Plzzzzz help? 99 olds 88 won't start
05-01-2011, 11:37 AM
#1
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Doniphan, MO
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Plzzzzz help? 99 olds 88 won't start
It started fine Friday, today it doesn't even click when I try to start it. 
I tried a different battery (even tho mine is new) nothing still. My security light is flashing (I have the passkeys) I tried one, waited the 3 minutes for it to reset.. then used my spare key. Same results. I looked at my owners manual.. it does have the diagram for the fuse boxes, and I could get my nephew to look at it later, (ignition fuse? passkey fuse?) 
but wondered if it is something simple I am overlooking,before I go further? Thanks much, Leah
I tried a different battery (even tho mine is new) nothing still. My security light is flashing (I have the passkeys) I tried one, waited the 3 minutes for it to reset.. then used my spare key. Same results. I looked at my owners manual.. it does have the diagram for the fuse boxes, and I could get my nephew to look at it later, (ignition fuse? passkey fuse?) but wondered if it is something simple I am overlooking,before I go further? Thanks much, Leah
05-01-2011, 02:14 PM
#3
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
Check for voltage at the starter. If you have battery voltage then check the shifter, might be out of adjustment. If that does nothing, remove the starter and have it tested.
05-01-2011, 07:17 PM
#4
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Doniphan, MO
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I don't think it'* the shifter, I tried to start it in park and neutral several times. Wouldn't the starter have given me some clue that it was going out? It'* always been easy to start.
05-01-2011, 07:23 PM
#5
Junior Member
Posts like a Ricer Type-R
Join Date: May 2011
Location: PITTSBURGH PA
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Try to locate the starter and tap on it a few good times with something with some weight on it and then start it if it fires up its your starter
05-01-2011, 07:27 PM
#6
Senior Member
Certified GM nut
Does your Security light stay on after you attempt to start it, or does it just flash and go out like it normally does? If it stays on or continues flashing, it'* the Pass-Key system, and I would check your ignition cylinder or perform the bypass.
05-01-2011, 07:58 PM
#7
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Doniphan, MO
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It just continues to flash until I remove the key. From my book, I know the fuse box on the passenger side has a couple that I might need to check. And I'm not a blonde.. but Ignition cylinder? Not sure where/ what that is.
05-01-2011, 07:59 PM
#8
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Doniphan, MO
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
05-01-2011, 08:44 PM
#9
Retired Senior Admin
Expert Gearhead
Join Date: May 2006
Location: Sheboygan Wisconsin
Posts: 29,661
Likes: 0
Received 28 Likes
on
24 Posts
Different years handle VATs in different ways.
92-95 if the car cranks, vats is not the issue
96-99 if the car does not crank, vats is not the issue.
I suspect the starter. Starters can simply die right there, no warning.
92-95 if the car cranks, vats is not the issue
96-99 if the car does not crank, vats is not the issue.
I suspect the starter. Starters can simply die right there, no warning.
05-07-2011, 10:15 PM
#10
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Doniphan, MO
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
ughhh! OK, I tried that with the starter, nothing. Took it off & had it rebuilt (the guy said it wasn't engaging)... Put it back on.. same thing. I'm thinking VATS. I have noticed that my automatic trunk button, on the dash, is also not working.. could that be part of VATS too? (and yes, the switch is flipped to ON in the glove compartment. Someone else suggested that a GM shop may be able to reset the VATS?