Saturn SC2 starting issue

Tiny
S2ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN SC2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 185,000 MILES
I have had a problem with my car not starting randomly for over a year. Two different times, months apart, I would go out to my car and it wouldnt start. Both times, I would send it to the shop, and they would tell me it started right up. They mentioned it being flooded with fuel. Now the car is having problems on a daily basis. Sometimes it will start; more often, it will either not even turn over; or it will turn over very slowly, sometimes after numerous attempts. A couple weeks ago, I could drive it to work, and then drive it home after my shift after it had sat for 8 hours. But if I would go to different stores and shut it off more than once or twice, it wouldnt start up again. Usually in those situations, it wont start for hours or even days, but ill come back and try 3 days later and it will start right up. The battery is new; the starter, alternator, and coil packs have all been tested/or replaced; battery cables are new. The car was running hot, which I thought may have caused it to not start, but I replaced the thermostat which fixed the overheating, and there are still starting issues. Wont turn over. Dash lights, radio, running lights all come on. But when I turn the key to attempt to turn it over, the running light shut off. It has also clicked before when I would try to turn it over, but it no longer does that. I do hear a click noise when I turn it over that sounds like it is coming from inside the cab, down under the glove compartment. I dont know what it is, but that is the only noise it makes. In a day or two the car will probably start. And if I run a couple errands to a few stores, it probably will not start at the 2nd or 3rd stop. I would rather not throw money at the ignition unless I can be sure thats what it is and not something simpler.
Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 9:14 PM

9 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So the starter has only been tested but not replaced?You can tester a starter good what fails intermintly on those cars is the starter solenoid. Do you have a multimeter or test light to do some testing?Did you make sure the battery cables are clean and tight?
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 9:34 PM
Tiny
S2ADAMS
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  • 5 POSTS
The starter was replaced not long ago. The battery cables are brand new, and they are tight.
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 9:37 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So you have a no crank meaning the starter isn't spinning the engine over?Also do you have a multimeter or test light to do some testing?Will the starter turn the engine over right now?
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 9:39 PM
Tiny
S2ADAMS
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  • 5 POSTS
I apologize.I dont believe I replaced the starter. I must be thinking of when I took it off to have it tested.
The engine as of right now will not turn over at all. After many hours, it may turn over slowly, or maybe even normal.
I do have a multimeter. So you think the solenoid could very well be the issue?
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 9:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Yeah if the starter is inop now see if you have battery voltage to the small purple wire to the starter with the key in the start position if you do bad starter.
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 10:04 PM
Tiny
S2ADAMS
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  • 5 POSTS
Ok thank you for your time
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 10:55 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome let me know what you find I would say its a bad starter though pretty common I have replaced a lot of them.
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Tuesday, June 28th, 2011 AT 11:03 PM
Tiny
S2ADAMS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
I replaced the starter and it seems fine. Thanks
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 AT 8:13 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Your welcome had a feeling it was the starter.
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Monday, July 18th, 2011 AT 8:17 PM

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