98 Olds 88 starting problems.

[aquariuscsm]

My gf`s Olds 88 has been having some random starting problems lately. When you turn the key,the dash lights totally dim out,and the started doesn`t even make a hint of a noise. Let it sit for 1 minute and it starts up just fine. Stopped by Autozone to have them check the battery,and they hooked up thi sdiagnostic machine. Showed the battery is perfect,and all the other aspects of the electical checked out perfect too. Side note,I opened the hood this time when it didn`t want to start,and smelled a burning smell. What could it be?

 

[cchase]

I'm guessing some issue with the starter motor is causing a dead short.

 

[sciphi]

Check the positive battery terminal for looseness. That side-post battery terminal is awful for loosening up. Way too much stuff hanging off of it.

 

[aquariuscsm]

Originally Posted By: sciphi

Check the positive battery terminal for looseness. That side-post battery terminal is awful for loosening up. Way too much stuff hanging off of it.

Bingo! Fixed ;^) Thanks so much!

 

[MrCritical]

And if it wont stay tight, you probably need a new battery.

 

[GMBoy]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

Originally Posted By: sciphi

Check the positive battery terminal for looseness. That side-post battery terminal is awful for loosening up. Way too much stuff hanging off of it.

Bingo! Fixed ;^) Thanks so much!

That is such a common issue that GM finally got away from the side terminal batteries.

 

[sciphi]

Originally Posted By: aquariuscsm

Originally Posted By: sciphi

Check the positive battery terminal for looseness. That side-post battery terminal is awful for loosening up. Way too much stuff hanging off of it.

Bingo! Fixed ;^) Thanks so much!

Yay, I'm right for once! That issue left me sitting 4-5 times with my old Buick. When the car wouldn't start, it was the first thing I checked. Replacing the OEM battery bolts with new aftermarket replacements solved the issue permanently.

 

[artificialist]

My auto teacher once told me about a problem found on batteries that have side and top terminals. Sometimes the connection inside the battery would break, leaving power to the top terminals but not the side ones. People would load test the top terminals, see no problem, and then go down the diagnostic flowchart and find nothing. Good thing that didn't happen to you.

 

[mechtech2]

Originally Posted By: artificialist

My auto teacher once told me about a problem found on batteries that have side and top terminals. Sometimes the connection inside the battery would break, leaving power to the top terminals but not the side ones. People would load test the top terminals, see no problem, and then go down the diagnostic flowchart and find nothing. Good thing that didn't happen to you.

Hmmmm... Interesting. Tough to diagnose this odd one!