FOR SATURNTECH 98 Saturn SL2 electrical wont crank

FIXITMR

MECHANIC
1998 SATURN SL2
4 CYL
2WD
MANUAL
180,000 MILES

Here is story. New battery 3 months ago. 5 days ago car is electrically dead in morning. Wiggled battery got click then dead again. Neighbor tightened cables works fine for 2 days same problem same solution go back to store they replace hot clamp all is fine then 3 days later in morning (TODAY) after driving 10 miles come to stop and stalls. Gas is near empty. Starter does not function like before but OTHER electrical IS working this time. While waiting for tow try again after 15min and it starts with some gas pedal pumping. Runs fine drives 5 miles to get gas and then back to parts store everything checks out under hood so back home. That's where we're at right now. Will be driving car again today running errands and such shortly. Weather temps have been fluctuating between 30 and below 0 today is 10 last night was -0 there are some other small electrical issues lately like dinger for key in ignition not working. Thanks

7 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

The dinger for leaving the headlights on or the key in the ignition?If so unplug the chime module make sure the connectors arent corroded. Then reinstall the chime module and reseat it. See if the chime comes back and it helps with the no crank of the starter.

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Monday, March 3rd, 2014 AT 1:14 PM

SATURNTECH9

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The starter inop then working seen a lot of failing starters do that when they get hot then work when they cool down.

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Monday, March 3rd, 2014 AT 1:24 PM

FIXITMR

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Ign dinger. Are you saying that is somehow related to starter? I was thinkin relay maybe? Is it labeled (box cover) and is there a dupe to switch with. Or just pull it and check for good contact/clean

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 AT 12:20 PM

SATURNTECH9

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Yes it can be related your rear window defroster goes thru it. Nothing to swap with uts on the back of you inside fuse box. Should be orange but could be brown white green or red.

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 AT 12:35 PM

FIXITMR

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Starter is working while hot. The problem has not happened again since yesterday morning after cold start and 10 min drive and coming to a sudden stop and stalling out. She was feeling sick from flubug I know the clutch switch has to be all the way to floor to work. Wonderin if it is adjustable?

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 AT 1:43 PM

FIXITMR

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I think you are refering to CHIME MODULE while I am asking about underhood/other fusebox relay for starter

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 AT 3:30 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

I was telling you about the chime module becasue thats overlooked for a no start and with the chime inop made me think of it. The starter relay is taped to the wire loom at the base of the steering column if that car has one. But I cant remember even replacing one in the over 16yrs with saturn. The clutch switch isnt adjustable also make sure your floor mat hasnt slid under your clutch pedal. That can effect the starting from the pedal not being able to be pushed down far enough. Also on the back side of the insidefuse box the is a grey 68 way connector pop it loose. You will see a big fat red wire going into it. See if the terminal to it is spread open compared to the other terminals that will looked closed. That wire feeds power to a lot things another thing I have seen cause stalling no starts etc.

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Tuesday, March 4th, 2014 AT 8:58 PM