Car won't start- car help please!

Z

Zero_Time

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Dec 28, 2006
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So, I'm way tired right now and won't post the full story of the car trouble. Suffice to say, I'm visiting my parents, and one of their cars won't start- tried to jump it, got nothing. No sound whatsoever after turning the key. Lock button doesn't work, nor does key fob, radio LCD lights up but no text and static (in an area with good reception) but headlights and brake/taillights do, dome light doesn't. They're going to take it to the mechanic tomorrow, but was wondering if there was anything I could try that I haven't. 1999 saturn sedan- reliable car before this.

If it's any help, I was driving it before I think it crapped out, and after starting the car I noticed the clock was 45 minutes fast. Thought that was weird; shifted into drive (automatic) and it seemed stuck in first- pressing accelerator just revved the engine. Shifted back and forth from reverse to park to drive a few times (the reverse worked fine) and then it seemed to snap out. Upon parking it, the key fob didn't seem to work.

Any suggestions helpful. Not much of a mechanic here, but if I can look for busted fuses, I'm all ears.

Thanks,

Zero
 
... one of their cars won't start- tried to jump it, got nothing. No sound whatsoever after turning the key. Lock button doesn't work, nor does key fob, radio LCD lights up but no text and static (in an area with good reception) but headlights and brake/taillights do, dome light doesn't
Click to expand...

Wow... no starting at all... not even a click of the solinoide... the power locks don't work, but the headlights and taillights work fine????

Hmmmm....

I'm guessing the ignition switch is shot.
 
Drive problems and starting problems? Seems like you got many problems. I don't know of any fuses or electrical issues that would make it seem like you have a busted tranny. Then the starter motor craps out? Could be a problem with your ECU, the only thing a simple mind like mine can offer as explanation for so many problems. See if you can hop on a Saturn forum, make some fast friends, and swap out that ECU for yours.
 
I've had a similar situation in which multiple and seemingly random problems occurred simultaneously, including the air conditioner. It turned out that the AC fan had frozen, which resulted in some blown fuses and reset switches (not the accessible ones under the dash). Took a real mechanic about five minutes to diagnose the problem, and an hour to fix.

My point, whatever the problem you probably can't fix it yourself anyway. ;)
 
Always start with easy. Check the battery, take it out and go to a Pep Boys or Auto Zone, they can put a load on it, and see if it is good or not for free. Free is good when trouble shooting. Your clock is probably 11 hrs and 15 min (or 23 hrs. and 15 min.) behind rather than 45 min. fast. If the battery is good, check your battery cable connections, and clean them. Cars still have alot of the same parts pre computer and pre fuel injection. Some parts are actually easier to replace (although there is alot less room now in the engine compartment). You do not have to set dwell angles nor gap points anymore, solid state stuff is not as intimidating as everyone claims it is. You may check out a Saturn forum and find out what blinking light codes the brain has, and maybe you can narrow down the problems. If you work carefully and with a hotline to someone more knowledgeable than you, you can still fix cars. I still do my own; brakes, tune ups, alternators, fuel pumps, oil change, transmission service. Good luck, and save some money if you can. If it is too intimidating, then take it to a good mechanic.
 
I agree with checking the battery first.

I had a '96 Chevy Lumina that the battery went bad and it affected the transmission shift patterns and a lot of other things you would not associate with the battery.

Replaced the battery and no more problems. Years later when that battery died,it was a case of started fine up until the time it wouldn't do anything. No warning whatsoever. All bad batteries don't act the same.

Hope that helps because if not the battery then I am no help at all.
 
I agree with checking the battery and fuses first. Also, make sure to check all fuses because many times a single fuse will run numerous electrical systems even though it only has one listed(called piggyback systems). After that you might have to find someone with the same car as yours and swap the ecu's...and i do mean the same car. It must be the same year and model(ie SL1 or SL2) with the same transmission or else the ecu might not me interchangeable. You can check this by comparing the serial number on the ecu's, which are usually under a bar code.

Was the check engine light on? I know you said the key fob isnt working, but can you atleast put it into the On position? If so then do that, the cel should come on for around 10 seconds then go away if its not throwing any codes, but if it is then the CEL will stay on permanantly. If this is the case then you should try and find someone with a code scanner to check it for you. Some auto parts stores will rent them out. All you do is plug it into OBD port(usually under the drivers side dash) and then follow the on screen instructions. Good luck getting it all figured out.
 
As far as the starting goes,does the car have a security light that comes on on the dash when you start it?If so,I've had GM cars that won't recognize the key when it's put in the ignition and will act just like that.If it is that,you need to put the key in the ignition,then turn it to on and leave it on for about 15minutes,if it has a security light it will be lit once you turn the key to on,once that light goes out,it normally takes most of 15 minutes,turn the key back off then try to start it.
 
cj65 said:
Always start with easy. Check the battery, take it out and go to a Pep Boys or Auto Zone, they can put a load on it, and see if it is good or not for free. Free is good when trouble shooting. Your clock is probably 11 hrs and 15 min (or 23 hrs. and 15 min.) behind rather than 45 min. fast. If the battery is good, check your battery cable connections, and clean them. Cars still have alot of the same parts pre computer and pre fuel injection. Some parts are actually easier to replace (although there is alot less room now in the engine compartment). You do not have to set dwell angles nor gap points anymore, solid state stuff is not as intimidating as everyone claims it is. You may check out a Saturn forum and find out what blinking light codes the brain has, and maybe you can narrow down the problems. If you work carefully and with a hotline to someone more knowledgeable than you, you can still fix cars. I still do my own; brakes, tune ups, alternators, fuel pumps, oil change, transmission service. Good luck, and save some money if you can. If it is too intimidating, then take it to a good mechanic.
Click to expand...

Yes this !!..

although I will add, my wife's van did this very thing.. its an '06 and I was over the edge thinking it was the computer... !! I checked the battery adn it was pulling 12 plus not quite 14 but close so I thought no way it was the battery......

well it was, sometimes it would jump sometimes not, batteries do really goofy things adn lights act weird some work some don't, I took the battery out of my truck and whala.. it worked.. Bought her a new battery and was thrilled to death...

My worse case scenario only cost me about $65..
 
Had it towed to mechanic I know. The connection between the ECU and the alarm system malfunctioned or something- it wasn't a fuse that connected them, but some technical term. No way I was going to even guess that was a problem short of taking the car apart. Thanks for your help- I learned that aside from taking a quick look at fuseboxes, if it's a modern car and it won't jump (had the AAA battery guy come and fail before hauling it off), you're goose is cooked. Heck, the car has crank windows, and it had a malfunction of that sort. Anything with power windows I just shove a fork in and say I give up.

Zero
 
Average battery life is still not much more than 5 years !! Good battery is more important these days with all the electronic stuff in a car.
 
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