1990 Oldsmobile 88 problems

General information about Oldsmobile-88
Overview of popular issues
Analysis of common problems
Сomplaints list
Recalls list

The Oldsmobile 88 (marketed from 1989 on as the Eighty Eight) is a full-size car that was sold and produced by Oldsmobile from 1949 until 1999. From 1950 until 1974, the 88 was the division's most profitable line, particularly the entry level models such as the 88 and Dynamic 88. The 88 series was also an image leader for Oldsmobile, particularly in the early years (1949–51), when it was one of the best performing automobiles, thanks to its relatively small size, light weight, and advanced overhead-valve high-compression V8 engine. This engine, originally designed for the larger C-bodied and more luxurious 98 series, also replaced the straight-8 on the smaller B-bodied 78. With the large, high performance V8, the Oldsmobile 88 is considered by some to be the first muscle car, although this title is disputed.

Naming conventions used by GM since the 1910s for all divisions used alphanumeric designations that changed every year. Starting after the war, Oldsmobile changed their designations and standardized them so that the first number signified the chassis platform, while the second number signified how many cylinders. A large number of variations in nomenclature were seen over this long model run — Super, Golden Rocket, Dynamic, Jetstar, Delta, Delmont, Starfire, Holiday, LS, LSS, Celebrity, and Royale were used at various times with the 88 badge, and Fiesta appeared on some station wagons in the 1950s and 1960s. The name was more commonly shown as numerals in the earlier years ("Delta 88", for example) and was changed to spell out "Eighty Eight" starting in 1989.

First generation (1949–1953)

Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and 98, and took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup. The new car used the same new A-body platform as the straight-6 engined 76 but paired it with the new 303 cu in (5.0 L) Rocket V8 engine producing 135 horsepower (101 kW). This combination of a relatively small light body and large, powerful engine made it widely considered to be the first muscle car. The Rocket 88 vaulted Oldsmobile from a somewhat staid, conservative car to a performer that became the one to beat on the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing) circuits.

It won six of the nine NASCAR late-model division races in 1949, 10 of 19 in 1950, 20 of 41 in 1952, and was eventually eclipsed by the low-slung, powerful Hudson Hornet, but it was still the first real "King of NASCAR." This led to increased sales to the public. There was a pent up demand for new cars in the fast-expanding post-World War II economy, and the 88 appealed to many ex-military personnel who were young and had operated powerful military equipment.

The 88 enjoyed great success, inspiring a popular 1950s slogan, "Make a Date with a Rocket 88", and also a song, "Rocket 88", often considered the first rock and roll record. Starting with the trunk-lid emblem of the 1950 model, Oldsmobile would adopt the rocket as its logo, and the 88 name would remain in the Olds lineup until the late 1990s, almost until the end of Oldsmobile itself.

The 1949 model was equipped with an ignition key and a starter push-button to engage the starter. Pushing the starter button would engage the starter, but if the ignition key was not inserted, unlocking the ignition, the car would not start. The car was equipped with an oil bath air cleaner. At the bottom edge of the front fender directly behind the front wheel was a badge that said "Futuramic" which identified an Oldsmobile approach to simplified driving, and the presence of an automatic transmission. V8 Oldsmobiles were automatic-only in 1949 as Oldsmobile lacked a manual gearbox that could handle the torque of the new engine.1948 Oldsmobile Futuramic introduction In 1950, Oldsmobile offered a modified Cadillac manual gearbox for V8 models. The 88 now outsold the six-cylinder 76 lineup, which was dropped entirely after the 1950 model year. It had a 40 ft. turning circle. Hershel McGriff and Ray Elliot with the 1950 model won the 1950 Carrera Panamericana.

