# 1996 Saturn SL2, sitting since last summer (over a year) **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sl, saturn\ **Created:** [October 31, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348 "2021-10-31T19:42:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 14\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![jb79](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@jb79](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jb79)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2021, 7:42pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/1 "2021-10-31T19:42:28Z")
All, I haven’t had to use it and it has low miles, like 75-80K if I remember. I think the starter went out on it last summer and haven’t been able to get it started. Yes I changed out that all too common temp sensor a couple of years back(it came up on my old SL2 as well). Battery is fine. Just doesn’t turn over. Thinking it’s the starter. I’m moving in just under a month so obviously the car has to come with me. I plan on driving it again. I don’t want to part with it as it’s a VERY clean car and replaced that pesky rusty crossmember as well. It even still has hints of the new card smell as the previous owner never drove it and we only put maybe 10K on it in the last 5-6 years. And selling it I wouldn’t get the value. So, anyway. I’m sure the breaks are now shot. Anyway, aside from probably an oil change(even though the oil was new when I put it in last year) and new gas, what else, assuming the starter is the culprate? ---
**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 31, 2021, 7:44pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/2 "2021-10-31T19:44:41Z")
Have you tried shifting the transmission into neutral to see if cranks? Tester ---
**Author:** ![jb79](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@jb79](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jb79)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2021, 7:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/3 "2021-10-31T19:48:36Z")
No I haven’t. I can that later. If it does, what does that indicate? The gas is old though now. ![B2BA3CCE763242DBB0D2EF011FA9704E.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/1/7159a975d714a6caee787759490140daf4d4fda6.png) ---
**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 31, 2021, 7:50pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/4 "2021-10-31T19:50:54Z")
If the engine cranks, it means the contacts in the park/neutral safety switch for the park position are corroded. Tester ---
**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 31, 2021, 7:52pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/5 "2021-10-31T19:52:00Z")
Open the gas cap and take a whiff. Does it smell like gas? 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 31, 2021, 7:55pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/6 "2021-10-31T19:55:51Z")
if your engine turns over but does not start this could be your problem. [Duralast Ignition Control Module SA101 (autozone.com)](https://www.autozone.com/ignition-tune-up-and-routine-maintenance/ignition-control-module/p/duralast-ignition-control-module-sa101/263882_0_0) ---
**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 31, 2021, 7:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/7 "2021-10-31T19:57:36Z")
> [@jb79](#): > > Just doesn’t turn over. Don’t people read these posts? Tester ---
**Author:** ![jb79](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@jb79](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jb79)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2021, 7:59pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/8 "2021-10-31T19:59:04Z")
Yeah smells like gas. Sucks cause I got two cars I have to figure out before I move lol this and the ION in my other post. ![B2BA3CCE763242DBB0D2EF011FA9704E.png](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/7/1/7159a975d714a6caee787759490140daf4d4fda6.png) ---
**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 31, 2021, 8:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/9 "2021-10-31T20:00:01Z")
I read it but when some people say it does not turn over they really mean it turns over but does not start. ---
**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 31, 2021, 8:37pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/10 "2021-10-31T20:37:03Z")
Do you have a digital multimer, jack and jackstands? If so, you can get under there and make sure you’ve got voltage at the appropriate starter terminals while somebody turns the key to “start” position ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/30_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2021, 9:12pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/11 "2021-10-31T21:12:43Z")
The vehicle in question has been sitting for more than one year without the engine running, but the OP is _sure_ that the battery is okay? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![jb79](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/b4bc9f/32.png) [@jb79](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jb79)\ **Post date:** [October 31, 2021, 10:10pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/12 "2021-10-31T22:10:26Z")
Disconnected, plus I couldn’t get it to turn with another battery from a currently used and running car. ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [November 1, 2021, 12:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/13 "2021-11-01T00:24:41Z")
You can try freshening up the connections and/or test for power at the starter, if it’s not the neutral safety switch. Then you gotta pull the starter and have it tested. Or being busy with a move, have it towed t a shop and let them worry about it while you pack. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [November 2, 2021, 12:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1996-saturn-sl2-sitting-since-last-summer-over-a-year/180348/14 "2021-11-02T00:27:37Z")
My Corolla sat unused for 9 months b/c of Covid complication, and to get it to crank and start at that point I had to recharge the battery using a battery charger , on the 2 amp setting, for 12+ hours.