# '95 Olds 88 'Royale'

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [August 31, 2008, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918 "2008-08-31T15:13:58Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![will4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/34f0e0/32.png) [@will4life](https://community.cartalk.com/u/will4life)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2008, 3:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918/1 "2008-08-31T15:13:58Z")

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The engine would not start, with no symptoms of a sluggish battery. No success with trying to jump start it with another vehicle. Installed new battery, same problem. When I turn the key all the instrument panel icons light up and I hear a clunk; that’s it. What’s wrong?

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**Author:** ![Docnick](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ecae2f/32.png) [@Docnick](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Docnick)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2008, 3:18pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918/2 "2008-08-31T15:18:45Z")

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The problem would appear to be in you starter circuit. There is a solenoid that engages the starter, and the click means that it is not engaging. The last time I had this problem I ended up needing a new starter, but it could be a dirty connection in your case, if you’re lucky. Have a competent auto-electric mechanic check it out!

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**Author:** ![will4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/34f0e0/32.png) [@will4life](https://community.cartalk.com/u/will4life)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2008, 9:54pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918/3 "2008-08-31T21:54:43Z")

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Thanks, Docnick. Something seems to be draining the battery. When I turn the key a battery icon with the word VOLTS appears. I live many miles from the nearest mechanic and can’t afford one anyway. Plus I don’t trust them, been burned too many times…

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**Author:** ![BustedKnuckles](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bustedknuckles/32/25_2.png) [@BustedKnuckles](https://community.cartalk.com/u/BustedKnuckles)\
**Post date:** [August 31, 2008, 11:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918/4 "2008-08-31T23:57:31Z")

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This is normal. The starter will drop the battery voltage to around 8 volts. It is possible the starter is shot, and just not enough power to turn the engine. I had this happen to me.

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**Author:** ![will4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/34f0e0/32.png) [@will4life](https://community.cartalk.com/u/will4life)\
**Post date:** [September 1, 2008, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/95-olds-88-royale/18918/5 "2008-09-01T04:42:33Z")

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Thanks, BustedKnuckles. I seem to remember that placing a screwdriver across the terminals on a starter will work sometimes, but I forget the exact procedure.