I have a four door 1999 Saturn SL2 Automatic that just recently started having electrical issues. About two months ago was driving in extreme heat, shut off to fill with gas, and would not restart. After sitting in shade for about an hour (jump did no good battery fine) it restarted and made it home and then died again. Helpful mechanic diagnosed it with testing meter to be Relay switch--and we replaced the main one and the one that controlls the AC to be safe (and even bought two spare just in case). Ran great for about a month. Then another scorcher....died....remote keys/alarm would not work/radio would not work/car would not start/ headlights work/interior light works/dash lights come on when try to start.....no fix when change out relay switches.....Let car sit for 2-3 hours....started and ran fine for 1-2 weeks (but radio/clock all reset)
Happened again today...very hot and humid...all above symptoms...towed home....called mechanic and described...he wants me to research too as he's stumped. Luckily home and so is car...and can borrow if can...research seeming to say to start with Crank Position Sensor? Does this sound posible? I'm sure it will be tough to test as by the time he can look at it, it will probably start again...and I do not have much knowledge or meters...I just need advice to help point him and not empty my bank. Any/all help will be GREATLY appreciated!!!
Hopes this help, found answer on Saturnalia
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=135171
If your mechanic has a schematic or looks in the owners manual and checks the loads listed for the IP BAT fuse in the UHJB and they are all dead then its the F-5 connection. The fuel pump is a direct feed from the IP BAT to F-5 to the fuel pump relay. the fuel pump fuse is on the other side of the fuel pump relay.
It covers exactly what I am trying to tell you. Check the IP BAT loads, if all dead, fix F-5 and if the internal wire is burned open replace the I/P panel.
File in Section: 08 - Body and Accessories
Bulletin No.: 03-08-45-001
Issue Date: May, 2003
Subject:
Intermittent No Start, Intermittent Stall after Start-Up and/or Loss of Radio Presets (Replace Instrument Panel Junction Block - IPJB and/or Terminal)
Models Affected:
1995-1999 Saturn S-Series Vehicles
Attention: Technician
Condition:
Some customers may comment that one or more of the following conditions has occurred.
^ Intermittent no start
^ Intermittent stall after start-up
^ Loss of radio presets
Cause:
Condition(s) may be caused by terminal tightness at PIN F-5 within the Instrument Panel Junction Block (IPJB Black 68 way).
Correction:
Refer to the Instrument Panel Junction Block (IPJB) and/or Terminal Replacement procedures in this bulletin.
Procedure:
Instrument Panel Junction Block (IPJB) Removal:
1. Disconnect negative battery cable.
2. Disconnect positive battery cable.
3. Remove left and right lower trim panel extensions by pulling outward at dual lock locations. Rotate panels outward to disengage hinges from console.
4. Remove screw and ground wire from H-bracket.
5. Remove wiring harness from H-bracket.
6. Remove screw and disconnect rear electrical connector from IPJB. Remove IPJB screw.
7. Using a small screwdriver, release lock tabs on IPJB and slide off of mounting tabs.
8. Feed IPJB through H-bracket towards front of car.
9. Inspect PIN F-5, circuit 402 on the Black 68-way connector of the instrument panel junction block for signs of arcing. If signs of arcing are present, replace IPJB and terminal. Refer to the IPJB Installation and Terminal Replacement procedures in this bulletin.
10. If no signs of arcing, verify terminal tightness using GRAY probe. Replace terminal using the Terminal Replacement procedure in this bulletin.
IPJB Installation:
1. Feed IPJB back through H-bracket.
2. Slide the IPJB into mounting tabs and lock into place.
3. Install rear Black 68-way electrical connector into IPJB and then install screws in connector into IPJB.
4. Reconnect wiring harness to the H-bracket.
5. Reconnect ground wire to the H-bracket.
6. Reinstall left and right lower trim panel extensions.
7. Reconnect positive battery cable.
8. Reconnect negative battery cable.
Terminal Replacement:
1. If terminal replacement is required, remove CPA from Black 68-way connector. Insert tool 12094430/J04898 to remove terminal.
2. Put connector seal (if equipped) on wire.
3. Remove insulation from the end of the cut lead and the harness. Recommended strip length is 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) Caution must be used to prevent cutting the wire strands.
4. Position stripped ends in sleeve until wires hit the stop in the center of the splice.
5. Hand crimp using the approved crimping tool. Gently tug on wires to make sure they are secure before applying heat to them.
Important 
O NOT USE MATCH OR OPEN FLAME TO APPLY HEAT TO SEAL.
6. Apply heat using the Heat Gun or some other device, heating to 175°C (347°F) until glue flows around edges of sleeve.
7. Insert the terminal into the connector. Check to make sure the terminal lock tab is engaged by gently tugging on the wire.
8. Replace any terminal position assurance (TPA) devices.
COMPLEMENTS OF:
OldNucSuper Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Far Southwestern Iowa
P1999 Saturn SL2 Electrical Problem--Help!!! - camera.gif13
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1998 SC2
Look at IPJB (Insturment Panel Junction Block) located in console area by shifter,Pin #F5 (Big Red Wire) for heat damage. chances are this is your problem.
Circuit 402. Loose terminal at the instrument panel junction block. Go to the back side, drivers side of the fuse block and reove the grey 64- way connector. A 7mm bolt in the center of it. Look at all of the connections, possible hot spots, if terminal F5 looks hot, replace the terminal and the fuse block.
SOURCE: 1993 Saturn SL2 Electrical Short?
Hello there ThreeD, Johnny
I wonder if we had the same dealership? If you are still having the start up problem, I have several solutions.
To Disable the Starter Kill:
( Tools: flashlight, wire stripper, Jumper wire w/alligator clips)
What you have done:
This is a quick inexpensive way to either fix the starting problem or rule out the starter kill as the weak link in the circuit.
Let me know the results. If necessary we will take it to the next level.hanks for using FixYa
Mike
SOURCE: 1997 Saturn SC2 won't start; not even when jump
Auto or manual? If its auto try puting it in neutral and try starting. If manual than try pushing the clutch all the way to the floor. There is a switch on thr pedal that when pressed it enganges the starter.
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Hi,
I've had a sort of similar problem on my 1996 SL-2. Mine has a small security key right next to the ignition. I just leave the key in all the time. When my car won't start, I take the key out and put it back in and it usually fires right up. I don't know if that's helpful at all.
Thanks found my old extra security key they gave me to keep in my wallet when I bought the car new in 99 and even followed the "reset" directions in owners manual for alarm---but it's deader than a doornail this time---something's really blown and it's not those relays as I put new ones in...but thanks!
I have a 1999 Saturn SL2 and it has electrical problems but very cold here 18F. About a week ago I started my car and the lights came on and off then it stalled. I restarted it with no problem. Then a few days ago the speedometer and the RPM dials would go to zero as I was driving on the highway and then go back to normal. The engine did not stall at all this time. The same day I stopped at my Moms to shovel snow and when I went back out to start my car there was no power. I tried again a half hour later and there was power to the clock and dome light but the engine would not turn over.
1999 sl2 stalls when driving or sometimes at start time. very intermittent. clock and radio always lose time/settings when car fails - even won't get reception only static when car is trying to turn over.. after numerous trips to mechanic who kept saying it was fuel pump/filter- now they tell me today they got a code on it and it's the crank circuit. perhaps the other times it was in shop car wouldn't start so couldn't get code. am hoping this $23 part will fix problem this time as car has been great other than this. i used a walmart copy in my ignition when i first got car 4 years ago and it's a tiny bit too long and i don't know if it messed up the ignition or what, but i only use my saturn key since experiencing problems early on with turning the copy key.
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