Battery issues

[Beverly S via CarKB.com]

I have a 1993 Saturn SC2 and I am about convinced this car has a gremlin. For
the past year it goes through "phases" where it just won't start. If you are
persistent it will start eventually....The first symptom of this problem was
when I started the car I would notice that the radio was always reset back to
a.m. like the battery had been cut off. Then on cold days it took a good ten
minutes of trying to get it started. Oddly, if you opened the door the door
open "Dinger" had to be "dinging" or it wouldn't start. So if you tapped the
console it would start dinging and the car would start. Although, my children
find this greatly amusing...I DONT.

I have had the alternator checked and replaced. There's a new battery in it.
I have some suspicion that the automatic seatbelts might be a culprit because
they are acting funny, but it may just be because the power is compromised.
Now, today, there is a clicking noise coming from the console between the
seats. It's a constant clicking that starts when you turn the key or open the
door to the car. It comes right from the console where the emergency brake is
and absolutely Nobody has a clue what this is. I am convinced that this
clicking is totally draining the battery because now it wont start at all.
It's completely dead.

I did have a shop tell me that they could replace the ignition switch for
$400 but they wouldn't guarantee that was the problem. I would be so happy if
one of you could save me from having to spend a fortune to troubleshoot this
problem!!!!

Thank you.

Beverly

 

[shoppa]

[ Chasing down electrical problems based on symptoms in cabin of car ]

I realize that you love to find every little symptom of the electrical
problem, but you'd be far more effective in troubleshooting if you
cleaned the battery terminals, checked for good electrical and
mechanical integrity in the battery and alternator wiring, etc.

Tim.