Saturn won't start

SOURCE: 1996 Saturn SL, 4 cylinder,

I also had the same problem with my 1996 Saturn SL1, and it also was the starter. I thought it was an electrical problem until, just on a whim I pulled the starter. One of the brushes was almost gone and the commutator looked like hell. I cleaned up the commutator and brushes, and it spun like a top for about a month, until the worn out brush finally died. I also ordered a new starter the same day of the cleaning. Just a word of advice if you will be buying a new starter, go on Ebay Motors and find the store dbelectrical. They sell brand new starters for $49.95 with no core charge plus $12 UPS shipping. So $61.95 vs $150+ at your local parts store....Myself and my friend from work have both bought and daily use starters from them with no problems or complaints to report.

SOURCE: Saturn SC2 Hot Start Problem

My 1997 SC1 would start fully charged after about 5 minutes of cooling off (same as my Busa). If the vehicle draws lots of bettery energy when the ignition switch is turned (the headlights dim as if the battery was week) and all you her is a "tlock" then more than likely the starter solenoid is sticking when the engine gets hot. Age, as well as wear and tear in the vehicle, would cause for the stater, and the starter solenoid, to weaken. When the engine is cool it will start as if the starter was new, but after driving the car for about 10 minutes the problem starts. The engine running hotter than normal (ie.cooling system problems, diferent muffler system, low oil level), no necesary due to overheating, will add to the problem. My solution was a new stater ($115) and a starter heat wrap ($20), and I never had that problem again :-)

Jta91

• 99 Answers
• Posted on Jan 26, 2010

SOURCE: '98 Saturn SL1 won't start. Alarm system behaving

I had this same exact problem in a family member's Saturn. If you are opening the door with the key and not using the key FOB to unlock the doors, then the security system will not allow you to start the car. You will notice when this happens that the dome light will blink and you'll hear the relay in the BCM clicking.

In order to stop the security system from doing this: Make sure the car is locked with the key fob by hitting the lock button. Then hit the unlock button on the key fob once and then once again (I do it out of habit). Then open the driver side door, put the key in and it should start no problem.

SOURCE: My 2005 Saturn ION (4 cylinders) won't start. With

If the starter cranks but the engine won't start, there could be wide range of problems. Here are some of the most common:
- Problems with fuel delivery system (e.g bad fuel pump, fuel pump relay, clogged fuel screen, etc.)
- Problem with engine electronics (e.g crank sensor, cam sensor, air flow sensor, power relay, engine computer, etc.)
- Ignition system problems, especially on older vehicles with the distributor (e.g bad ignition coil, commutator, rotor, distributor cap, etc.)
- Defective ignition switch
- Problems with vehicle security system
- Internal engine problems (e.g broken timing belt or gear, low compression, etc.)

Make sure that you have fuel in the tank. It may be that your vehicle fuel gauge isn't working properly.The first signs that there is too little fuel in the tank are occasional lugging, loss of power, and a louder, irregular sound of the electric fuel pump coming out from the fuel tank

SOURCE: I was told to have

Well, longer oil change intervals all insist on enough oil. you cannot just keep going without checking it ROUTINELY.
I am not sure about the "thought I needed more oil" either it measured low or it did not....However, situations like you describe would not usually cause engine damage, and oil would not cause no start. I suspect that something else has happened, and I suggest that you get your vehicle towed to your mechanic, tell him all of the details and have it diagnosed.
Change your oil evey 2,500 to 3000 miles, it is cheap insurance.