2001 Saturn no crank no start intermitant

Hello,

I have a 2001 SL1 Saturn in which I replaced the battery. The car starts if it sits over night and runs with no issue. If I turn it off it will have to sit for several hours again before it wants to start again. I checked the normal things like battery connection, security setting, and fuel pump noise when starting. I am trying to pinpoint if its the starter since when I turn the key on after running there is a no crank no start but all of the dash lights turn on and I hear the fuel pump prime.

Any thoughts?

 

1) Have your charging system load tested at AutoZone or similar. It's free.
We're looking to see that the alternator is properly charging the battery AND that the battery is able to store the charge given to it.

2) have a buddy measure the dc voltage across the battery. What is the value before cranking? What is the voltage reading while holding the key to crank during a no crank episode? If the voltage drops below about 10.5 to 11.0 volts, your new battery may be defective.

3) check the positive battery lead where it connects to other components, like the alternator and starter. A loose connection that expands with heat may become a no connection until it cools enough that the connection becomes a connection again.

4) park the vehicle somewhere you will have good access to the front right wheel. Put the parking brake on. Jack the car up in the front and place on jack stands. Remove the right front tire and wheel well liner to get good access to the starter.

During a no crank, have a buddy hold the key to crank while you place something like the long handle of your floor jack against the case of the starter. Whack the pipe pretty good w a mallet or hammer.

Make sure the pipe is away from the pulley and serp belt.

If the starter comes to life and starts the car, the Bendix in the starter (part that extends the starter gear to engage the flywheel) is stuck or otherwise malfunctioning.

I'd give this 2 tries to confirm (most people only give it one try but I'm kind of neurotic).

Since you have access, you can also just pull the starter and take it to AutoZone or similar and have it bench tested. To do so I believe you need to get under the vehicle to get one of the bolts out that holds the starter in place.

If it does end up being the starter, do not buy one of the cheap AutoZone lifetime warranty remanufactured starters. You'll get about a year out of each one. Then you'll be down there replacing it again. It's worth the extra money to get a decent brand name starter, preferably new if you can afford it.

 

If the starter comes to life and starts the car, the Bendix in the starter (part that extends the starter gear to engage the flywheel) is stuck or otherwise malfunctioning.

The car starts if it sits over night and then it will startup and after turning it off again the cycle repeats. I am going to replace the starter and see if it fixes it.