2008 Saturn Aura XE - Car won't start.

Asked by Julie Jan 05, 2016 at 12:03 PM about the 2008 Saturn Aura XE

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

We replaced the starter and it works for about 4 drives.  Now it won't turn over.  Just a click.   Battery was tested and was told it was not the battery.  What else could it be.

37 Answers

710

I had the same issue! Everything's in working condition and I replaced the starter and ignition and nothing. I even replaced the starter relay number 31 in the fuse box. I did notice when I pulled out the relay that one of the prongs came out kind of easy. I looked at the connection point inside and it looked like if might note be making good contact with the prong so I bent the prong a bit and towards the metal contact point inside the slot and BAMMMM BABY! That was it! Starts every time now! The issue was sporadic also, sometimes it would start and other times the starter wouldn't even turn the motor over at all. Everything worked too but the starter. Well, I hope this helps someone... Reply to this if it does please. Thanks!

63 people found this helpful.
210

I'm currently having the same issue on a 2008 Saturn Aura XE. Had starter replaced but still has staring problem after driving a few times. Took it to the dealer they replaced computer but it still did not fix it. I have taken it back 3 times. Did you ever find out what the problem was?

21 people found this helpful.
230

Same issue here. Replace starter the weeks ago and it worked fine. Then went to start it and I was only getting a CLICK. Put another new starter in and it started right up. Drive to the store and click it wouldn't start. I hit the steering wheel and the key then tried again and it worked. That truck worked for about 3 days. Now I don't even get a click but my battery has a 12.55 charge. Could it be the ignition switch maybe? Oh fuses are good. My passenger Windows won't roll up from drivers side door panel. My seat belt light keeps coming on while driving even though it's on and nothing obstructing the latch. Could it be a computer issue maybe? Windows went first seat belt issue came after replacing the first starter 3 weeks ago. Help

23 people found this helpful.
750

Im having the same issue with a 2008 Saturn AUra. Have replaced the battery...and checked all the fuses...Switched to old spare key to make sure it wasnt something to do with rfid in key. It seems to me that if the car heats up after running 15-20 mins..then thats when you dont want to shut it off. It will not start until the car has sat for a while. I have experimented with it, and it seems to me the car is getting unusually hot under the hood. Fans are all ok, fluid in radiator is fine....heat works really well so im thinking there arent any air pockets in the radiator....I purchased a starter thinking that it may have a short that only apppears once the engine compartment is warmed up. For now...temp gauge is reading little below half way so its not overheating the engine, and ill just leave it running while i stop somewhere...and use the spare key to lock the doors...Someone know of anything else i can check before i tackle this starter?

30 people found this helpful.
130

Ive noticed that the underhood fuse/relay box loses resistance to the starter relay. I would look into that.

13 people found this helpful.
750

Thanks Anthony. That is the next step. Just replaced the starter yesterday evening late. Took the car on a test run today..fired up sweet this morning...shut it off and restarted bunch of times. Was paranoid enough that i just left the vehicle running while in town. Stayed running for about 3 hours. Good enough a test here in Louisiana...was around 90 today. Get home, shut it down, will not start. Im eating the 190.00 receipt for supper tonite. I pulled the battery cover, and pulled the fuse cover, and im thinking it may be the fuse box...read somewhere that I could remove it and the underside might show damage that i can see. Ill just have to see what happens. Im at a dead end if i dont see anything obvious. Do you happen to know if this car has a secondary cooling fan on the radiator that if its not working would prevent the car from starting until it cools? Just a thought, Ive run across alot of issues with cooling fans not running or dragging and a/c's shut down, motors start hesitating and rough idle.. just wondering if I should be hearing a louder fan noise from the fans when the a/c is on. Right now I'm all out and all ears for suggestions.

9 people found this helpful.
750

ok, cooling fans all checked out. fans both run and ac fan kicks on and is high speed. looking for videos and pictures of how to pull this fuse box out without creating more issues.

4 people found this helpful.
210

I had the same issue! Everything's in working condition and I replaced the starter and ignition and nothing. I even replaced the starter relay number 31 in the fuse box. I did notice when I pulled out the relay that one of the prongs came out kind of easy. I looked at the connection point inside and it looked like if might note be making good contact with the prong so I bent the prong a bit and towards the metal contact point inside the slot and BAMMMM BABY! That was it! Starts every time now! The issue was sporadic also, sometimes it would start and other times the starter wouldn't even turn the motor over at all. Everything worked too but the starter. Well, I hope this helps someone... Reply to this if it does please. Thanks!

19 people found this helpful.
210

have you replaced the relay's on the car it self that is the next step for me i am tired of putting money into this car

2 people found this helpful.
180

HAVE THE SAME PROBLEM HEAR WITH A 2008 AURA XE, WONT CRANK AFTER CAR WARMS UP, ONLY WILL START WHEN COOL AT NITE. ITS GONNA BE THE PNP SWITCH ON THE TRANS. CHECK THE ORANGE AND BLK STRIPE WIRE FOR GROUND WHEN IN PARK AND NEUTRAL. BEST PLACE TO TEST IS AT RIGHT REAR HEAD IN THE LOOM. JUST UNDER THE HEATER HOSES. WHEN CAR DOESN'T CRANK YOU WILL MORE THAN LIKELY FIND THAT THIS WIRE IS NOT GROUNDING. HOPE THAT HELPS YA 'LL..