For 1951, the 88 became the entry-level Olds with the discontinuation of the six-cylinder 76 line, which meant that all Oldsmobiles were powered by Rocket V8s. An in-house manual transmission replaced the modified Cadillac gearbox, but as the 1950s progressed, manual shift became increasingly rare in Oldsmobiles and normally could only be obtained by special order. New this year was the more upscale Super 88 line on the new GM B-body which included restyled rear body panels, a more luxurious interior, and a slightly longer 120 in (3,048 mm) wheelbase as opposed to the 119.5 in (3,035 mm) wheelbase which had been standard since the 88's introduction. The station wagon was discontinued and would not reappear until the 1957 model year. New was an I-beam frame. Hydraulic power windows and seats were optional.

In 1952, the base 88 shared the Super 88's rear body panels and wheelbase, and came with a Rocket V8 and two-barrel carburetor while Super 88s came with a new four-barrel carburetor upping the output to 160 hp (119 kW). Other mechanical features were unchanged with styling changes amounting to new grilles, taillights, and interior revisions. New was the optional automatic headlight control.

For 1953, the base 88 was renamed the DeLuxe 88 for only this one year while the Super 88 continued as a more upscale version. Engines and transmission offerings were the same as 1952. Late in the 1953 model year, a fire destroyed GM's Hydra-Matic plant in Livonia, Michigan, which was then the only source for Hydra-Matic transmissions. The temporary loss of Hydra-Matic production led Oldsmobile to build thousands of its 1953 models with Buick's two-speed Dynaflow automatic transmissions until GM pressed its Willow Run Transmission plant into service to resume Hydra-Matic production. New options this year included Frigidaire air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes.

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Common 1990 Oldsmobile 88 problems

The 1990 Oldsmobile 88 is a popular car, but like any vehicle, it has its own set of common problems. One of the most frequently reported problems is related to the ignition control module. This component is responsible for controlling the ignition system, and when it fails, it can lead to a variety of issues such as difficult starting, stalling, and rough running. A diagnostic test, especially if conducted at Triple A or a similar auto repair service, can help identify this issue.

Another common problem with the 1990 Oldsmobile 88 is related to the ignition coil pack. The ignition coil pack is responsible for converting the battery's low voltage to the thousands of volts needed to create an electric spark in the spark plugs to ignite the fuel. When the ignition coil pack fails, it can cause a variety of problems such as engine misfiring, stalling, and difficulty starting the car.

The 1990 Oldsmobile 88 also has issues with the alternator and timing chain tensioner. The alternator is responsible for charging the battery and providing power to the car's electrical systems while the engine is running. The timing chain tensioner keeps the timing chain at the correct tension to ensure proper engine timing. When the alternator or timing chain tensioner fails, it can lead to a variety of problems such as engine misfiring, stalling, and difficulty starting the car. The alternator may need to be replaced multiple times, and the timing chain tensioner may also need to be replaced to address these issues.

It's important to note that the 1990 Oldsmobile 88 may also have safety issues and recalls that could affect its performance and reliability. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) maintains a database of recalls and safety issues for vehicles of this year, make, model, and trim. If you are a vehicle owner, it's recommended to search for recalls related to your specific car to ensure that it is safe and reliable to drive.

In summary, the 1990 Oldsmobile 88 is a popular car, but it has its own set of common problems. These include issues with the ignition control module, ignition coil pack, alternator, and timing chain tensioner. It's important to address these issues promptly to ensure the safe and reliable operation of the car. Additionally, it's recommended to check for any recalls or safety issues related to the car to ensure its safety and reliability.

How much is an Oldsmobile 88 worth?

Q: What was the lowest recorded sale price for a Oldsmobile 88? A: The lowest recorded sale price was $770 for a 1950 Oldsmobile 88 Coupe on Oct 14 2022. Q: What is the average sale price of a Oldsmobile 88? A: The average price of a Oldsmobile 88 is $34,231.

What does 88 mean in Oldsmobile?

Introduced in 1949, the Oldsmobile 88 was the automaker's mid-range model, nicer and more powerful than the base Olds 76, but not as elegant as the top-of-the-line Olds 98.

What is a 1995 Oldsmobile 88 worth?

The value of a used 1995 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale ranges from $166 to $737, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

What was the first year of the Oldsmobile 88?

