Hi Guys,

I am new to the forum but have been reading through the forums for months.

I know this problem has been brought up before but I am asking for anyone who can send me in the right direction to fix my problem.

My car will randomly not turn over with the key. The lights on the dash all work as well as the stereo. But the car will not click and turn over.

I can usually get the car to turn over by moving the steering wheel back and forth many many times. And then boom fires right up. This sometimes takes any where from 10 minutes to an hour. It happens after long drives and short drives so I don't believe temperature has anything to do with the problem.

I have taken the car into a mechanic and they could not get the car to replicate the problem for them. They replaced the battery terminals and the car started without any issues for about 2 months. Now its again not turning over.

Has anyone had this problem and found out what the issue is?

My gut says it has something to do with the ignition solenoid?

Thanks in Advance!

Ryan

 

What year, and model? Standard or automatic shift? How many miles on the odometer?

 

Sorry.

It is a 2001 Saturn SL1, Automatic with 235,000km.

 

I'm just taking a stab in the dark, so to speak, but I would suspect a worn out ignition switch.

 

I would agree with OceanArcher on that one. could also be a short in the wiring on the steering column.

 

Thanks for the replies!

So it sounds like I need to check out the wiring in the steering column. This doesn't surprise me with how much this car seems to vibrate throughout the dash that maybe the wiring is loose?

How hard is it to open this area up and take a look? I really don't want to be messing around with the air bag.

Thanks in advance!

 

The Chilton Repair Manual for your car has a very detailed procedure for working on the steering column (see section 12). I assume the Mitchell Manual does too. These manuals are available at AutoZone, PepBoys, O'Rileys, etc for about $25 bucks. They are invaluable if you plan on doing any work ...

 

If the car vibrates so bad maybe you should think about replacing the bad engine mounts.

 

Thanks I will pick up a manual.

The engine mounts were replaced 6 mounths ago as well as the exhaust. Every saturn I have ever driven has had weird vibrations throughout.

 

Strange -- I've had several Saturns over the last 18 years (still have three of 'em), and only one had any "strange vibrations". Traced that down to a warped rotor. As far as the problems with motor mounts, I hope you got all of them changed, and not just the one on top on the passenger's side .......