Ignition

20THCENTBOY

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SL2
120,000 MILES

Couple of months ago the car wouldn't start. My father-in-law tested the starter at a retailer and it was good. Put it back in and checked the fuse and battery and then it started running again. Last week it cut off and let it sit awhile and it started running. Later that evening it wouldn't crank again. This is this first time I was around to see it not start. Turn the key, dash and lights come on, there is a click at the ignition switch but nothing else. Fuse good, starter tested at reatiler again(its good)tested safety switch at clutch with meter it tested good, took off ignition switch(black relay type cube behind ignition cylinder)reconnected everything and it started up. Tonite it died again. Replaced ignition switch, nothing. Replaced safety switch, nothing. Checked fuse, good. Had to leave the vechile. What should I check or do next? Could it be a relay or fuse I'm not checking?

7 Replies

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,411 POSTS

Your starter could still be defective. When they bench test it, it almost always shows good because it is not trying to turn over an engine. Once it is back on if the starter is failing it is almost impossible to turn the engine over. Do a couple of checks to check the starter. Do a voltage drop of the battery cable to check for any high resistance. Also at the solenoid wire while cranking you should see battery voltage while in the crank position. If that is good and the engine does not turn over then replace the faulty starter. Good luck and let me know what you find.

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 4:52 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Just to add to this one you said it died while driving?If thats try then you have two different issues what caused it to die while driving and what caused it to not turn over. Lets start with the no start when it doesn't turn over the engine see if you have power to the purple wire at the starter if you do and you have power to the red postive battery cable and its tight bad starter. What usually happens on those is the solenoid on the starter fails but they don't sell them by themselves so you have to replace the whole starter. If it's dieing while driving it's most likely a bad crank shaft sensor 1998 and up saturn S models are known for bad crank sensors. Next time it dies while driving and cranks and won't start see if you have spark. Let me know what you find.

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Saturday, May 14th, 2011 AT 10:08 PM

20THCENTBOY

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19 POSTS

Ok replaced the starter. Now I get a hum noise from the starter like its trying but still nothing. Took the battery to store had it charged. Tried again and same noise but no start. Also the car just would not start it did not die while driving. 3 parts replaced 1 charging n still no start. I did not have that noise previously before chamging the starter. Any ideas?

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Sunday, May 15th, 2011 AT 1:27 AM

20THCENTBOY

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19 POSTS

Also, checked voltage from starter( purple wire) bottom post and it only had 3 volts coming out. 12 volts is on the top post from battery. Just to add on

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Sunday, May 15th, 2011 AT 2:28 AM

20THCENTBOY

MEMBER
19 POSTS

I GOT IT. The new starter had 3 post when the old one had 2 post for running. Noticed this when taking off the new one. If you guys and a friend had not told me about replacing the starter I would not even be this far. I won't believe those retail machines for starters anymore. Thanks Fellows.