Tech Support Forum - View Single Post - 94 Olds Cutlas 3.4 intermittently fails to turn over

Blitzkreig75 · 06-23-2009, 07:05 PM

1994 Olds Cutlas Supreme
3.4 auto/AC

A little background on me, I've worked on cars my whole life. I'm no ASE guy, but I do know what I'm doing and will admit if I don't.

I've had a new battery put in with a new alternator in January '09. Replaced the starter in October '08, warrantied the starter yesterday, (6-22-09). Replaced the hot cable to the starter/battery. Solid, clean connections at both ends, (new terminals on battery).

The car will not turn over more than occasionally. Sometimes it turns over ater one try, sometimes it takes multiple tries, occasionally it turns over on the first try. These are the exact symptoms that led me to replace the starter in October '08. The car does not have a starter relay.

The problem began about two weeks ago, but has gotten more and more frequent quickly, within the last few days. Now, it almost always will not fire up right away. Hasn't gotten worse since changing the starter, but not any better, either.

I replaced the cable yesterday after replacing the starter yielded no change in symptoms. The car was fine for about 20 starts. I checked it all day at work, never failed to fire on first try. I get home, take a nap, go out to the store, and it happens all over again. No different than before I changed the starter.

Makes no difference if the engine is hot or cold. It WILL start, but I'm very concerned that one time it won't, and I'll be stranded.

Please, can anyone help me out here? I have no idea where to look next.

06-23-2009, 07:05 PM	#1 (permalink)
Blitzkreig75 Registered User Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Kansas Posts: 27 OS: WinXP Pro	94 Olds Cutlas 3.4 intermittently fails to turn over 1994 Olds Cutlas Supreme 3.4 auto/AC A little background on me, I've worked on cars my whole life. I'm no ASE guy, but I do know what I'm doing and will admit if I don't. I've had a new battery put in with a new alternator in January '09. Replaced the starter in October '08, warrantied the starter yesterday, (6-22-09). Replaced the hot cable to the starter/battery. Solid, clean connections at both ends, (new terminals on battery). The car will not turn over more than occasionally. Sometimes it turns over ater one try, sometimes it takes multiple tries, occasionally it turns over on the first try. These are the exact symptoms that led me to replace the starter in October '08. The car does not have a starter relay. The problem began about two weeks ago, but has gotten more and more frequent quickly, within the last few days. Now, it almost always will not fire up right away. Hasn't gotten worse since changing the starter, but not any better, either. I replaced the cable yesterday after replacing the starter yielded no change in symptoms. The car was fine for about 20 starts. I checked it all day at work, never failed to fire on first try. I get home, take a nap, go out to the store, and it happens all over again. No different than before I changed the starter. Makes no difference if the engine is hot or cold. It WILL start, but I'm very concerned that one time it won't, and I'll be stranded. Please, can anyone help me out here? I have no idea where to look next.