1997 SC2 Completely Dead, No Power, Not Dead Battery

I am (was) driving a 1997 SaturnWhen I went out t start my car today
everything was normal until i tried to start the car. I used the remote to
unlock the car as normal, and when I put the key in the ignition and turned
it to the first position, I got the normal chime. But as soon as I trired to
actually start the car, everything went dead, the chime, interior lights, and
even the stereo, completely dark. I tired taking the key out and trying again
to no avail. I even tried taking the transmission out of park and into
neutral, still no luck. I tired a combination of things and nothing seemed to
bring the car back from the dead. There was no sign of clicking from the
starter, and nothing as far as the engine even trying to turn over, there was
absolutely no electrical power. After a few minutes, I noticed there was a
clicking noise coming from what seemed to be the rear passenger side of the
car, but when I further investigated it, I couldnt seem to find exactly where
it was coming from. I live in the mountains, about 2 hours from the closest
repair facility of any kind, any quick fixes to get the car going again, and
to a shop would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance, Jeremy.

 

Check your battery cables. Should be clean and tight. Clean them with a
wire brush. Check your battery voltage using a voltmeter. Should be 13.8V
or so without load. Then jump start since it sounds like you have either a
dead battery, or a bad aternator, or possibly both.

Good luck.

Bob

 

Are there any other possibilities, as it seems as if the battery is fine, as
the power was ok as I turned the key to the first position, but when I tried
to start it is when everything blacked out. Thanks for your help, all
suggestions are appreciated!

-Jeremy

 

Just because your dome light lit and the ignition went on does not mean "the
battery is fine". The starter draws hundreds of instantaneous amps. The
dome light is just a miniscule fraction of that. Again, check the battery
with a voltmeter both at rest and while attempting to start. Post your
results here. Also, remove and clean the battery cables with a wire brush
and re-tighten them.

If you no longer have a dome light, lights do not work, etc, then I'd bet it
is the cable connections or possibly a completely open cell or internal
connection to the battery post. This is the first and easiest place to
start.

Bob

 

Fuses?

hth,

tom @ www.CarFleaMarket.com

 

Most likely battery or alternator. If you have a stick you can just
push it to start it otherwise you'll need a jump.

 

Last I knew you can push a car all day with a dead battery and
alternator system and it won't start.

 

Last I knew you can push a car all day with alternator system and a
dead battery and it won't start.

 

As for push starting, IMHO, I would not recommeding it with today's
cars. A serious backfire could damage the exhaust system or it's
sensors.

So, since the OP has time, I would elminate why the car is dead first.

later,

tom @ www.CarFleaMarket.com

 

As long as the alt is good you can....Did it for 2 weeks on my 94 until I
got around to getting a battery. Always made sure I parked on a hill though
just because I didn't feel like pushing a car in a tie, none the less
getting harassed by coworkers as I run by the office window with my car

Just make sure you'll be rolling in the right direction or you could do some
damage....(eg. rolling forward, pop clutch in 1st gear, rolling backward pop
clutch in reverse.)

Living that far out of town though, I would invest in a battery charger.
Even doing something silly and leave the map/interior lights on overnight
will leave you stranded with no other vehicle or people to help ya out....

Just a thought...

Scott

 

The engine has no way of knowing if it's being spun by a starter or via the
clutch. BUT, they absolutely will NOT start IF the battery is stone dead.
The alternator will not excite unless there is some voltage there to do it.

 

If the computer doesn't have some juice, it won't start even if you push
start it.