SL2, 99 has power but won't start or turn over

[~ji..m]

1999, SL2, 150k miles, never missed an oil change or PM.

3 times after running fine, car has been turned off, gone into Post
Office or some other errand and came out and the car would not start or
turn over. Power to everything.

Saturn looked at it last week and cleaned the battery terminals, cable.
Checked the output, etc.

Tonight the same thing happened.

I can't keep having it towed to Saturn or waiting for it to be able to
restart.

Any suggestions or ideas on what I can try or have Saturn look at?

 

[Bob Shuman]

It really has to be acting up in order to troubleshoot this with any
success.

Possible causes of your symptoms: Oxidized battery terminals (these have now
been eliminated by the dealer), dirty starter electrical connections
(basically the other ends of the battery cables they cleaned), dirty engine
ground connections, defective starter relay, defective starter solenoid,
defective starter, defective ignition switch, bad battery or bad wiring
anywhere in between. Get a wiring schematic and a voltmeter and with the
help of an assistant, and being very careful since the vehicle can start at
any time, troubleshoot and see where you lose the voltage. My guess would
be the starter solenoid if all the electrical connections are clean,
followed next by the starter relay.

Good luck

Bob

 

[Gary]

If it is an automatic make sure it is park. My sister had a flakey switch
and it would not start sometimes. She thought it was in park but the switch
did not think so. It may also start in Neutral, but keep your foot on the
brake pedal!