In 1996, Oldsmobile split the Eighty-Eight Royale into three trim levels: the Eighty-Eight base sedan, the LS and the LSS. The Eight-Eight LS came with the 3.8-liter engine and four-speed automatic transmission. Replace the crankshaft position sensor -- mounted on the engine behind the harmonic balancer -- in your driveway.
Park the Eighty-Eight on firm ground. Open the hood and allow it to cool completely.
Using a ratchet handle, rotate the serpentine belt tensioner to release the pressure, and slip the belt off the tensioner pulley. Ease the tensioner down to its resting position.
Chock the rear wheels. Position a jack beneath the jacking pinch-weld, just to the rear of the wheel well.
Loosen, but do not remove, the lug nuts on the passenger-side front tire, using a tire tool. Raise the car, one side at a time, and support it on jack stands.
Finish removing the lug nuts, and remove the wheel from the hub. Remove the inner wheel-well splashguard from the wheel-well to access the sensor.
Remove the mounting bolt from the harmonic balancer, using a breaker bar and socket. Install a plate-type harmonic balancer puller, and remove the harmonic balancer from the end of the crankshaft.
Using a Phillips screwdriver, loosen the clamp screw on the crankshaft position sensor shield, just forward of the crankshaft on the lower engine block, and remove the shield from the engine.
Disconnect the sensor. Remove the sensor mounting bolts, using a ratchet and socket, and remove the sensor from the engine.
Position the sensor on the engine. Install and tighten the bolts to 30 to 35 inch-pounds, using an inch-pound torque wrench and socket. Reconnect the sensor. Install the shield and tighten the clamp screw securely.
Align the harmonic balancer keyway with the key on the crankshaft, and slide the balancer onto the shaft. Install the bolt and torque it to 110 foot-pounds plus seven degrees, using a foot-pound torque wrench and socket. Position the inner wheel-well shield and install it.
Install the wheel assembly onto the hub, and snug the lug nuts. Lower the car to the ground. Torque the lug nuts to 100 foot-pounds in a star pattern.
Rotate the serpentine belt tensioner, and install the belt. Ensure that the belt sits fully and squarely on all of the pulleys.
