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'99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Ashtin
Novice
Sep 7, 2011, 8:18 PM
Post #1 of 10
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'99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Hello! I have a '99 Saturn SL1 4 cylinder with 110,000 miles on it. I bought it from a dealership right before they went out of business and thought I got a steal... 3 days later I try to start the car and nothing. Came out later that day and it started right up no problem. Starter turned over like a champ. From then on it's been on and off starting problems that randomly go away. Since it kept happening I have had a few repairs done to it with no luck: New starter, new battery and battery cables, and I have had it looked at by a mechanic. Everyones advice is to junk it. It's a good little car and I don't want to do that. Anyone have any ideas? P.S. this is exactly what happens when I try to turn it over:
- All lights come on and chime, headlights work and so does horn and radio etc.
- There is no clicking like the starter is trying to turn over but there is a very low buzz for a few seconds
Please Help! Also, this might not be important but it seems to happen more when it's colder or rainy.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 8, 2011, 5:13 PM
Post #2 of 10
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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You should make some electrical checks at the starter relay. When it doesn't want to crank have someone turn the key while you put a finger on top of the starter relay. The relay should click. If it doesn't click, you need to remove the relay and check the circuits for power and ground using an electrical schematic. To get to starter relay you need to remove the top of the dash. It's taped to the IP wiring harness.
Another thing is to be sure your security light isn't flashing or on when you are trying to start the vehicle. The theft system disables the starter relay, so you can't crank the engine if the theft system is activated.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 8, 2011, 5:16 PM)
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Ashtin
Novice
Sep 9, 2011, 4:14 PM
Post #3 of 10
(7892 views)
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Thanks for your answer! I tried what you said and still no luck. A friend had suggested the ignition switch and I also replaced that yesterday with no luck. Any other ideas?
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Ashtin
Novice
Sep 9, 2011, 4:16 PM
Post #4 of 10
(7891 views)
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Also I had already tried the security system with my mechanic and that wasn't the problem either.
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Mr.scotty
Enthusiast
Sep 9, 2011, 10:12 PM
Post #5 of 10
(7883 views)
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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So..., have you checked for power at the solenoid yet?
--------------------------------------------------------
Your only as good as your tools!
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2011, 8:53 AM
Post #6 of 10
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Did the relay click or not?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Ashtin
Novice
Sep 10, 2011, 8:26 PM
Post #7 of 10
(7861 views)
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Yes it clicked and yes I also checked the solenoid as well.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 10, 2011, 8:38 PM
Post #8 of 10
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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The relay clicking means the theft system allowed the relay to energize which eliminates the theft system.
If you remove the relay there are numbers on it. 85,86, 87 and 30. You know that 85 and 86 are good because the relay clicks. Check for battery voltage using a volt meter on terminal 30 in the relay cavity with the ignition in the start position. Do you have battery voltage?
Does this have automatic or manual transmission?
You stated you checked the solenoid. Does that mean you have battery voltage at the solenoid on the purple wire when you turn the ignition to start?
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
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Ashtin
Novice
Sep 11, 2011, 4:30 AM
Post #9 of 10
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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It is manual transmission. Yes there is battery voltage at the solenoid. Terminal 30 is good.
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Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 11, 2011, 7:34 AM
Post #10 of 10
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Re: '99 Saturn SL1 Intermittent Starting Problem
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Was the wire hooked to the solenoid when you check voltage at the solenoid on the purple wire?
If the purple wire was connected and you had 12 volts when turning the key to start. but the starter didn't do anything, that means you have an open circuit in the starter or bad ground.
Take your meter's red lead and probe the starter's case. Then take the black lead and touch it to the battery's negative post. Have someone turn the ignition to start. What is your voltage reading? If it is higher than .3 volts you are dropping voltage in the ground circuit.
If you are dropping voltage excessively, you can take a set up jumper cables and attach the black lead to the starter motor case or where is mounts. Then connect the other end to the negative post of the battery. If the starter takes off, check your ground cable again.
If your reading is less than .3 volts, pull the starter off and bench test it.
Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.
(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Sep 11, 2011, 9:51 AM)
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