Can start and drive the car three times on the fourth time the car does not work

Tiny
HEATHER HUGGINS
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SC1
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 2,000 MILES
Okay, I describe my problem wrong the first time. If I unplug the battery negative battery terminal then hook it up again I can start and drive the car three times on the fourth time the car is dead. Is this the PCM module?
Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 6:56 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Welcome to 2CarPros.

When you say the car is dead, do you mean the battery is dead or the engine turns but will not start?

Let me know.

Joe
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 8:26 PM
Tiny
HEATHER HUGGINS
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I am guessing it is the battery and car? But shouldn't be the battery as bought a new one four days ago. Because of we unhook the neg cable for three to five minutes and hook it back up I can drive the car again for three times before it is dead again.
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Tuesday, April 23rd, 2019 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,872 POSTS
Since the battery is new, I want you to do me a favor and check alternator output. It isn't hard to do at all. Follow this link:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Also, there really isn't one component that will shut it down, allow you to disconnect the battery, and then start three more times. Make sure the battery terminals are clean and tight. Also, make sure they are not damaged. When I say clean and tight, make sure where the terminal and post meet, there is no corrosion. The battery should be clean since it is new, but the posts may not be.

Here is a link that shows how to use a voltmeter that will be needed for the alternator test:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Let me know what you find.

Joe
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Wednesday, April 24th, 2019 AT 6:22 PM

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