# 1995 Saturn SL2 Starts fine when cold, but won't restart after driving for 15 minutes **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sl, saturn\ **Created:** [October 11, 2020, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080 "2020-10-11T04:16:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![nrnoble\_171480](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/dec6dc/32.png) [@nrnoble\_171480](https://community.cartalk.com/u/nrnoble_171480)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 4:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/1 "2020-10-11T04:16:59Z")
Here is a question for experienced mechanics or Saturn owners My 1995 Saturn SL2 will start just fine when the engine is cold (off for 30+ minutes), but if I drive it for 15+ minutes and shut the engine off the car won’t start. The engine doesn’t even attempt to turn over. It behaves as if the battery is dead. I don’t think it is the battery because everything else powers on like normal (lights, dashboard, wipers, blinkers, etc). Nothing else appears to be wrong. If I let the car sit for about 30+ minutes, it will start right back up as if nothing is wrong. if I drive the car for less than 15 minutes and shut the engine off, it takes 2-3 attempts of turning the key to get the engine to start again. The car will start if the engine turns over 1 time. It very clear. Its starts right up, or the engine does not even attempt to turn over. In other words, if I drive anywhere I need to plan to be there for 30+ minutes to make sure I can start the car. EDIT: There is no signs of problems while driving for any length of time, but driving is limited to short local trips around town. Have a newer car for a majority of driving and longer trips. ---
**Author:** ![Dappersworth](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dappersworth/32/22638_2.png) [@Dappersworth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Dappersworth)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 6:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/2 "2020-10-11T06:50:04Z")
First step it diagnosing ignition issues is checking all battery connections, grounds, and alternator connections. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 11:04am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/3 "2020-10-11T11:04:12Z")
Sounds like a failing starter to me, it’s getting heat soaked and needs to cool off to work. ---
**Author:** ![Tester](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/tester/32/15976_2.png) [@Tester](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Tester)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 7:33pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/4 "2020-10-11T19:33:24Z")
If it has an automatic transmission, the next time the engine doesn’t start, shift the transmission into neutral and then try starting the engine. If the engine starts, the park/neutral safety switch is being effected by heat. ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/1/6/160434935f0a44ee1d3ced3c19f3965d5ee3eccd.png) ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/9/8/987e856f3b54ebc02b5f03667e2397676c9be1aa.jpeg) Tester ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 7:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/5 "2020-10-11T19:38:21Z")
my friend has the same problem. I think it has to do with the ignition switch. there is a electronic part that goes bad. sorry cant remember the name. if you listen when you turn your ignition off you will here a click, thats the defective part. he also wouldnt be able to get his key out until he heres the click. it also would happen if he used his remote start. ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 7:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/6 "2020-10-11T19:39:35Z")
Bad starter relay in the underhood relay and fuse box, maybe. They omly cost about $15, and they are easy to swap for a similar relay nearby. Have a buddy stry to start it while you touch the relay. If it won’t click, it is affected by the heat. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [October 11, 2020, 8:06pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/7 "2020-10-11T20:06:14Z")
Here’s a very specific question . . . Is the engine also stalling? meaning . . . are you driving down the road and it’ll just stall out and you and won’t restart? ---
**Author:** ![SpaceTraveler](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/258eb7/32.png) [@SpaceTraveler](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SpaceTraveler)\ **Post date:** [September 13, 2023, 4:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1995-saturn-sl2-starts-fine-when-cold-but-wont-restart-after-driving-for-15-minutes/171080/8 "2023-09-13T16:52:23Z")
Did you ever find a solution?