1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 No Ignition Power

1985 OLDSMOBILE
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RALPHIE
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Need help please, 1985 olds delta 88, 350 v8 auto 85000 miles. My neighbor was driving down the road and his car went dead in the middle of the road. The battery is new and the headlights are bright when on but there is no power to the ignition switch when you turn it. Nothing happens at all. We pulled it home. Can anyone tell us what may have went wrong? Thank you very much....Ralphie
Jan 25, 2007 at 11:02 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Try putting it in nuetral and cranking it.
Jan 25, 2007 at 11:26 AM
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RALPHIE
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Thank you for your reply, We tried to crank it in neutral, nothing happens. When you turn on the headlights and turn the switch it doesn't affect the headlights at all. No lights on the dash or anything. Any thoughts?....Thank you.. Ralphie
Jan 25, 2007 at 12:06 PM
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SERVICE WRITER
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I would suspect one of two things. Ignition switch or a bad connection. IF you checked for any loose or corroded connections from the battery to ground, to the starter etc.
Jan 25, 2007 at 8:57 PM
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RASMATAZ
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Check all your fusible links. When you turn the key to On, again do you see any panel lights
Jan 25, 2007 at 9:04 PM
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RALPHIE
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Thank you both for your replies, it was dark and 20 degrees when it broke down so we will check out your suggestions today and report back. And for the record there are no lights on the dash when you turn on the switch but the headlights work ok and turning the switch on and to start position has no effect on anything.....thanks again,Ralphie...
Jan 26, 2007 at 12:11 AM
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RALPHIE
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Checked the wires going to the starter and of the two small red wires one of them is broken where it goes around the starter guard, which is loose and I guess it vibrated so much it broke the wire. We're going to repair it and hope this is the problem. Thank you all for your help.....Ralphie....Man it's cold out there......
Jan 27, 2007 at 7:42 AM
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RASMATAZ
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[quote:2591271527="Ralphie"]Checked the wires going to the starter and of the two small red wires one of them is broken where it goes around the starter guard, which is loose and I guess it vibrated so much it broke the wire. We're going to repair it and hope this is the problem. Thank you all for your help.....Ralphie....Man it's cold out there......[/quote:2591271527]

Get that baby going and you'll be warm and cozy.
Jan 27, 2007 at 9:07 AM
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SERVICE WRITER
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Update us!
Jan 27, 2007 at 10:52 AM

Suggested Repair

Repair the broken small red starter wire and secure the loose starter guard so vibration cannot break it again. Also inspect battery, ground, and starter connections and check the fusible links if power is still missing at the ignition switch.

Conversation Summary

A 1985 Oldsmobile Delta 88 with a 350 V8 died while driving. The battery was new and the headlights stayed bright, but the ignition switch had no power, the dash lights did not come on, and cranking in neutral did nothing. Experts suggested checking the ignition switch, battery-to-ground and starter connections, and fusible links. The owner then found one of the two small red starter wires broken where it passed a loose starter guard and planned to repair it.

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