Wife's car won't start. What is going on and what do we need to do to fix it?

ADAMBRUHN

MEMBER
1999 SATURN SL1
120,000 MILES

My wife has a 1999 Satrun sl1. A few weeks ago, she was driving home from work and, in her words, the car seemed to power down. Her guages zeroed out and she coasted into a parking lot, where the vehicle came to a stop. Upon trying to start the car, it started right up with no problems.
Today, after stopping at the bank, her car wouldn't start again. Her lights and electric components come on, but turning the key in the ignition doesn't even prompt the engine to attempt to turn over. After trying for a few minutes, the car started, again with no appartent problems. What is going on, and what do we need to do to fix it?

4 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Start out by having the battery and the charging system tested. If they test OK, then you are going to have to go looking for a connection problem at a power source connection.

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Friday, December 30th, 2011 AT 11:02 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one when she was at the bank did crank and not start meaning the engine did spin over but no start?Or no crank and no start?Because if it cranked and didnt start its most likely a bad crank shaft posiion sensor really common on the 1998-2002 S model saturns.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 12:07 AM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

[quote]Her lights and electric components come on, but turning the key in the ignition doesn't even prompt the engine to attempt to turn over.[/Quote]

I went on the assumption that it did not crank.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 12:12 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
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After all the years working at the dealers and people telling me it wont turn over so I used to assume the same thing the engine wont spin. But it didnt take long to know to always ask the question does it crank no start or no crank no start.I have had so many customers tell me all the dash lights are on and it wont turn over. Meaning it just wont start lol.I had to learn to never assume anything written on the work orders or what the customers said. Wasted way to much time doing that lol. Especially when your trying help them over the internet.

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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 12:47 AM