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98 Saturn with No Electric
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beachde
New User
Jun 7, 2010, 8:33 AM
Post #1 of 6
(2070 views)
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98 Saturn with No Electric
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I have a 98 Saturn SL1 which has mysteriously ceased to have any power whatsoever. The wife tried to start it in the morning and said the lights flashed on briefly and then nothing. I tried it later in the day, and there is absolutely no power... no ignition, no lights, no horn, nothing. I checked the battery, it is good, I checked the ground wire for faults, it is also good. I assume it cannot be a bad ignition switch as the horn and lights are also completely dead. I also checked the fuse panel and all the fuses seem to be in good order. So, I'm curious if there is something easy I'm not thinking about without having to troubleshoot the entire electrical system to find an opening, or if this car should just toddle along down to the junkyard. It has 250k miles so I'm leaning toward the latter. Thanks!
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 7, 2010, 9:34 AM
Post #2 of 6
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Re: 98 Saturn with No Electric
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How did you test the battery and conclude that it was good?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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beachde
New User
Jun 7, 2010, 11:29 AM
Post #3 of 6
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Re: 98 Saturn with No Electric
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I tested the charge with a voltmeter, and the specific gravity of the individual cells. Both point to a full charge, the battery is also new as of 10/2009 (along with the alternator). It seemed to me that even with an insufficient charge to engage the starter the lights/horn should operate.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 7, 2010, 12:01 PM
Post #4 of 6
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Re: 98 Saturn with No Electric
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Yes, it sounds like a connection problem somewhere or a burned out fusible link. Check around the starter for burnt links and all the power connections from the battery cables.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Jun 7, 2010, 9:17 PM
Post #5 of 6
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Re: 98 Saturn with No Electric
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Before doing anything else. Take the cables off & clean both cables & battery terminals.....
What was the exact voltage reading of the battery & spg of each cell?
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beachde
New User
Jun 8, 2010, 6:46 AM
Post #6 of 6
(2037 views)
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Re: 98 Saturn with No Electric
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Thanks for the input guys. I may try changing out the battery cables, but I'm leaning toward just junking/donating the car. With 12 years and 250k miles I don't think it's worth continuing to pour time/money into it. Great forum help, thanks again!
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