Questions and Answers

Olds 88 Won't Run In Run Q. Hello, I hope you can help me. I have a 1968 Olds 88, 350cid 2 barrel auto, 49,000 miles. One morning I went to start it and it just laid dead. Battery was fine, got charge up to the starter so I replaced the starter. Nothing. So I retested the new starter and of course DEAD.

Third starter now, and the new problem is this; I turn the key all the way past the spring load (as normal to start the car) and the car starts great. As soon as I release the key, the car shuts off, as if I turned the key to OFF. I replaced the ignition switch, the second switch surged my ignition wires, popped the inline fuse and killed the (quite old) battery.

New battery, wiring, and third ignition switch later, I now have the same problem - turn the ignition past spring and car starts, release the key and it shuts off. If I hold the key past the spring I can keep the car running, rev it up and everything, but of course the starter motor is still engaged! If my wife holds the key while I put it in gear (to move it off the street) the car shuts off again.

I finally crossed the wires on the starter to get the car into the garage... starts great, runs great just as it should, but the car will not turn back off. Since I am on my third starter and third ignition switch, I am not sure which to go back to for a fourth replacement.

Any ideas??? This starter tested ok at the shop, but I don't think they test for what happens after the starter engages and releases, i.e. bypassing once the ignition is released. The parts shop insists that this starter is fine, but I have my doubts.

Your help would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Curt

A. The starter and solenoid are probably okay, since if either was bad it would not cause the problem you describe. You're going to have to have a good ignition switch to test the electrical system. When the ignition switch is on in the RUN position power goes from the ignition switch through the orange and brown wires to the fuse box. Now since you can hold it between run and start and the engine will run, this shows that the wiring between the switch and the fuse box is okay. The only answer can be the ignition switch itself. With the key in the RUN position there should be power at the orange and brown wires. If there isn't, the car will start and run in the START position because power will go to the ignition system through the pink wire.

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