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2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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bhineman
New User
Jan 28, 2008, 7:45 AM
Post #1 of 7
(12543 views)
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2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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Good morning. I drive a Saturn SL1 (2002) with 80K miles. I believe it has all original parts. I bought it used 8 months ago. Has been running just fine until last week. The car started in the morning and I drove it 20 minutes to work. It sat for 8 hours and then started again. I drove it 20 minutes to my daughters school and turned it off for about 10 minutes. Then it would not start. When I turn the key, it does not crank, there is no clicking... I think I hear a humming sound? and all the lights and accessories come on. I have since been avoiding the shorter trips. I still drive it back and forth to work... I just don't shut it off when I pick up my daughter or run into the store. I tried it on a short trip yesterday and same thing. Drove fine the 20 minutes to the store, then tried one hour later and same problem. I ended up getting a ride home and went back 4 hours later and it started right up. Big car repairs just not in my budget right now... Thought maybe you could tell me some things to check out first before I drive it into the shop? I have not tried anything as of yet! Go easy on me, please... female driver here! [;)]
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 28, 2008, 8:58 AM
Post #2 of 7
(12533 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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There may be a problem with the neutral safety switch by the description. Try starting in actual neutral it might work but you'd have to catch it when it just hasn't. If a standard the same idea with the clutch. If so try pushing it further or a few times before trying. If that works it helps pin point the problem and if it doesn't it's not conclusive.
Probably not the up front issue but do find out how old the battery is. I bet the original was a Delco and most folks don't replace with the exact brand. Delco doesn't use easy to figure info which is embossed on the battery or perhaps it just says so like just a month or year indication like C-2 or 3-2 which would mean March, 2002. It's too old if original. If tricky ask a GM dealer with the emobossed code and they can tell you the day and the place it was made!
If you do need a shop's help with the starting it should be fairly easy to peg if it will misbehave in front of them,
T
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bhineman
New User
Jan 28, 2008, 9:17 AM
Post #3 of 7
(12534 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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Thanks for the reply! The car is an automatic. I read another post somewhere that recommended I try to start it in neutral. I went ahead and tried that. That didn't do the trick either. I also tried leaving it in the on position for a minute before starting. Nothing there either. I am scared to take it in as people have told me in this case they will go for the fuel pump and when that doesn't fix it, I am out a lot of money and still have the problem only needing to put more into it. I live a long ways from my family and friends and fear getting taken advantage of being a "woman" going into the shop. The battery is in fact a Delco. Should I start with a new battery?
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jan 28, 2008, 10:33 AM
Post #4 of 7
(12523 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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Ok: You said when it acts up it doesn't crank or do anything except a "maybe" hummm. It wouldn't matter if the car didn't have a fuel pump or gas tank at all if the engine doesn't even crank. This simply sounds like the starter doesn't get the signal from you turning the key which could be neutral safety switch or a problem with the solonoid or perhaps starter.
A tech would check for voltage getting to the starter motor's solonoid and diagnose from that. This seems to be engine temperature sensitive and that makes me lean towards the starter/solonoid area but that safety switch is also on the trans which holds heat longer after you shut down - hard to say but I was wondering what might be time/temp sensitive.
From what I see this could be the ....
Starter or connections,
Solonoid or connections,
Wiring along the way with any of this,
Neutral safety switch,
Ignition switch itself....
One more - does this have any kind of theft device that disables the starter?
A test: If you leave the interior light on while you try to start it take note of what it does. Dim, nothing, goes out. Does radio reset too? This might indicate a bad battery cable connection.
Side Note: Being a woman does not equal NOT knowing anything about cars - period! Taking advantage of anyone in any kind of practice is just plain wrong. You've already come here to find out what you can. Keep going - there are other sites too and other tech's here who I hope will jump in if I missed something,
T
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Lando10101
User
Feb 2, 2008, 11:51 AM
Post #5 of 7
(12507 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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Sorry you have an SL1  . Really sounds like your starter good luck please update us . And as far as being a woman driver well there are far many more women with common sense than men . Judging from my customers 0-o
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ishtariche
New User
Feb 2, 2008, 9:32 PM
Post #6 of 7
(12501 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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Did you ever solve this problem? I'm having the same exact issue with my vehicle and any advice you can toss my way would be greatly appreciated.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Feb 2, 2008, 10:46 PM
Post #7 of 7
(12500 views)
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Re: 2002 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting
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If you have the same problem it would be the same advice. Start a new thread with your specific problems as needed or just look at what's already been said.....
Quote:
"From what I see this could be the ....
Starter or connections,
Solonoid or connections,
Wiring along the way with any of this,
Neutral safety switch,
Ignition switch itself.... "
T
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