Ok my car started to NOT start one day

CHRISTINA FIDLER

MEMBER
2000 SATURN SL1
1.9L
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
219,711 MILES

Ok my car started to NOT start one day. Stopped for lunch went to leave didn't start no sound nothing turn the key dead! All the lights and everything work the battery and the cables fine! After like a minute it started. Then same day stopped for gas and had to sit like 5 minutes after pumping gas before it would start! Progressively--in line 2 days got worse and wouldnt start at all, I could put it in gear roll it a few feet then I could get it to start when I turn the key or I could pop the clutch(which I hate to do it's hard on my old Myrtle --that's my car)--but it starts! Ok so I had the crank shaft positioning sensor replaced and for 3 days it started stopped ran no problem, last night boom wouldn't start popped the clutch drove home. This morning no start and the first time it has EVER MADE a grrrr noise when I turn the key but only for like 1/2 a second! Now dead again and all lights on!

3 Replies

STEVE W.

MECHANIC
13,003 POSTS

It sounds like you have multiple issues. One is a poor power or ground connection between the battery and the engine. It is common for the connections to corrode and fail. The repair there is to check all of the battery and power/ground connections to the engine. The grounds to the engine in particular.

Next it sounds like you may have a sticking EVAP purge valve, that could be the cause of the "fill the tank, no start" issue. If they stick open you get excess fuel vapor in the engine at start-up and the rich mixture won't fire. (Just like flooding the car). Could be related to a poor ground if the power is intermittent or low due to the resistance of a bad connection.

Doesn't sound like a crank sensor failure though, those normally mean the engine turns over but won't start, and they won't pop start either.

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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 11:16 AM

CHRISTINA FIDLER

MEMBER
2 POSTS

And oh yea tried a few tunes to start again and not even a peep lol! Isn't there a noise the car should make like a click noise of the starter is bad? Do cars still do that??

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Tuesday, April 20th, 2021 AT 11:16 AM

KASEKENNY

MECHANIC
18,907 POSTS

Normally when a starter fails it clicks or makes a grinding type noise when you are trying to start the engine.

Based on what you are describing, it does sound like you need to replace the starter as long as you have proper voltage at the starter.

Here is a guide that will help with this issue:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

Also, this guide will help with testing the voltage at the starter.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-wiring

Below is the wiring diagram which will provide the wiring info to test it.

You should have 12 volts on the red wire all the time. Then the other wire will have 12 volts when you are cranking. If you do, then the starter needs to be replaced.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-replace-a-starter-motor+

Please run through this info and let us know what you find. This applies to an issue that is happening all the time or intermittently so more than likely this is the issue. Thanks

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