1995 Saturn SC2 starter relay

Tiny
TK74DU
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 SATURN SC2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 125,000 MILES
Situation:

future son-in-law's car was parked at school on a very cold morning. Kid gets in car after school and tries to start car. Only hears a "click" (thats all he can remember).
gets his dad to replace battery. Tries to start car but only hears "click" (again, thats all he remembers). I checked voltage to + terminal at starter and got 12v. When I try to start the car I hear the injectors buzz, all dash lights are on but no "click" (as you would hear when the relay pulls in). Also, the dash lights do not dim so I suspect the relay and/or something else in the circuit (i will check park/neutral switch later this a.M.). Other than that, is there anything else I could check (i can not find location of starter relay). Please advise. Thank you, tony
Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 7:47 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,209 POSTS
To locate the starter relay ,remove the underhood junction block cover, located on the left side of the engine compartment.
There are 2 wires from it. One is yellow and goes to the neutral start switch.
The R/B color goes to RKE module..
I suspect a bad starter.
I'm sensding the wiring diagram to your email.because this one is not visible


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/46384_0900c1528017ead2_1.jpg

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Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 9:53 AM
Tiny
TK74DU
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Your diagnosis was correct!
I now have a new starter which works like a champ.
However, I now have a new situation:
After I installed the new starter the car ran fine for about an hour and then the (new) battery died.I am sure that I put the wires back on the new starter in the same configuration that they came off the old starter. None the less, I will go back on the lift tomorrow and recheck. Please advise. Thanks, -Tony
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Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 8:39 PM
Tiny
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The wiring diagram did not make it to my email account.
Please resend.
Thank You,
-Tony
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Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 8:44 PM
Tiny
MATHIASO
  • MECHANIC
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Hi Tony.
I'm sending the wiring diagram for the starting and charging system; sorry you did not get the first one.
When new battery dies like that, I would suspect a wiring problem or loose/dirty battery cable. Make sure all connections are clean and tight.
The wiring diagram contains the color of the wire and there connections.
Let's not jump to the conclusion of the voltage regulator. Because I think there is loose wire or green cheese in side the battery cables.
When the problem is found, the battery must be recharged
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 AT 1:39 AM
Tiny
TK74DU
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I recharged the battery and tested the surface voltage which read 12.24V then I started the car and checked the voltage at idle which read 11.8V so I'm not getting anything back from the alt. I cleaned the cables at the battery but could not access the alt. I am towing back to the shop to load test the alt. And clean the connections at the alt. One unusual thing I noticed was when I put the car in reverse it engaged with quite a BANG. Not sure if that is any indication but it does repeat every time I shift to R. Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Tony
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 AT 11:50 AM
Tiny
MATHIASO
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Hello tk74du

A fully charged battery should read about 12.6 volts.
If the battery reads 12.4 volts or less, it is low (discharged) and needs to be recharged.
There may be a dead cell.

Battery Voltage and State of Charge:

12.68v.......... 100%
12.45v.......... 75%
12.24v.......... 50%
12.06v.......... 25%
11.89v.......... 0%
voltage at idle which read 11.8V that is very low,
it should be between 13.8 and 14.5 V

I suspect a dead cell.
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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 AT 12:26 PM
Tiny
MATHIASO
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Hi Tony
Did you find out why is the car dying? I suspected a shorted battery. I want to make sure everything is ok.

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Thursday, December 17th, 2009 AT 1:03 AM

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