2000 LS won't start

Discussion in 'Saturn L-series' started by 3valve, Mar 15, 2005.

  1. 3valve

    3valve Guest

    Hi. I haven't found the exact symptoms I'm experiencing on this site,
    so I'm posting my own question.
    My 2000 Saturn LS won't start. The battery appears to be fine. The
    lights are bright, the stereo is loud. But when I turn the key I just
    hear a single click sound in the engine compartment, on the right side
    near the windshield if you're facing the car head on. There is no
    "cranking" sound whatsoever. It doesn't sound like it's trying to start
    at all. I have the clutch in all the way (it's a manual), but maybe the
    car doesn't know this.
    Any thoughts?
     
    3valve, Mar 15, 2005
    #1
  2. 3valve

    jdoe Guest

    You may have a bad starter solenoid which would explain the click.
    Larry
     
    jdoe, Mar 16, 2005
    #2
  3. 3valve

    jdl Guest

    Have you tried getting a jump from another vehicle, you know using jumper
    cables? Will it start with a jump? If you leave the dome-lite on and turn
    the key to start, is there any reaction from the dome-lite, stays the
    same, goes out?
     
    jdl, Mar 16, 2005
    #3
  4. 3valve

    blah blah Guest

    There is a smaller gage wire that comes off your + battery post and goes
    to your starter. If it isnt making a good contact everything but your
    starter will work.
     
    blah blah, Mar 16, 2005
    #4
  5. 3valve

    3valve Guest

    Thanks for all the good ideas. In the mean time I called a local
    mechanic. He said the battery had gotten bad enough that it could not
    turn over the starter even though it could pass on enough electricity
    to operate the lights, radio, etc. I tested 12 volts with my volt
    meter. The guy I talked to said I needed a load reader in order to
    test the battery correctly, that my volt meter wasn't good enough.
    Because the battery was bad (couldn't generate enough load), I couldn't
    even jump it (as the battery needs to be good to jump a car because the
    jumper juice goes through the old battery?). I followed his advise and
    got a new battery and the car started right up.
     
    3valve, Mar 16, 2005
    #5
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