Car will not crank over after driving

2002 SATURN SL1
80,000 MILES • 4 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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1959REDCHEVY
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Every so often after driving it for awhile and several stops and starting it will not crank over. It has happened twice in the past month. I had battery and starter checked and both are good. I was told possibly it was ignition switch. I have a lot of trouble putting the gearshift in park after driving and was thinking maybe this had something to do with it not cranking or not. (Do these cars have a neutral safety switch?) But after sitting for awhile it starts up fine. Starter relay or some kind of starter module?
Jul 9, 2018 at 5:46 PM
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JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • AUTOMOTIVE REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 110,190 POSTS
Hi and thanks for using 2CarPros.com.

There could be a few things. However, since you have trouble putting the vehicle in park, it could simply be that the neutral safety switch does not realize it is in park. A simple test is to simply see if it will start in neutral. If it does, chances are it is the switch.

If you determine the switch is the issue, it can actually be adjusted. I have attached two pictures of the component and its location. The second picture describes how it is adjusted.

You will need a multi-meter to check for continuity. Here is a link that describes how one works:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-voltmeter

Let me know what you find or if you have other questions.

Take care,
Joe
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Apr 20, 2021 at 11:16 AM