1949

Oldsmobile 88 (a.k.a. Eighty Eight) was a car distributed via Oldsmobile division of General Motors. The car was first manufactured in the 1949 model year. It underwent many facelifts and redesigns over the years.

What does 88 mean in Oldsmobile?

Oldsmobile introduced the 88 badge in 1949. It was named to complement the already-existing 76 and 98, and took the place of the straight-8 engined 78 in the model lineup.

How much is an Oldsmobile 88 worth?

Who makes Oldsmobile 88?

General Motors

Oldsmobile (formally the Oldsmobile Division of General Motors) was a brand of American automobiles, produced for most of its existence by General Motors.

How much is a 1994 Oldsmobile 88 worth?

The value of a used 1994 Oldsmobile Eighty-Eight Royale ranges from $580 to $2,216, based on vehicle condition, mileage, and options.

1990 Oldsmobile 88 car problems categorized by type of issue

After analyzing all complaints sent to the NHTSA and researching popular Oldsmobile 88 problems, we found that the most common problems with these 2023 model year vehicles are:

Engine and engine cooling problems
Service brakes problems
Hydraulic problems
Electrical system problems
Seat belts problems

The graph below shows statistics for all 1990 Oldsmobile 88 vehicle components and the number of complaints received.

Latest 25 complaints 1990 Oldsmobile 88

The NHTSA has received 29 complaints about various vehicle components related to the 1990 Oldsmobile 88. Below are the 25 most recent complaints reported for 1990 Oldsmobile 88 vehicles.

2005-10-13

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

Date Of Incident: 2005-09-11
VIN: 1G3HN54C6LH
Components: SEAT BELTS
Summary: DT: 1990 OLDSMOBILE DELTA 88. THE CONTACT STATED THE DRIVER'S SIDE SEAT BELT DOES NOT STAY CLOSED. THE CONTACT CALLED OLDSMOBILE, AND THEY STATED SEAT BELTS WOULD NOT GET FIXED BECAUSE IT WAS NOT UNDER WARRANTY. THE VEHICLE HAS NOT YET BEEN TAKEN TO THE DEALERSHIP TO DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM. THE PROBLEM OCCURRED FOR A MONTH. THE SEAT BELT DID NOT WORK. THE CONTACT HAD TO PUT HIS SEA BELT INTO THE PASSENGER'S SIDE SEAT BELT. *AK

1990 Oldsmobile 88 problems

Table of contents

First generation (1949–1953)

Social links

Common 1990 Oldsmobile 88 problems

How much is an Oldsmobile 88 worth?

What does 88 mean in Oldsmobile?

What is a 1995 Oldsmobile 88 worth?

What was the first year of the Oldsmobile 88?

What does 88 mean in Oldsmobile?

How much is an Oldsmobile 88 worth?

Who makes Oldsmobile 88?

How much is a 1994 Oldsmobile 88 worth?

1990 Oldsmobile 88 car problems categorized by type of issue

Latest 25 complaints 1990 Oldsmobile 88

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

TIRES PROBLEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING,STRUCTURE PROBLEM

SEAT BELTS PROBLEM

TIRES PROBLEM

FUEL SYSTEM, GASOLINE PROBLEM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

ELECTRICAL SYSTEM PROBLEM

SEATS PROBLEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

POWER TRAIN PROBLEM

STRUCTURE PROBLEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

VISIBILITY PROBLEM

STEERING PROBLEM

STEERING PROBLEM

UNKNOWN OR OTHER PROBLEM

SERVICE BRAKES, HYDRAULIC PROBLEM

ENGINE AND ENGINE COOLING PROBLEM

1990 Oldsmobile 88 recalls

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Additional sources

1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Q&A: Common Problems & Recalls

1990 Oldsmobile Delta 88 Problems and Complaints - 21 Issues

Q&A: 1991 Oldsmobile 88 Royale - Maintenance Tips

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78 Olds Delta 88 Royale Heater Problem - ClassicOldsmobile.com

Other years of Oldsmobile 88

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