18 people found this helpful.
140

HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A CUSTOMERS SATURN AURA XE.AFTER DRIVING IT WOULD NOT START UNTILL OUT DOOR TEMP WAS COOL.THIS SOUNDS CRAZY,BUT HEADLAMP RELAY WAS SHORTING OUT.AFTER DAYS OF CHECKING ,WE BEAT ON FUSE BOX WHILE KEY WAS IN START POSITION AND ENGINE STARTED CRANKING.STARTED TO MOVE RELAYS AND FOUND THAT MOVING HEADLAMP RELAY AROUND WOULD MAKE ENGINE CRANK.REPLACED UNDER HOOD FUSEBOX.PROBLEM SOLVED.HOPES THIS HELPS---SUPER TECH CAR CLINIC,LUBBOCK TX.

14 people found this helpful.
750

Thanks for all the replies...I'm still chasing my tail. Yes, Lupe i did try switching working relays with each other. The one i thought was in question was the start relay, however, now after SuperTech's words of wisdom maybe i should start swapping those also? I'll try it for sure, can't hurt. Almac1958 please ellaborate on where i should be looking for the ground wire? (BEST PLACE TO TEST IS AT RIGHT REAR HEAD IN THE LOOM. JUST UNDER THE HEATER HOSES.) Im sorry but that part lost me, but again I'm willing to explore any fixes that others have encountered. Thanks again,

4 people found this helpful.
750

ok, new update. i read (or misunderstood ) somewhere that the crank sensor was right above the starter, so i pulled the starter back off. It wasn't there like they said and further reading shows me its on the back of the engine closest to the firewall. When i was putting the starter back on i noticed the small plug in wire that goes to the starter (im thinking the one that comes from the relay) had heat shield broken around it exposing the wire that was inside. It was really close to the catalytic converter (which is super hot at times) so i chose to rewrap it with a piece of heat shield i got off my old parts car. First chance i get ill test to see if this made a difference.

4 people found this helpful.
750

from last post "When i was putting the starter back on i noticed the small plug in wire that goes to the starter (im thinking the one that comes from the relay) had heat shield broken around it exposing the wire that was inside. It was really close to the catalytic converter (which is super hot at times) so i chose to rewrap it with a piece of heat shield i got off my old parts car. First chance i get ill test to see if this made a difference." Made no difference.

5 people found this helpful.
60

Having the same issue on my 08 aura v6 except only when car is cold. Eventually itll start right up after clicking for sometimes a short amount of time, sometimes a long time. Started doing it last spring, but only in the morning when cold, by the time i had the money to get it fixed (i assumed it was the starter) it was warm out and i didn't have the problem all summer. Now that its getting cold again at night, I'm having the issue again. I tried replacing relay 31, ive tried hitting the starter, i know the battery and alternator are working great and connections with those are secure, the engine belt turns by hand. Everyone says its the starter, but i really don't think that's it. Anyone have any luck with anything else? Oh, also, sometimes my guages dont work for a while after it starts, along with all my info (oil life, tire pressure, etc) then will start working after driving for a bit, sometimes the check engine light comes on for awhile, but the tester says its good, and light never stays on longer than a trip or 2. I'm only having thisproblem in morning, once i get the car going in the am, it starts fine all day until the next morning

6 people found this helpful.
100

I have read all the comments with the Aura not running and I think you all can replace the engine control module in front of the battery might solve the problem.

10 people found this helpful.
20

Tabnvic will definitely try that. its probably the only thing i havent tried

2 people found this helpful.
30

Have someone Hold down the fan cooling sensor and crank it up it will start big fuse number 43

2 people found this helpful.
10

My car does the same way did u ever got it fix I need help with it

1 people found this helpful.
750

ok im back. finally just took the car to Chevyland of Shreveport, LA. Told the manager all i had tried, all the symptoms that i was aware of and got a call 3 days later. That under the hood fuse box. Big one on the drivers side? Yep. Bottom of the box was old and connections would expand and contract and lose connection. they replaced the box...took a couple days to back order. $900. Car runs like a champ. I had read somewhere that could be the problem but attempted to start to remove it, and backed out. Glad i did. He mentioned that it all kinda fell apart when they removed it. Thanks to all for your responses. Sure do wish you luck with yours. going to see if i can hit the 300,000 mile mark with this car. Diagnosis was factored into the price once i used them for replacing it. think it was $75.

