2001 Saturn SL2 After car runs, car will not start for seve

STEVER2003

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
130,000 MILES

My 2001 Saturn SL2 has had this problem for several weeks. When the car is cold it starts with no problem. After the car runs for any amount of time (a few minutes to a few hours), the car will not start immediately, and I must wait 1-3 hours before the car starts again.

When the problem occurs and the car will not start, there is no starting sound from the starter and the engine does not crank. When the key is turned to the run or ignite positions, the electrical devices inside of the car turn on, but it seems like the starting system does not activate. Several people have suggested a problem with a solenoid.

This issue became more urgent this morning. The car started normally, but after driving about 40 feet, the car shut down. The car would not restart as mentioned above.

9 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all thank you so much for your donation. Do you have a test light or multimeter?When the car died this morning in your drive way and you tried to restart it did the starter turn the car over?The more details the better.

SPONSORED LINKS

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 1:57 PM

STEVER2003

MEMBER
4 POSTS

I can obtain a test light or multimeter.

When I tried to restart the car the starter did not turn the car over. It was the same issue as before - lights and devices in the car received power, but the starter did not crank.

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 2:22 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Well we know it's not the security system the factory one disables the fuel injector pulse's not the starter. Unless you have aftermarket alarm installed?Also I want you to make sure the battery cables are clean and tight and that the battery test's good before we start testing.I would rather you have a multimeter so we can read voltage's. Let me know when you have a multimeter and have checked the battery. Also have you ever used a multimeter?

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 2:43 PM

STEVER2003

MEMBER
4 POSTS

No factory installed or aftermarket alarm systems are installed.

I haven't tested the battery yet (I checked on the car before i reached home). I'm an electrical engineer, and I do know how to use the multimeter and understand the electrical concepts (so feel free to use some technical lingo if necessary). However, we may not even get to that point....

When I tried to start the car this evening, it did not start (typical problem, except it usual starts after a few hours, this time it sat about 12 hours). However, there's a new development: this time, gas leaked from beneath the engine area (please see attached photo. Photo taken from front right corner of car, feet in the background are standing next to driver door). When the key was turned I could hear the gas leaking. It took a few seconds for the gas to reach the bottom of the car and drip to the ground.

(I can e-mail you a larger resolution picture if necessary)

Was this

answer

helpful?

Yes

Thursday, July 29th, 2010 AT 9:12 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

Let's fix the gas leak first I don't want to see you blow up. Can you see where the gas is coming from?You should be wearing safety glasses while looking for it gas really hurt's in your eye's.