Major Starting Problems, Please Help!!
lmbuckner
08-27-2007, 05:18 PM
I have a 98 SC2, automatic. I had just pulled out of my drive and realized that I was in 3rd (smack head), so I came to a complete stop and put it in Drive. When I did this the car would not go. So I put it in Park and turned it off. Tried to turn it right back on an would not start. When I turn the key the lights come on, the radio works, everything seems fine, but it will not start. It "clicks, but won't crank". Got a new started and put it on, still same thing, "clicks, won't crank". I should mention that it was really low on oil, I was actually on the way to have the oil changed when this happens. And the transmission had been giving me some problems lately. Sometimes it would not go into R, I had to give it a few minutes and the it would. PLEASE HELP, I just got this thing paid for and now it is DEAD... Thanks in advance for all the help.
L
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denisond3
08-28-2007, 01:20 PM
The first thing I thought of is that the shifter cable has come loose somwhere. At one end they are connected to the bottom of the shift lever. At the other end they are connected to a lever sticking out of the transmission (at the back where you cant see it easily). Also there is a grommet or two that the cable runs through. If any of these points have gotten disconnected or loose or broken - the transmission might think you arent in Park or Neutral - and it wont start - even though the shift lever might be in the Park position. The starter wouldnt make a click in this case, that could come from the relays that are turned on when the ignition is on. If you turn the ign. key to the start position with one hand, and wiggled the shift lever around with the other hand, it might enable the transmission 'neutral safety switch' to work the starter.
The other thing to check would be whether the engine is siezed. If you take off the passenger side front wheel you will see the bolt that holds the crankshaft damper/pulley on. You may need to pull off the splash shield on that side to see the bolt. The bolt is about 21mm on my 92 SL2, a 13/16th inch socket will also work. See if you can turn the engine 'clockwise' with that bolt. If it wont turn 360 degrees - then you know its an engine internal problem.
Good Luck...
The other thing to check would be whether the engine is siezed. If you take off the passenger side front wheel you will see the bolt that holds the crankshaft damper/pulley on. You may need to pull off the splash shield on that side to see the bolt. The bolt is about 21mm on my 92 SL2, a 13/16th inch socket will also work. See if you can turn the engine 'clockwise' with that bolt. If it wont turn 360 degrees - then you know its an engine internal problem.
Good Luck...
yaz4real
08-28-2007, 05:20 PM
The battery seems not to have enough juice to turn the starter. Get the battery load tested.
A failing alternator will make your transmission go haywire. A badly maintained automatic transmission is the worse. ATF and filter change every 30k is a must. Sounds like with no reverse, a valve body and an input shaft nut problem are likely.
With no oil in this type of car and like in any car, it will not long.
I have attached a thread for your reading pleasure and it is from a great forum you should visit.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98481&highlight=neutral+safety+switch
A failing alternator will make your transmission go haywire. A badly maintained automatic transmission is the worse. ATF and filter change every 30k is a must. Sounds like with no reverse, a valve body and an input shaft nut problem are likely.
With no oil in this type of car and like in any car, it will not long.
I have attached a thread for your reading pleasure and it is from a great forum you should visit.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=98481&highlight=neutral+safety+switch
MickeyRat
08-29-2007, 08:13 AM
It's not unusual for the trannies in these cars to act flakey if the alternator or battery is messed up. Also you might just have dirty battery terminals.
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