Just wondering if anyone knows about this. My 96 Saturn SL2 keeps having battery/charging issues. I replaced the alternator and the battery with a very good one and once again the battery is dead. The interior lights were dimming and getting bright alot - then last night when I put my foot on the break the battery light would flash really fast. Also when I had the cruise control on and I would put the brights on the cruise would turn off. Today it barely turns over so I have to charge up the battery to even start it. I tested the alternator and battery and they're fine so it seems to be something else.

 

Either its the battery cables,connections on both ends, or the fusible link is opened w/o visible indication of the wiring underneath burning out. Carefully check that the battery cables are not corroded especially underneath the cable clamps for corrosion internally as it may not be visible. The wire strands may be destroyed at the positive cable clamp from a faulty side terminal AC-Delco battery that's been known to crack at the post and leak battery acid onto the cable destroying the wire strands beneath the cable insulation. Check for looseness at the starter solenoid terminal and ground.


The fusible link goes between the largestarter solenoid terminal, that also holds the large RED battery cable, and the alternator. This link may be blown and not appear to be from the outside. Only checking with a meter for 12v at the terminal of the alternator will indicate if 12 v is there or not. If not there at the alternator terminal then the fusible link is blown and a replacement wire of the same length and gauge with crimp-on ring terminals needs to be made up. Saturn may have this but its easier to make one.