My son bought a 1997 Saturn SC1 3 days ago. Several times the car would not crank, and it also stalled/died while driving twice. When this happens, the dash lights will come on when the key is turned to the "on" position, but when you turn the key to start the car, all of the dash lights go off and stay off. Radio also loses power and programmed stations are lost. The battery is brand new, and the alternator output is 14.2 +/- volts. Yesterday I removed the aftermarket alarm with keyless remote and starter cutout, and soldered and shrink wrapped the wires that were cut to install.
Today, the same issue occurred again, car died while sitting at idle as I checked out the "maintenance/wrench" light that was on. Found out the electric cooling fan and a/c system had relays missing in the fuse panel under the hood, replaced both, added 12 oz. of 134a, and it just died. The maint/wrench light did go off. When I tried to restart, the same condition described above occured. Hooked the boost box up, dash lights come on, and fires right up. Don't know when it may die or not start again. When I went to look at the car with my son, I hooked my scanner up when I found the MIL on, and pulled a crankshaft position sensor code. I reset the MIL, and there have been no P codes since. I can't scan for B codes, but with the Maint/wrench lamp off now I dont feel there are any.
I did find one TSB, Bulletin No.: 03-08-45-001, addressing Intermittent No Start, Intermittent Stall after Start-Up and/or Loss of Radio Presets, which best describes what is going on. Before I get into another 3 hours of standing on my head under the dash, is there something more obvious and simple I may be overlooking?
Hopefully not the BCM...
Regards,
48Chief
Today, the same issue occurred again, car died while sitting at idle as I checked out the "maintenance/wrench" light that was on. Found out the electric cooling fan and a/c system had relays missing in the fuse panel under the hood, replaced both, added 12 oz. of 134a, and it just died. The maint/wrench light did go off. When I tried to restart, the same condition described above occured. Hooked the boost box up, dash lights come on, and fires right up. Don't know when it may die or not start again. When I went to look at the car with my son, I hooked my scanner up when I found the MIL on, and pulled a crankshaft position sensor code. I reset the MIL, and there have been no P codes since. I can't scan for B codes, but with the Maint/wrench lamp off now I dont feel there are any.
I did find one TSB, Bulletin No.: 03-08-45-001, addressing Intermittent No Start, Intermittent Stall after Start-Up and/or Loss of Radio Presets, which best describes what is going on. Before I get into another 3 hours of standing on my head under the dash, is there something more obvious and simple I may be overlooking?
Hopefully not the BCM...
Regards,
48Chief
Jan 15, 2011 at 1:18 AM