1997 Saturn SC Won't Start. Getting Frustrated and Worried
 

Hello, my friends.

First of all, it is a pleasure to become a member of these forums being a proud Saturn owner, but recently I have come across a frustrating and concerning issue. Now I will be putting this into quite a bit of detail so please bear with me.

I have a 1997 Saturn SC2, 1.9L DOHC, 5-speed manual.

To clarify some simple issues and recent fixes:
It has new battery (December 2012)
New fuel filter
New fuel pump
New starter (Summer 2013)
New O2 sensor
New ECTS with brass tip
Cleanable Air Filter (Cleaned)

So to begin explaining my current problems. My car will not start with the key. All I get is it attempting to turn over but no dice, unless it is some hours after getting it started. I believed it to be a fuel problem at first because it started right up after spraying some starting fluid into the throttle body, but later this proved ineffective. I have done many repairs to the fuel line listed above, as well as some sensor repairs, and next I plan on changing the CPS (Crank Positioning Sensor).

It will practically REFUSE to start by key, even testing the spark plugs there is no spark coming from them, BUT if I push start it, it will start up practically immediately. I read somewhere NGK is the magic plug for Saturn, but considering it starts immediately after push start I have my doubts.

Now this is where things become concerning for me. While I try to start it it will somtimes make a ringing bang sound, or more often, the engine will stop cranking suddenly and the lights will dim. It's beginning to make me paranoid because I worry that it is doing damage to the pistons or the rods. I tried starting it up again minutes ago and it happened everytime I turned the key, estimated two seconds each time.

If anybody has any information on this problem I would greatly appreciate your help.

You really need to run the codes on it first before shotgunning parts at it. That can add up quickly. It sounds more to me like you've got a broken ground connection somewhere. I'd check the battery ground cable for corrosion first and then trace all of the body and engine ground connections.

I'll check those out. And I'm actually okay with getting all these new parts anyway since my Saturn is at the 170,000 mark. After doing this much work, it runs like a dream when I can get it started.

Keep in mind that I'm not a mechanic, Johnny. I'm just an old shade tree that works on my own vehicles. Have been for over 40 years.

Stop in the new member area and give yourself an introduction. When you get done with that take a little time to open the USER CP top left of the page and add your first name, location and car info to your "signature".

Had a similar issue before on mine and it ended up being the cam position sensor had gone out. Piece of cake to swap out too. I followed this video: ( )

Think you mean crankshaft not camshaft . S cars do not have camshaft position sensors

The lack of spark (assuming at all cylinders would lead me to believe the crank position sensor may indeed be suspect. Put an ohmmeter across it and let us know the reading

could be crank sensor could be ignition control module

Might even be the starter that would explain the noises when tring to start it and I have starters that turned to slow to start the car or took to much power so it could not power the electronics.