I turn the key and the engine won't turn over, no clicking from the starter and all service lights on the dash are on as normal when starting. It does absolutely nothing. But after the car sits for a while it will start. Seems to happen no matter if it is hot or cold. Once it sat 2 days I could not get it to start so i called the wrecker and when he got in, it started right up. I banged on the starter to see if it was the bushes. I moved the shifter from park to nuteral back to park making sure it was in park still the same a discribed above. It happens at random times as it has run fine for 2 months and last night it would not start waited half hour and it started right up. started up this morning too. It has a new battery. the mechanic says he can't deterime the problem unless he sees it while it is happening and is shooting from the hip by saying replace the starter first then try the shift sensor (i forgot the name of this sensor) HELP!!!
Another idea, it may be too late, but maybe for the next problem of this nature. My daughter has a 1999 Saturn SC1. Wouldn't turn over, all lights good, and no headlight dim as I tried to start it. The battery is good (Checked with a meter) the starter works if I jumper the solenoid (Purple wire) to the positive battery.I checked the safety neutral switch (Under the brake resevoir) and it is closed in park. (This is normal) What I discovered is there is a starter relay located just under the left side of the dash cover (Two center screws, and it pulls back and up) This needs a ground. That wire is yellow with a black stripe. If your security system arms for some reason, this ground will go away. Dissconnect your battery for a while, then reconnect, put key in ignition, turn to run, then to start, then back to run, then off. This may reset it. Also check your procedure in the owners manual.
By the way... the starter relay has three other connections, all are yellow wires. One goes out under the hood to eventually become the purple wire that goes to the starter. The other becomes "hot" when turning the key to start. The last also becomes "hot" when turning the ignition key to start, and is fed from the ignition switch itself (Yellow wire)
I would suspect the starter solenoid or the starter. I may be telling you something you already know, so if I am, bear with me. When you turn the ignition key to start the car, you apply 12 volt to the starter solenoid (which is physically located on the starter). The solenoid is actually a relay that applies 12 volts( at very high current) to the starter. Since you are not hearing any clicking when you turn the key, I suspect the solenoid. BTW, when you get a starter it usually comes with a solenoid already atteched.
Hope this helps Good luck Loringh
I had a 96 saturn that would start when it felt like in it was a 5 speed it turned out to be a bad switch under the clutch pedal
On my 1999 Saturn sometimes it would not start i would let it sit awhile and then it would start. Another problem that would happen at the same time was the remote start would stop working. I could hear the relays clicking under the center console below the radio. I went to the salvage yard and bought two replacement relays. It worked a few times but the same problem started over. I removed the relay block where the relays plug in and found that it had gotten hot and melted. I was able to repair mine but others may have to be replaced. I have never had the problem return its been over a year.
Try this page here. Solution #2 worked for me. Good luck!
d_dog
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I have 97 Saturn that won't start at times, no click etc, but it's gotten 2 new starters in two years so it's not that. Changed fuel filter to make sure it wasn't clogged. That helped for awhile. Doesn't matter what I seem to do, it will work for awhile then it quits. Of course it always starts for the mechanic.
fuckin junk
Just bought 99 saturn used , ran great for months,then started having same troubles, it would start sometimes and sometimes it wouldn't . Has anybody figured the cause of this yet!!!!
Same thing 1999 Saturn SL2 Got power.....changed out out alternator and cooling fan belt and battery....will run fine for a couple days then won't start...have all dash lights...lights work...stereo works...no click no start will start after a few hours again...pissing me off
so how do i replace the starter and solinoid?
I have a 2001 Saturn that is having the same problem. Full battery power, all electrics work but car won't turn over, no noise, no clicking. Called a mechanic, he met me at my car after it sat all day and it fired right up. Drove it for about 15 minutes, shut it off, went back out and it wouldn't start. The mechanic has it at his shop right now so I'm hoping to find the issue.
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