96 Olds "88" cold weather problem?

1996MONTESS

1996MONTESS

Club Member
Just got the car used 2 months ago. No problems until Wed am.

Wouldn't remote start, go out, and there is barely enough juice to start the car. The lights are dim, and its slow to turn over, but both mornings, it does start.

Then, only on the morning drive in, I don't have full power. Like 60%, at most. Drive from Walled Lake to Redford, side streets and highway, and don't have full power. Then after sitting for a few hours at work, jump in, start it right up, and BAM, full power again.

Going to scan it tomorrow, but I don't get it. Hard to tell if its a battery or starter?

Any help in the meantime?
 
What do u mean by power? Performance or electrical ? If performance related I'd point at fuel system (filter/pump) if electrical I'd go with alt regulator.
 
I would vote for the battery. Batteries that are weakened usually don't show any signs of being a problem until it gets cold. The cold reduces the amount of amperage output. That is why batteries are rated in "Cold cranking amps."

You might also have a problem with the alternator too. The morning hard start is definitely the battery. But the 60% power is very curious. The battery might also influence that but once the car is running you should be able to disconnect the battery and the car should stay running on just the alternator.

Have the battery tested at the auto parts store. O'Rielly's, Autozone, or Advance Auto all will test them for free; I am sure others do also. It might be a good idea to have the alternator tested too but the battery will be the best part to start with.

Good luck. Let us know what it turns out to be!
 
Forgot to reply back in here.

It ended up being the battery. It was a low voltage in the TPS sensor, which was why it was restricting power in the AM. Took the battery to AA, and it had 15.... 15!!!!! CCA, out of 650... lol. Bought a new battery, and not one problem.
 
96 Olds "88" cold weather problem

Im going to guess you have a contactor problem. You can check and make sure you have power going to it when pushing the switch, depends on which way you activating it as to which of the 2 wires coming from the switch will have power. Since its happening with both the stationary switch and the remote I would guess the contactor.
 
MiusMarta said:
Im going to guess you have a contactor problem. You can check and make sure you have power going to it when pushing the switch, depends on which way you activating it as to which of the 2 wires coming from the switch will have power. Since its happening with both the stationary switch and the remote I would guess the contactor.
Click to expand...

Im going to go out on a limb here and say that your wrong.... based only on the fact that he replaced the bad battery, and has not had a problem since. You never know though, the "contactor" you speak of, could be the problem why hes only getting 30 giggawatts instead of 60. :doh:
 
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