The starter in your 1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale uses battery voltage and current to rotate the engine when the ignition key is turned to the "Start" position. If a short develops in the starter motor or solenoid, or if the brushes in the motor lose contact, the starter will require replacement. Changing the starter in this car is similar to the procedure for other General Motors front-wheel drive cars and you can usually do it in about an hour.
Disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery using an 8 mm wrench to unscrew the cable bolt. The battery in the 1994 Oldsmobile 88 Royale is located in the passenger-side front of the engine compartment between the radiator and the coolant reservoir.
Block the rear wheels using the wheel chocks and position the floor jack under the front of the front sub-frame, under the front of the car behind the front bumper. Apply the parking brake and raise the car with the floor jack until you have room enough to work underneath. Place jack stands under the left and right sides of the sub-frame and lower the car onto the stands to support the weight of the car safely.
Remove the plastic inspection cover that surrounds the front of the starter by removing the two 10 mm bolts with a wrench. Remove the support bracket from the back of the starter using a socket, extension bar and ratchet.
Remove the two 15 mm starter bolts that attach the starter to the engine block using a 15 mm socket and ratchet and lower the starter down slightly. Remove the 13 mm cable nut and 8 mm starter signal wire nut from the back of the starter solenoid, located on top of the starter, and lower the old starter to the ground.
Transfer the support bracket on the back of the starter to the new starter and slip the starter into position. Install the cable and starter signal wire on the back of the starter and tighten them snugly using wrenches.
Slip the 15 mm starter bolts through the starter into the engine block and screw them in a few turns. Screw the support bracket bolts through the bracket into the engine and turn them a few turns. Tighten the starter bolts and bracket bolts securely. Reinstall the inspection cover around the front of the starter.
Reconnect the negative battery cable and tighten the cable bolt securely. Raise the car off the stands and remove the stands. Lower the car to the ground. Start the engine to verify the repair is complete.
