My car will not turn over
Asked by furbyreyes Jun 26, 2013 at 04:33 PM about the 2001 Saturn S-Series 3 Dr SC1 Coupe
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
So about 2 month ago, my car would not start. I got a new battery because someone
told me that it might be a weak battery. That didn't help, so I had my uncle look at the
starter. He said he "wiggled around" this wire that connects to the starter and tightened
it and then it worked fine.. until now. the same problem is happening. the electrical
works, but the car won't even attempt to kick over. It just goes 'click" and nothing. My
uncle installed a bypass into my car so I have a direct switch, This morning it did not
start and I tried to click the bypass on, but that didn't work. I tried getting a jump, but
that did not work either. I went inside and panicked how I would get to work, and my
internship that I just called in sick for. Went back outside to see if it would work, and it
did. So Im not sure what caused it to go back on or what. If anyone can give me some
ideas that would be great.
11 Answers
furbyreyes answered 10 years ago
correction* he tightened the terminals on the sgtarter and then checked it with the screw driver and it started over. It starts now, but I don't want this to happen again.
My first thought is to try Loctite on the terminals to hold them tight, and my second thought is to replace the starter.
This may be a little late, but i agree with Joshua. I also have an older model Saturn. It sounds like the starter is about done. If it happens once or twice more you may need to buy a new one. Mine did the same thing, after i bypassed mine I easily got another 6 months out of, then the next time it did it, it took a lot more work to get it going, and i could no longer simply jump it. Then the following time (and last) that was it. So if its still hanging in there you may want to start setting $ aside for whats coming. In a pinch you can get a used one from pick n pull to buy you time, but if you're going to replace it might as well just to it once and be done. Good luck!
helpforyoursaturn answered 9 years ago
If there are no security lights flashing and you have ruled out battery and starter on an automatic transmission this may help. The neutral safety switch must be in synch with the transmission. Follow the cable from the gear shift through the firewall into the transmission and then to the neutral safety switch. The switch has two 13 mm bolts. Loosen them and rotate the switch a quarter inch each direction and try to start. This will synchronize the tran and switch. It worked for me
Stacey_1632 answered 7 years ago
Turn key to on one position foot on brake it out of park put it back in park. Crank it. Works everytime for me
On my SL1 the problem was with the electrical neutral safety switch attached to the shifter. I'm guessing the contacts get dirty and it stops working properly. I tried Stacey-1632's solution, and at first it didn't fix it. But I kept moving the shifter across all the gears, and finally, returned the lever to Park, and it started right up. The solution is to "exercise" the switch by moving the shifter back and forth a few times. This diagnosis and "fix" would explain why people have the problem repeatedly.
Mine 1999 is doing it now.If the car sits for about an hour it starts gain fine. Sometimes shifting from park to other gears work. When that doesn't, engaging the emergency break worked so I am guessing it's the neutral safety switch (battery also new)
theres a fusable link wire that runs from your starter to your altinator and that could be the issue
or try just starting the car in neutral
Ladyindistressnowple... answered 4 years ago
My 1997 saturn sl1 does not start. For three days straight it started now, it turns over but there is no crank. Nothing no noise just silence. The mechanic touched a wire to the starter and it started right up now I can't get it to start at all. Please help
