Oldsmobile When starting new posts, please specify YEAR, MAKE, MODEL, ENGINE type, and whatever modifications you have made.

Starting issue/Safety Switch?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 08:31 PM
  #1  
hans2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 2
hans2112 is on a distinguished road
Default Starting issue/Safety Switch?

1994 "88" is simply not engaging the starter intermittently. I have replaced the starter and lead cable. Still it only seems to turn over when it wants to. I am thinking perhaps Neutral Safety Switch or something with the Security. I can't see how the N.*.*. would fail one minute and work the next, but it is 20 y/o electronics. So here are my ???'*: What is the location of the N.*.*. and can it be bypassed? Similarly, is there any way to disable the security system?
Reply
Old Dec 11, 2014 | 10:13 PM
  #2  
Tech II's Avatar
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 1,097
From: Worcester, Ma.
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

First check the battery cable connections at the battery, that they are clean and tight.....also the connections at the starter solenoid....

Is there a black resistor pellet on your ignition key?

If yes, when you turn your key to "on", does your SECURITY LIGHT go out after 3-5 seconds?

If it does, and then you turn your key to the crank position, and the engine doesn't crank, I would check your starter enable relay.....try swapping with another relay.....

IF the light doesn't go out, then you could have an intermittent problem with the wiring harness to the ignition lock cylinder....

Your neutral safety switch is located on top of the tranny where your cable attaches to the shift lever......the PassKey module grounds the starter enable relay(if the SECURITY LIGHT goes out), which then sends power to the starter.....

Attached Thumbnails Starting issue/Safety Switch?-0996b43f8021b002.jpg  

Last edited by Tech II; Dec 11, 2014 at 10:14 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2014 | 06:42 AM
  #3  
hans2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 2
hans2112 is on a distinguished road
Default

Ruled out the N.*.*. its something with the security. And I am glad starter relay was brought up. Because, the car has been fine for the last several days, but yesterday when the temps dropped, no start! So I am thinking cold is causing this. Could the relay be stickiing/shrinking?
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2014 | 06:52 AM
  #4  
75 racer's Avatar
Senior Member

Posts like a Camaro
 
Joined: Aug 2013
Posts: 1,014
Likes: 172
From: Northern California
75 racer is a splendid one to behold75 racer is a splendid one to behold75 racer is a splendid one to behold75 racer is a splendid one to behold75 racer is a splendid one to behold75 racer is a splendid one to behold75 racer is a splendid one to behold
Default

If your key has the little black pellet on it I'm thinking it as a wire that is broke in the Ign cylinder. Very common issue with the VATs system. Many people choose to bypass the lock cylinder by adding a resistor that is the same value as the one in your key under the dash.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2014 | 10:50 AM
  #5  
hans2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 2
hans2112 is on a distinguished road
Default

I looked up how to bypass VATS. And plan on doing just for preventative maint. BUT BUT BUT,,, temperature is playing a role in this. So I have to look into the starter relay. Is that withing the relay bank and hopefully marked???
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2014 | 06:12 PM
  #6  
jwfirebird's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,616
Likes: 594
From: western,ny state
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default

i think the are pretty well hidden up under the drivers foot area. havent personally worked on one but i think i remember a few folks that said that was were they found it
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 12:43 AM
  #7  
hans2112's Avatar
Thread Starter
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 40
Likes: 2
hans2112 is on a distinguished road
Default

Check this out.... decided to bypass vats just in case. followed instructions to a T. Car fired right up but security light stayed on. Started and shut of several times. So then I disconnected the resistor loop just see what would happen, the dumb car still started!! I decided to properly put the new connection together and see how long before I had a problem. Get that all done, start the car, NO security light. Put 100mi on it tonight. I think it worked!!! My question is, could the computer maybe has been stuck in that security mode since I was monkeying around and maybe needed to calibrate?
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 09:47 AM
  #8  
jwfirebird's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 9,616
Likes: 594
From: western,ny state
jwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond reputejwfirebird has a reputation beyond repute
Default

if its withing the window for resistance tolerance, it shouldnt be any different than the key. so maybe it wasn't connected that well the first time.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 10:12 AM
  #9  
rjolly87's Avatar
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,270
Likes: 461
From: Las Cruces, NM
rjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant futurerjolly87 has a brilliant future
Default

From what I understand, if the TDM detects there is an issue, which it only does under certain circumstances, it will allow the car to start fine without the proper feedback, but the security light will be on while this is happening. I assume it then went out because it is now getting proper resistance, or something happened with the light, but you should be able to see it flash and go out now.
Reply
Old Dec 21, 2014 | 07:45 PM
  #10  
Tech II's Avatar
Senior Member

True Car Nut
 
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 2,878
Likes: 1,097
From: Worcester, Ma.
Tech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond reputeTech II has a reputation beyond repute
Default

I agree with the guys.....it was probably a bad connection, which you repaired....
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
92Bonni
Everything Electrical & Electronic
1
Jul 22, 2010 05:20 PM
sjdon67
1992-1999
0
Jun 23, 2009 02:34 AM
KeithH
1992-1999
4
Jul 14, 2008 04:19 PM
dreuxssei
1992-1999
4
Nov 10, 2007 02:22 PM
randy
1992-1999
13
Oct 14, 2003 11:22 AM




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:27 AM.