13 people found this helpful.
750

Hey Kile In response to your post.... (Having the same issue on my 08 aura v6 except only when car is cold. Eventually itll start right up after clicking for sometimes a short amount of time, sometimes a long time. Started doing it last spring, but only in the morning when cold, by the time i had the money to get it fixed (i assumed it was the starter) it was warm out and i didn't have the problem all summer.) I'm having the same problem with a 2007 Ford Fusion. Just talked to a local mechanic that i know and he told me to check and or replace the wire from the solenoid to the starter itself. sometimes there are fusable links that may be partially burnt into. sometimes its just a resistance buildup in the wiring itself, or could just be loose/corroded. Let me know if you figured out anything. Im tearing into mine soon. It's always started.....knock on wood....but sometimes it might take 15 tries.

6 people found this helpful.
20

I have something similar, when wiring problem first started I would be driving the vehicle and all of a sudden the door locks with start locking and unlocking on their own as I'm driving then one day I park the car and when I went to restart it nothing I raise the hood and I was checking the battery cable I moved the wiring harness and the locks automatically popped up I moved it again and they pop down I went back to the vehicle and tried to start it and it started up now whenever it doesn't start I pop the hood and just grab the harness and move it and starts up now my trunk lock will not pop unless I turn the vehicle off. Any ideas?

2 people found this helpful.
130

Did you find problem for this? I just bought a 07 Aura that has this problem. Bought brand new battery and it would drain in few days. "Parasitic drain" After extensive troubleshooting today I found the following drain when key is off and all doors closed: .72 amps - radio (pulled radio fuse (right center console) for this) .28 amps - Pulled fuse 16 in trunk (garage door opener, digital radio receiver, & remote control door lock) .20 amps - OnStar (pulled OnStar fuse (right center console) for this) .13 - ignition .23 - cluster/theft .13 airbag battery So from 1.7 amps to .49, so I hope my battery issues are solved now... Can live with all these pulled, but want to troubleshoot the radio issue further, my wife does want her radio back... Or put a switch in...

3 people found this helpful.
20

I would call and ask a Chevy dealer to diagnose it. Cost for diagnosis will save a lot of grief and time/effort and will most likely save in the long run. Jmo

2 people found this helpful.
10

I was leaving my driveway, and the car just stalled. So brought it to the garage and I had the accelerator pedal sensor replaced thought that would solve the issue. Drove it home and it hasn't started since. Any ideas, folks? Feels like an electrical fail somewhere. I'll try to boost the battery again just to check on it, but if it isn't, ??? Any thoughts? Ideas?

1 people found this helpful.
30

Where are all the answers to all the questions about tha 2007, 2008 SaturnAuraXE not turning over after it warms up,?

2 people found this helpful.
30

Sorry I cant help but I'm having the same problem and just now started looking into it. What I noticed my car has is a leak in the overflow tank which I will be changing later today. I hope the leak it causing something to heat up and that's what keeps my car from turning on after it get hot. Fingers cross that it's only a quick $40 fix and nothing to expensive.

3 people found this helpful.
20

I have been having this problem with 2008 saturn aura xe for past 2 years. I've it since 2010 and no problems. Now it won't turn over when it gets hot. It used to take a couple of hours to cool and then out would start again. Now it's talking overnight before it starts again. I've replaced starter , alternator, battery, battery cables, but I cent hemp but think it's a sensor or something that is getting hot and it kills the motor once you turn it off. In the beginning widen it started alk the lights on the dashboard were going bonkers. Now they dont. The a/c went out. The lights all turn on, the radio also. It's seems like a sensor, wire, ignition switch sensor, something is getting hot and keeps the car from addressing til it cools down.. anybody had this problem and got it fixed?

2 people found this helpful.

We had the same problem. However we had a new starter and battery so could rule that out. The weirdest thing is between putting it on a tow truck and driving it to the mechanic shop it would somehow start again. After reading this thread, our mechanic looked at the fuse box and wiring harness in the engine bay amongst other things. He narrowed it down to the BCM (body control module) which had to be fixed at the dealer. We called around - the price varied by hundreds of dollars so be sure to do some homework first. The place that came recommended turned out to also be the cheapest at $429 installed, labor and programming included. I’m hoping our son gets many more years out of this vehicle now!

20

Ok so I'm a scrapper I've putmy 09 Vue xe awd thru hell-o now that's out of the way I know the answer to all your guys's problems is the FSCm in the back the part where it plugs in at least I have broken mind and cracked off the plastic and stuff and my car won't start because there's dirt inside of that plug either order a new one or clean it out I'll let you guys know if it works I've smashed mine gotten soaked inside it's electrical wiring not starter yours truly the lost scrapper who misses his Uncle Butch very much

2 people found this helpful.
20

Chevy dealer fixed the warm start problem by replacing the entire engine compartment fuse box. 1 year later, car won’t start, engine turns over fine but won’t start , Low Engine Power warning, again replaced fuse box entirely to fix it.

2 people found this helpful.
40

Replacing fuse box is going help if car drives fine but once turned off and car hot takes forever to start back up don’t wasent your money it the fuse box

4 people found this helpful.

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