Saturn Starting Problem
 

I have a Saturn 1998 SL2 which start giving me an intermittent starting problem this weekend. Here is how it is doing:
After running for a while when engine and surrounding area gets hot, shutting of the engine the starter will not turn or will not engage until engine cool down at least half of the temperature as it was before. With someone inside the car trying to start the engine, with the hood open I can hear the starter solenoid kicking on but not engaging in the flywheel. If I try several times, may be 8 or 12 times it will finally work and engine will start.
On the other hand, if I leave the engine to completely cool down it will start at the first time as suppose be. At the beginning I was wondering about the starter or solenoid be the problem but when I saw the difference between engine hot and cold I ask myself; Why temperature is causing the starter to work different? Before go ahead to change anything else I decided to bring this situation to people into this network and hear their experience about this issue. In advance I thank everyone for any feedback.
Thanks.

Nyko 46

I don't think the engine temp really has anything to do with it. It sounds like bad battery/bad solenoid contacts/bad connection. If it was me I would put a volt meter on the battery and then try starting and see what the voltage does. (you might need help to do this). If the voltage drops way down then bad battery. If not then bad solenoid or bad connection somewhere. That's just my .02

I know you're problem: you bought a saturn! ;)

Just so we're clear, the problem is definitely with the starter. As with all electrical problems, clean the grounds and/or connections. I'm not sure what temperature has to do with it, but I wouldn't discount it.

If the starter is accessible, while someone is trying that hot start, tap it with a hammer/ pry bar etc.. If it starts, it's the starter.. Typical GM starter issue. Also, you can typically jump the solenoid and see if that works as well.. I used a screwdriver to start my last old GM product many a time to jump across the 2 terminals on the solenoid when it did that..

I have a 94 Saturn and I refer to this site when I have a problem with it. The guy explains thing very well. Just look through until you find a video about your problem.
http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124184&highlight=richpin

agree with Phil
 

I bought a 98 SC2 for my daughter a year ago. It has some quirks, but a pretty easy car to troubleshoot. Checkout youtube for all the rich pins videos. He has about 50 or 60 there. The Saturnfans forum is a good one as well.

This may not be your problem, but possible. Do you hear the "door chime" with the key in the ignition and the door open? If not, there is a 10A fuse that shares a number of interior functions along with the ignition disable circuit for the alarm. If this fuse goes, then no-start. The fuse is on the passenger side of the console. It happened to us and now my 17 year old daughter can extract, examine, and replace a fuse if needed.

Good luck. The Saturns are fairly simple cars, with their own unique issues. Wiring is one of them.

This is a link to a directory of the RichPin videos. Hope it helps.

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=124184&highlight=idler+pulley

A bazooka? ;)

Thanks everyone for your help.
I will definitely work on each suggestion and see what a happen and then add the result to this forum. I had read every suggestion and all of then make sense. I really appreciated everyone help.
Thanks again.
Nyko46

A bazooka?
 

How did you know? Thats in the trunk. I added a Bazooka self powered sub for her... 8-)

It has actually been a fun car for her to drive, has a good safety rating, was cheap, and it gets over 30mpg. Her car is a bright red 2 two door so she thinks she is driving a sports car. I'll tell her the truth in a couple of years.