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2001 Saturn L200 Repair Question


Topics covered: Battery, Ignition switch, Battery cable.
Mileage: 140,000 miles.

Asked on November 4, 2011

What else could be causing this problem? next step?

Car would not crank, took the key out of the ignition and it tried to crank itself so I put the key back in the ignition and it cranked that time but made a squealing, grinding noise when in park. I drove down the road put it in park it did it again but when put in park a third time it was fine. I drove home and a few hours later it would not even turn over. I replaced the battery and the starter and solenoid but it still won't crank. All lights, radio, etc are working fine but it won't even turn over.
Avatar Asked by inferno

Answer

Replied on November 4, 2011

Do you have a multimeter or test light to do some testing?Also you made sure the battery cables are clean and tight?

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,178 answers provided
Replied on November 4, 2011

Battery cables are clean and tight. I will have to buy/borrow a tester. What are the first few things to start testing? Could it be the ignition?

Tiny Response from inferno
1 question asked
Replied on November 4, 2011

The first thing i would have you check is the yellow wire that comes off the ignition switch it should have power with the key in the start position.Also have you checked all the fuses?

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,178 answers provided

Replied on November 6, 2011

The fuses are all good. There are 2 yellow wires coming off the ignition, I'm getting absolutely nothing off of one of them and only 3 volts off of the other one.

Tiny Response from inferno
1 question asked
Replied on November 6, 2011

You want the yellow wire at terminal C of the ingition switch connector that should have battery voltage when the key is in the start position.The big red wire to the ignition switch should have battery voltage all the time.Let me know what you find.

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,178 answers provided
Replied on November 6, 2011

The red wire does have voltage all the time. But the yellow wire has nothing with the key in the start position.

Tiny Response from inferno
1 question asked

Replied on November 6, 2011

If the red wire has battery voltage and the yellow wire has none with the key in the start position bad ignition switch.I have seen a few bad ones do what yours is doing.

Tiny Answered by saturntech9 (expert)
23,178 answers provided