil for the past few days tryed turning the ingine with a 15 socket after removing tire but cant turn it. Am thinking my oil pump went out cause my oil light did turn on and I pulled over right away and my oil was fine abd it did want to turn over before and after I got it towed. Then after checking battery starter and then it seized. So besides putting oil and that other liquid down the spark plug holes is there any suggestions knowing I have pretty much no extra money.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:02 AM
Tiny
PATENTED_REPAIR_PRO
  • MECHANIC
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Squirting motor oil into the cylinders really isn't going to do much good if the engine is seized because the oil pump went bad. Other than to start taking the engine apart by first removing the oil pan and then the crankshaft bearings to see if maybe there are some bearings that seized you are probably looking at just searching for another engine. Even if you find a crank bearing that seized, not sure if that it can be fixed by simply replacing any bearings that seized and who know, there may be more damage but if you want to know, you are going to have to start taking the engine apart, either while still in the vehicle or after removing the engine.
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Tuesday, November 28th, 2017 AT 5:33 AM

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