1999 Saturn SL2 Car won't start then it does

CJMALA

MEMBER
1999 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
95,000 MILES

I have another question for you. My son has a 1999 Saturn SL2. He went to start it the other day and absolutely nothing happened. It didn't even make a clicking sound. He got it started by a jump and had a new battery put in, thinking that was the problem. Today he was out and again it wouldn't start. He left it for a little while then came back and it started. He brought it to a mechanic and, of course, it continually started. The mechanic said it was probably the starter but since it kept starting he was unable to use his testing equipment to see if it really was the problem. He said a new starter would cost him from $300 to $500 so we just don't want to replace it and find out it could be yet a different problem. Any ideas? Anything else that would cause it not to start and make no clicking sound at all?
Thanks.

4 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Hi cjmala, Welcome to 2carpros and TY for the donation and selecting us as your auto repair site Feel free to ask questions at anytime and Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2010

Okay this what I want you to do disconnect the purple wires on the starter solenoid-have someone hold key at starting position and check for power at the wire-let me know asap

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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 4:45 PM

CJMALA

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I will ask my son to do that. He lives in CA and I live in NJ so I am not with him.
But since he will be bringing it to a mechanic in order to do this what should happen? If they check for power at the wire and it is there what should he do and if he checks and it isn't there then what? Do you think a new starter is where we are heading or just a new solenoid?
Long distance communication is hard because of the time difference and when I can catch him.
Thanks again.
Charlie Mala

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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 6:58 PM

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

If there's power on the wire say goodbye to the starter. BTW about time difference you're 9hrs ahead of me but a day behind from me-lol

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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 7:05 PM

CJMALA

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Okay, if I understand this correctly, IF there is power coming from the wire then the starter is shot even though it is starting the car now. Remember, it didn't start on two occasions and then started. One of those, "tooth doesn't hurt when you go to the dentist" things. If there is power coming out of the wires, which I am assuming is coming from the battery and not kicking over the starter then new starter. But what if there isn't any power coming from the wire? Then what should he tell the mechanic to look at? Also, are rebuilt starters okay for a 1999 Saturn? He has very little money.
Thanks.
Charlie

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Monday, December 28th, 2009 AT 8:08 PM