Starter problems

DBAILEY226

MEMBER
2001 SATURN SL2
1.9L
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
166,000 MILES

I have had same problems as the others in the feed. I have replaced the starter and the battery. I cannot find the starter relay if my car has one. All of my fuses are good. There is power to the starter. When you turn the key, nothing. Everything works, radio, lights, etc. When you turn the key to start, the radio cuts off so I know the ignition switch is good. It engages the electrical system. So, if my car has a starter relay, where is it located.

9 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

There is no starter relay do you have power going to the purple wire to the starter in the start position?

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Monday, August 29th, 2016 AT 12:24 PM

DBAILEY226

MEMBER
5 POSTS

Yes, however.I swapped the fuel pump relay and the HvAc blower relay and tried to start the car. Turned the key and heard a fuse blow under the hood. It was the 30 amp ignition fuse in the main fuse box. I replaced it, car started right up.

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Monday, August 29th, 2016 AT 1:00 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

That's strange which 30 amp ignition fuse I believe there is two?Probably the fuse that feeds power to the ignition switch. When you swapped the relays you pushed on the inside fuse box. On the back side of the inside fuse box there is two 68 way connectors. You want the grey one you will see a big fat red wire going into the connector. That's the main power feed to transmission fuel pump and I have seen that cause the starter to not work properly. What happens is so much power goes thru it the terminal end that connects to the fuse box pin from getting heated and cooled over and over. Becomes open and makes a bad connection. If you remove the Connector from the fuse box look at the terminals it's easy to spot if it's open.

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Monday, August 29th, 2016 AT 5:36 PM

DBAILEY226

MEMBER
5 POSTS

I thought it was strange as well and didn't feel satisfied that it was fixed. I drove it about a mile or so and parked it for about 3 hrs. Sure enough, now it won't start. So today, I will be checking your suggestions. However, on the back side of the fuse panel below the radio. I only have 1 relay. And it is a cream color or off white. No grey or black at all. Any other suggestions will also be looked at.

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Tuesday, August 30th, 2016 AT 4:17 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

That's the flasher relay I said two 68 way connectors I never said anything about checking relays.I also said there is a big red wire going to the grey 68 way connector. Please reread what I wrote and check out what I mentioned.