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2002 Saturn SL1 with a prob. I can't pin down
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faery_glamour
New User
Apr 16, 2010, 1:22 PM
Post #1 of 2
(1339 views)
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2002 Saturn SL1 with a prob. I can't pin down
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First, the Basics:
2002 Saturn SL1, purhased in Oct. 2001 in case that makes a difference
Base model Automatic (nothing really special with the car, not even power windows or doors)
104,000 miles
About 11 months ago, my car had been left sitting for a month while I was in the hospital, so when I went to start it, it wouldn't start. I bought a new battery (1st time ever replacing the battery) and the car started just fine. Over the next few months I noticed the car was hesitating to start. About 2 months ago, I was stopped at a stop light. Light turned green, my foot when from brake to gas, but the car didn't move. It acted like the fuel injectors were not firing and pumping any fuel into the engine (no reving) despite my gas pedal being completely on the floor. After about 15 seconds, the power to my stereo completely died (even the clock disappeared on me, which my clock displays the time even without the car being on) and the problem corrected itself. I assumed the car rerouted power the fuel injectors because after about 10 seconds, the stereo came back on and the car was running relatively well. I continued to have that problem at every stop light (3 of them to be exact) the rest of my trip home.
About two weeks later, I drove my car to the grocery store. No problems at all in starting or at the stop lights. Did my shopping (about 30 minutes to an hour), and my car wouldn't start. It wasn't even attempting to crack. I called my dad to pick me up, but he came down, bumped the gear shift around (leaving it in park the entire time like it was) and my car started instantly. Drove it home with no problems.
About a week later, went to start the car again. This time it took two attempts to start the car. First attempt, the car cranked, but didn't start. Second time, it turned over just fine. My service engine soon light came on. Drove the car to the end of the road, picked the kids up from the bus stop and came home with no problems other than that light being on.
About a week later, went to start the car and again it wasn't even trying to crank. My dad brought over a battery charger. We charged it on a slow charge overnight. Started it up in the morning and car drove like there had never been anything wrong with it. I at that point thought the problem was my battery or the alternator not charging the battery properly.
This morning, needed to jump start the car this morning to drive down to AutoZone so they could tell me which one was the problem. Again, at a stop light on the way there, they car instantly died when I depressed the gas pedal. Took the battery into AutoZone to have it checked. They said the battery is at 100%, (surpisingly to them, they expected at least high 90's) so they say my problem isn't the battery or the alternator. I'm certain the problem isn't my starter because it cranks and turns over perfectly. I called a mechanic friend who suggested I make sure the battery has enough cold cranking amps. Checked the manual and compared to the battery. I need 525 CCA and have just that. Another person suggests the problem could be corrosion on the cable connections, but I've cleaned them and they are good. Another suggestion, is bad battery cables. Another is bad alternator no charging enough CCA's to the battery. Another suggestion, faulty wiring of some kind. Another suggestion, computer fault of some kind.
Basically, everyone is saying take it to a garage and let them nose around for how ever long it takes at $95/hour plus a $95 diagonstic test. If it's something simple like alternator or battery cables, I don't want to spend $$$$$ to fix it when I can just get the part and put it on myself. If it's something big like wiring or computer issues.....$$$$$ can be spent (when I find where they will be coming from). Just need some help in pinning down this problem.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Apr 16, 2010, 3:13 PM
Post #2 of 2
(1332 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 with a prob. I can't pin down
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I believe Saturns use side post battery terminals. Any could be an issue but those are more common to make erratic connections causing the issues described.
Cable ends at batter need to pry the bolt out to really clean and inspect. Then there's the other ends of those cables too. Power delivery is only as good as the weakest link.
Remember if you do this yourself, negative battery cable off first and on last when any other area are worked on is done.
You can use a "memory" saver so settings for assorted things will stay on memory while battery is disconnected. May not be a big deal with this car but is on some with lots of stuff to reset,
T
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