Hello all, first time poster. I'm having a little problem, and I am hoping that the experts here can help me.


I have a 2001 Saturn SL1, and it has been problem free in the 3 years I've owned it. Earlier this winter I changed the battery in the car, and since then (a few months) I have had an internmittant problem a few times.


Today (the second time this has happened) I got to work and turned the car off, and upon opening the door I noticed the dome light didn't come on. I put the key back in the ingition and tried to turn it over, and... nothing. Turning the key over it is like there is no battery in the car at all. However, the clock on the radio is still on (and showing the current time - it does not dim or reset). So there is still power to the car, but it's like the key has no effect. The keyless entry does not work either.


The first time it happened I was trying to leave to go somewhere. After turning the key over several times, occasionally I would get the dash lights to come on, along with the radio/blower etc... eventually after about 5-10 minutes of fiddling, it turned over and has run problem free for the last few weeks.


Again the problem came back today, and if it doesn't start by this afternoon, looks like I'm calling a tow truck after work


Any thought/ideas/previous experience with a similar problem?


Thanks in advance for you help.
Edited by: sw2cam

 

probably the ignition cylinder module. You have to bring it somewhere to have it replaced and reprogrammed.

-JOE

 

sounds silly, but are the terminal connections tight and not corroded? I know I had a car that had a similar problem and it turned out that the positive terminal was so corroded that when I removed it from the battery, the terminal split and disintegrated. Replaced the terminal and everything was fine. Just a suggestion. You probably would have noticed it when you changed the battery though. Anyways, just my thought. Hopefully it's not something too serious!

 

I agree with BD96Sl1. Check to make sure the terminals are tight and clean. A good cleaning with water and baking soda wouldnt hurt. You can use a brillo pad on the battery if it has corrosion on the posts.

 

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i was gonna say the same thing to check the terminals. Its often the easiest solution is the correct one
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Especially since its one of the most common things on these cars. The AC Delco batteries used back when the third generation Saturns were built and their factory replacements were known to leak through the positive terminal. This would cause corrosion at the terminal and inside the cable. So sometimes cleaning the terminal may not always solve the problem.