01 SL1 wont start

[x99sldriverx]

maybe its the battier cables my cables were shot and my starter would just clcik and shut off try replacing the battier cables saturns are a pain arnt they one thing after another chagend my tranny and battier cables 3mounths later and im still fixing mine

[Dannoman]

Ok...got a little more info here. Just went out and started the car several times....started every time. Sat in the car hit the door locks, waited a minute and it started right up. I did notice that when I hit the remote lock that a security light was flashing on the dash until I started the car. But this info may be irreleveant given my new findings. I decided to close the hood and park it outside for the night, but as soon as I closed the hood, got in the car and tried to start it....no worky. What I did discover is that the remote door lock does still work when the car won't start.....it did for me anyway. Daughter claims it didn't. So anyway, right now car wont start. I disconnected battery cable and reconnected...still no start. I disconnected again and left it for 10 minutes...reconnected and still no start. So maybe it was just coincidence that it started before after disconnecting. Not sure. I'm going out and see if I can tap on the starter. Oh...I do hear the fuel pump when I turn on the key. Another thing I noticed is that when I put the car in any gear other than park the lights come on and then go out when I attempt to start. When I put the car in park and turn the lights on while trying to start....nothing...no draw....nada.

[Cat Fuzz]

Put a test light on the small wire on the starter then try to crank. If the light illuminates but the starter still won't go, replace the starter. If it doesn't light up while trying to crank, you have some other problem upstream.

[Dannoman]

It's the starter. Had my son try starting...as soon as I tapped the starter it cranked right over. Must have been coincidence that it started when we were disconnecting/reconnecting battery terminal. I feel bad leading you guys on a wild goose chase with bad info. The worst part is listening to my wife saying she told me so...she said it was the starter from the beginning.
Going to look and see how hard it will be to get at the starter laying on the ground. Doesn't look like fun, but daughter has no money to take it to a shop....I'll probably give it a shot. Thanks you guys....really appreciate all the replies.

Danno

[RC1488]

WATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6awyslXkeI

Glad you figured it out

[Dannoman]

Thanks, RC....gotta love YouTube.

Originally Posted by RC1488

WATCH:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6awyslXkeI

Glad you figured it out

[Cat Fuzz]

Getting the front up on ramps would be ideal. The hardest part is getting at the top mounting bolt just because you just can't see it. A long extension that will allow the ratchet to turn behind the starter tends to work for me.

[ponchonutty]

No problem. Glad you figured it out. I just had a buddy that was going crazy with his kids' 2002 Alero that I put a remote starter on last year. His Ex was all over him for getting the remote starter and was sure it was the cause of the car stalling out and sometimes not starting at all. When he called he said he could remote start it but when he put the key in the ignition then pressed the brake it would stall. I told him it was the ignition switch. I just swapped out the switch for him tonight and it's all good now!!!

[mikray384]

Have a question for you, hope you can help me. I have the same starting problems you did, if it sits for awhile it will start, and I have a problem with the remote locks. You said it was your starter, when your starter was bad, and it did start did it start up like normal, because mine does, thats why Im thinking its not the starter. Please reply , it may help me... Thank you. Michael michael_parks2001 @ yahoo.com