Piston Slap: The Olds Man and the Key

Sajeev Mehta
by Sajeev Mehta

johnkr3 writes:

I have a question about a car that is hard to start. It’s a 1995 Olds 98 (52,000 miles) that I mainly drive on the weekends. It sometimes takes four or five cranks before it will start. Rarely does it start on the first try. This is annoying and embarrassing.

My suspicions lie with the key. It is the GM key with a security feature on it, a small black square with a metal slot in it.


Sajeev responds:

Sounds like GM’s “PassKey” system in all its (faded) glory. Usually the problem stems from dirty/oxidized contacts. You can fix it by cleaning the contacts on the ignition barrel and the key. This is a free fix if you are a somewhat mechanically inclined.

I’d Google “PassKey Cleaning Contacts” and grab a can of contact cleaner from any place that sells electronic components. This link looks good.

I’ve restored 1980s electronics (and ATARI 2600 cartridges) by removing heavy oxidation on metal contacts with a pink eraser. I swear they work like magic, but only the pink ones. “Erase” the chip on the key until it shines.

If you hate PassKey with a passion, the web shows you how to splice resistors in the ignition circuit to fool your car into thinking the system is working correctly. I don’t condone it, but that’s certainly Youngsmobile thinking.

Sajeev Mehta
Sajeev Mehta

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  • Racebeer Racebeer on Mar 18, 2009
    HEATHROI Geez .... I just about snorted my Diet Coke all over the keyboard..... +1 for that comment!!!
  • David C. Holzman David C. Holzman on Mar 18, 2009

    Thanks racebeer.

  • Power6 Power6 on Mar 18, 2009

    Seems like everyone is covering the usual 3800 suspects, ingition coils/module, fuel pressure reg, cam/crank sensor. Just a couple notes to narrow it down. Cam/Crank Sensor: If either is failed the car won't start, so it would be suspect for this to be "bad" but could be flaky. Leaky Injectors: The injectors tend to leak with age, pooling fuel in the intake as they leak while the car is off, and making it hard to start, especially when the car is warm and has been sitting for a while. You can check for this by putting your gas pedal to the floor while starting, which shuts of the injectors("flooded mode") and you can see if the car starts easier. Checking the fuel pressure, while leaving the car off for a while will find this condition too. Fuel pump check valve: this is in the pump in the tank. When it fails, the pump only keeps pressure when it runs, so the "prime" before you start the car is of no use. Then you have to crank, wait for the pump to start and fuel pressure to build, then the car will start. This can be confirmed by testing fuel pressure. Also, make sure when you turn the key to the "on position" when you are starting the car, that you hear the fuel pump "prime" for a few secs, it sounds like a motor/hissing sound coming from the back of the car. Excellent advice. Get the fuel pressure checked (schrader valve on the fuel rail) with the key on, engine off. I don’t know the exact pressure of this system, but I’d expect it to be over 25psi and below 45psi. Proper fuel pressure check is going to be with the engine running. Before start, the pump is just run up to prime the system, not to bring to full pressure. Also you don't usually run out of fuel pressure when idling, so you need to drive around with the gauge taped to your windsield which is fun. Also I am pretty sure the PASSKey system will disable the starter, so if the car cranks then there is no PASSKey issue.

  • Golden2husky Golden2husky on Mar 18, 2009

    I would go with the fuel system, too. Willing to bet with that low mileage and high age, the injectors are leaky. I really don't think the passkey is the issue. My two cents...

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