Cadillac Repair: engine starting problems, oldsmobile cutlass ciera, 1987 oldsmobile cutlass ciera

Question
Hi Bill,

I drive a 1987 Oldsmobile Cutlass Ciera for years without any major problem. Only recently, even if the engine get started after repeated trial, the malfunction lamp was activated. According to the code, the problems seem to related to the oxygen sensor or the fuel pump relay.
At the moment, I must keep on starting the engine again and again until the malfunction lamp disappeared.
Local mechanist tried spray cleaning of the relay and seems to work only for a short while.
I would like to know if the wear out of the platinum contact cause the problem?


Answer
Hi, I would say that if cleaning the relay contacts improved the starting then replaceing the relay yourself might allow the car to start normal again. The relays are around $10-15 so it shouldn't break the bank. The other thing you could try is trade relays with anouther one with the same part number and see how it starts. If the starting is normal then go ahead and put that relay back and install a new "starter" relay. Contacts eventually do wear out. It would help to know what the code number was because I could give suggestions of areas to look at. Hope that helps. Bill