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Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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nick.evans
New User
Nov 9, 2011, 6:59 AM
Post #1 of 8
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Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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1999
Saturn
Sc1
4 cylinder, single overhead cam (I was told this is what sc'1' stands for)
130,000 Miles
My saturn has been experiencing a problem that would indicate the fuel pump for several weeks. I would start it (typically early in the morning) and it would start, idle for several seconds, choke, and then die (by this I mean it sounds like the car has run out of gas, though it contains a full tank). After it choked and died I would try to start the car again and it would crank but never start. Or if I waited several minutes it would sputter very briefly but still ultimately not start. It did not blow black smoke when it did start, or while cranking. At any point in time during this all of the console lights would turn on and remain lit, the battery does not appear to in any way be an issue (but this is just from my non-mechanic outlook). I replaced the fuel filter which had not been done on the car I believe ever, but this did not resolve the issue. I took the car into a mechanic and asked him to check the fuel pump. He said that the fuel pump was not receiving power and traced the wiring back to the cab of the car, and inside the fuse box by the passengers kick board. He said that several connections were 'bad' and after cleaning them it ran, but he did say the entire fuse box is going bad. No fuses or relays were blown or not functioning, just connections on the actual circuit board according to him.
I have ran the car for about 5 days since he cleaned the bad connections on the circuit board of the fuse box, however this morning my car once again, started, choked, and died. I was able to get it started after smacking the fuse box, and holding the gas pedal slightly while starting. I can not attest that it was the act of hitting the fuse box that got it to go, as it is currently in the low 20's, however it did sound and behave exactly like it did prior to taking it into the shop.
I have had to replace the starter, the alternator, the battery, as well as wire in a 3rd party horn and relay to replace a destroyed oem horn. I have put into the car a cd player deck that used a universal plug to connect, no wiring was done on my part, however the original owner may have wired in the adapter to begin with, I am unsure. I have also wired a subwoofer to the battery terminal which is self powered, and contains a fuse on its power wire near the battery. The battery I put in is larger than the one that was originally in there.
Here is my question. I am trying to figure out if there is something electrical that is damaging the fuse box, causing it to go bad. I understand that anything electrical COULD in theory overload and cause the issue, but I'm curious if anything in particular jumps out as a common cause for a fuse box to go bad. The mechanic found a new box available from a dealership however they want $500 for it, which is quite expensive, but less then a new car. I want to diagnose the reason that the fuse box would go bad before I pay for a part that just ends up going bad for the same reason as the current one. Also curious, is there a way to repair a fuse box whose circuit board has issues, or is it better to replace it? I do have access to a very capable electrician if necessary.
I currently own a Haynes repair manual for my car which has served me very well in doing most repairs, however I do not see much information regarding the fuse box, and it's repair and/or replacement in the book. If replacing the box is ideal, and I obtained the part, can any one speculate as to the labor requirements to replace said box? Would I require any unique equipment beyond a standard tool box of wrenches, ratchets, and screw drivers?
I tried to provide as much detail as possible as to the problem. I appreciate everyone's help.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2011, 7:12 AM
Post #2 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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OK: If no power to fuel pump and "smacking" the fuse box worked with any dependability with concurrence with the tech that suggested that was the likely issue I'd pursue it. Rare to me but have found poor connections or corrosion in connections where they are fed power,
T
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nick.evans
New User
Nov 9, 2011, 7:18 AM
Post #3 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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Thank you for your quick reply. I just found a bunch of threads about people with a very very similar sounding problem that apparently was traced to a bad F-5. I don't know anything about this or it's fix but I'm researching it now to see if I can fix that rather than replacing the entire $500 box!
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2011, 7:44 AM
Post #4 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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General and about one that came my way. There was a rubber block on firewall where all wires to an interior fuse box was placed, GM full size van. Power underhood fine. Nothing inside but power outside!?
Luck was with me and that was a road call with limited tools. Took it apart (one bolt if I recall) and appeared ok complete with the bubble gum factory grease on many spade connections all at once when put back and fastened.
I just slightly twisted all male spades, re-greased a bit and when put back on everything worked. Knew this customer well and it never had a problem again! In that case the female spades were IDK why that happened and there was no corrosion but it clearly was THE problem in that one case. Not sure if you would require a whole replacement or repair of just one so would take looking at.
Your tech sounds qualified to make a decision with you based on what is found if taken apart. Bet you don't need or want all of it replaced on now an aging car and probably can be done well and properly if only one circuit involved,
T
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nick.evans
New User
Nov 9, 2011, 8:05 AM
Post #5 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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Thanks Tom, Right now I am researching all I can about the F5, what it is, what it does, and how to fix it or replace it. If it sounds very technical I'll take it to my mechanic, other wise I plan to try and attempt it. Just hoping I can find some good info about it.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2011, 8:30 AM
Post #6 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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Duh - I'm not there visually seeing what, what looks like there. $500 for new and no doubt + labor probably isn't needed. Not sure what or how much you get if you went that route?
In that some other things have some creative wiring and the age of the car I think I'd go creative or used if you can find EXACT part used with EXACT # and colors of wires as I don't think this is common.
Could also be funky intermittent relay or something else altogether fooling the diagnosis. Would hate to find out after spending time and money that it wasn't there or that, wasn't the problem,
T
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nick.evans
New User
Nov 9, 2011, 10:01 AM
Post #7 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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From what I am finding the F5 problem is pretty common with saturns. There have at least been half a dozen forum posts about it. It affects the same set of items in the fuse box (fuel pump, chime, dome lamp). I have found a few people talking about how they cleaned theirs and secured the connections better. I'm hoping I can do the same to mine and solve the issue. If it's not the F5 at least I have eliminated 1 more thing from the possible underlying issues list.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 9, 2011, 12:39 PM
Post #8 of 8
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Re: Saturn Sc1 1999, Fuse Box Going Bad?
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Retired now and just one Saturn that was a bit (no a lot) beat up always hoping it would make it out of here. 15-18,000 oil changes and noisy engine. Can't still be running at all now.
It was newer and no issues like this though. Glad you are doing the leg work for the likely fix/fixes for this even if you send it out being informed is good,
T
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