Help! Car won't start & they can't fix it.?

Question

I've already checked several answers to similar questions, but I'm not sure if others are having the same problem... 2 weeks ago I couldn't start my car, but it started when jumped so I took to mechanic and they gave me an (expensive) new battery. Saturday the car did the same thing, but it wouldn't jump and we had to get it towed. By Monday, the dealer went to get the car & they say it "started right up." They keep trying to re-create it not starting & say they can't figure out what it is unless it won't start again (????) The car doesn't sputter, turn over or anything when I turn the key. This occurred both times when I drove the car a few blocks, ran into the store for a few minutes, and then came out and tried to start the car. Any ideas? I have a feeling mechanic is going to send me home w/ it sans any repairs. Oh, it's a 1999 Saturn SC2 with automatic transmission.

Answer 1

I have a 1999 Saturn Sl 2... With an automatic, it might be the neutral switch. Simple test here... Next time it won't start, put the car in neutral (with your foot on the brake) and then turn the key. If it starts, you have a bad neutral switch. Also, it might be as simple as a bad ground wire off the starter. The starter may be going bad and just not bad yet.  A bad ignition could also be the problem.

These are the areas I'd check.

Good luck!

Answer 2

as its an auto there might be a afult with the park switch...

Answer 3

Check if the battery terminals are rusted, that is the kind of trouble i had one time and i changed the battery along with the 2 battery terminals and it worked. but just to make sure just move the battery terminals on the battery and try to get it started. just move them so the rust gets out a little(if there is rust)

Answer 4

Yes I  have sen this there is a fusible link between the battery and the starter with age they do not like heat change cable from battery to starter  

Answer 5

I have a 99 Olds Intrigue and from time to time the car just won't start.  There is nothing wrong with it and if I go away for 15 minutes or so and come back it starts right up.  One mechanic told me it is a security feature and that the car will usually reset the security and start in a while.  A tow truck driver told me the same thing.  I have never found anyone that can "fix" it, but about every 3-4 months it just won't start and I sit and wait a while and then it starts up.  This almost always happens to me at QuikTrip - like you said...a short trip to the store.  Good luck.

Answer 6

Check your starter. If the starter is fine you may have a short goingto it. This happened in pink Tracker. But it sounds just like a starter.  

Answer 7

Bad alternater maybe?

Could also be water related.

At any rate, it sounds like something's shorting out.

Answer 8

it coldm be some loose wires or torn gears in the altinater it could be a dead starter to

Answer 9

it might not be the right battery for that car.

Answer 10

if jumping it does not help, its not the alternator or battery.

could be starter, solenoid, loose connection, ignition switch, or transmission switch.

when it won't start:

does it click?

if you turn the key just to ON (not START), do the usual indicators light up on the dash?

will the headlights come on?

did you try shifting out of park and back in to park? or jiggling the shifter?

Answer 11

My best guess would be a faulty ignition switch...

Answer 12

More than likely you have a bad ground wire from the battery or a bad power wire to the starter.  

Answer 13

i was having that issue.  i needed a new started (and of course they couldnt re-create the problem either)