93 88 starting issues

Hi i'm new here,I'm having a problem with my 1993 olds 88 lss.
The car don't want to start when its hot for some reason?
For exsample:If i drive the car for 45 minutes and shut it off,say to get gas it will not restart. :disappoin
I turn the key and notta? , (Ive cleaned all the connections to the battery,starter,ground.)
I then have to get under the car with a screwdriver and jump the posts on starter the start the car.
Please help, as i'm sick and tired of rollin around on the ground!
Is it time to replace the starter/solenoid??
TIA, Mike

yeah replace the starter assembly

(you lucky there quite cheap for these cars)



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and also replace the POSITIVE BATTERY CABLE. They seem to have issues in the early 90's

Ya, can the solinoid be swapped or do i have to change the whole thing?

on these starters it is a very bad idea..evenif you can just find the soloniod since these are prone to fail every 100,000 miles or so it seems. After you take everything else off to get to the solenoid you might as well do the whole unit. (Belive me I had the problem on my 87 olds (3.8l) and yeah did the solenoid only....next thing you know the starter motor died 3 weeks later.

It is also sort of like replacing just the brushings in your alternator instead of paying a tad extra for a reman unit w/new bushings, bearings and brushes with a warranty.

If you can jump the starter than the positive cable should be ok,test to see if the starter is being signaled it could just be something else.

If you can jump the starter than the positive cable should be ok,test to see if the starter is being signaled it could just be something else.


So test the signal wire with a dmm?

Is there a relay somewere that might be failing also?
Ive had this car for 6 months now and the problem has been intermitent ever since.
The previous owner had takin it to gm many times only to be told theres nothing wrong with it? :banghead:

It could be the passkey II system but that would generally trigger a security light. It will flash and nothign will happen. Jumping the terminals on the starter will not help you there. a $100 key is in store unless you can find one on ebay with the same resistance (yeah 16 different combos lol)

I would replace the starter RIGHT NOW if you can since they are known to go out on these motors more often than some.

so it has been here long enough lets figure out what is going on. Had a few more questions to make sure it is not icm....passkey...etc

First of all
WHAT IS THE PATTERN? I mean does this happen in certain temperatures or certain humidity levels? Does it happen always sometimes or never after a certain period of driving?


Second of all
has the secuirty light EVER came on or a check engine light EVER came on since or prior to the problems?

3rd and most important:
Does it click when it starts or make no sound at all?


How many miles on the car?

From what you gave already I can really only think it could be the following unless you can give a little more detail and we can narrow it down

No Start or Intermittent starts on these cars are 98% caused by:

seizing starter motor/solenoid yes you can repalce the just the solenoid but I have MANY TIMES seen problems with the motor itself (like on my car) actually killing or making the solenoid malfunction.

Loose or positive battery corroded positive battery cable - note these were a big problem with the early 90's 3800s (no always on the ends either, sometimes rotted out inside)

Worn tumblers in ignition cylinder? - Serious problem but USUALLY jumping the solenoid terminals will not help (or it should not if your system is fucntional)

VATS Module - not sure exactly if this would be a problem on your car, since the LSS in 1993 IS EXTREMELY RARE at least that package which I assume is the same as the bonnevilles and such, they have issues with the module and similar problems. But does it have an alarm or no? Obviously you have keyless entry if LSS but if you leave a window open and unlock thru the window does the horn trigger?

back to the solenoid you CAN DO THAT but I dont know if you can find it.

01114531 is the part number for your year

ANOTHER THING I JUST FOUND, go to gmpartsdirect.com and type in

10465018

The price is 63.33 with a $25 core + shipping (which may be a pita) but still that is DIRT CHEAP for a GM OEM starter or go the dealership and pay 125 or autozone and pay 99. Either way IT IS A GOOD IDEA to replace the starter as preventative maintenance on any older car.

Firt q: Temp outside makes no difference,Never had the problem when the cars cold,Only after being drivin for awile(warm).
#2:No security light comes on
#3:No click at all.
I spoke to the previos owner and he tells me,
The starter was replaced
He bought a new key
Had the car to the dealership many times but problem was never found.
The car has a clifford alarm/remote start
208.000 miles.
The old fella i got the car from had it at the dealership for every sqeak! so it was well looked after.
It can sometimes go weeks without any issue then bamm it comes back with a vengence!

BTW its a RLS sorry for the mistype before

You have done just about all but replace the ignition switch,which could be the culprit,some times the tiny wires on the switch will sometimes make and break without the code being set.Aso if you can disconnect the remote starter system and see if this helps. good luck

This weekend i'm gonna put a new battery to starter cable cause the old one looks a little raggety.
Also the indash information centre is having some issues as well.
It works intermitently too, when it comes back on it says battery re-connect?PITA!
I'll be back,(in my best Arnold voice,lol)

The car has a clifford alarm/remote start




I smell something here.

These cars are very difficult to get to integrate with the Passkey system with aftermarket remote starting setups.


DOES THE SECURITY LIGHT COME ON PRIOR TO STARTING THE CAR? like when the other check engine lights and such come on?

DOES THE SECURITY LIGHT COME ON PRIOR TO STARTING THE CAR? like when the other check engine lights and such come on?


No security light at all just the regular stuff, Been so busy this weekend i havent had a chance to look at it yet. :banghead: