# Saturn stalled, and now will not start **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** saturn\ **Created:** [January 7, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577 "2013-01-07T17:46:04Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Vago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5fc32e/32.png) [@Vago](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Vago)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 5:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/1 "2013-01-07T17:46:04Z")
I have a 95 Saturn SL2 4 Cyl DOHC with 196k miles. This engine however has about 140k. Yesterday I was driving to work and it stalled and now will not start. It gives one attempt to crank, a single “err” sound about half a second long and then I get nothing. The radio still comes on and the dash lights work, though I don’t believe all of them work to give the correct indications. The battery is not the problem. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what may cause this? ---
**Author:** ![RemcoW](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/remcow/32/2471_2.png) [@RemcoW](https://community.cartalk.com/u/RemcoW)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 6:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/2 "2013-01-07T18:00:49Z")
If you’re sure the battery isn’t the problem, I’d check the connections from it to the frame and starter. I bet one of them is corroded. It could be your starter but your car stalled: It wouldn’t do that with a bad starter. Check your battery connections and battery. ---
**Author:** ![markmast](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4af34b/32.png) [@markmast](https://community.cartalk.com/u/markmast)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 10:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/3 "2013-01-07T22:15:30Z")
The starter takes a LOT more power than the dash lights, etc. See if the dash lights stay on while you are attempting to start the car. Whatever happens, the first thing I would try is a jump start. ---
**Author:** ![GSragtop](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/7c8e57/32.png) [@GSragtop](https://community.cartalk.com/u/GSragtop)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2013, 11:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/4 "2013-01-07T23:28:48Z")
I agree with the jump start idea, it sure sounds like a weak battery to me. My bet is a bad alternator, or battery cable. If I recall replacing the alternator on that car is a real PIA that requires pulling the axle for access. Although its been years since I have last looked under the hood if a Saturn. ---
**Author:** ![Vago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5fc32e/32.png) [@Vago](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Vago)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/5 "2013-01-08T03:47:32Z")
We did try jumping it, somehow I forgot to mention that this morning. The dash lights do not stay on while attempting to start the car. We actually tried a brand new battery as well to no avail. I will have to attempt to clean up the connections though. ---
**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:** [January 8, 2013, 6:51am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/6 "2013-01-08T06:51:48Z")
@Vago make sure the engine isn’t seized Put a socket and a breaker bar on the crankshaft bolt and try to manually turn it over I know that sounds drastic, but you should rule out the worst case scenario ---
**Author:** ![Mayday](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ad7895/32.png) [@Mayday](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mayday)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 7:08am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/7 "2013-01-08T07:08:33Z")
I had a 93 Saturn SL1 with an occasional no-start episode where some- but not all -accessories worked. Sounds dumb, but jiggle the key, or use a different key. The keys seemed to wear quite a bit and its getting old. At least this won’t cost anything. Good luck. ---
**Author:** ![Vago](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/5fc32e/32.png) [@Vago](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Vago)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2013, 5:15pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/8 "2013-01-08T17:15:50Z")
I’ll check on the seized engine thing, but you don’t get any of the metal on metal “really bad” sound that normally comes with that. I also tried to use a different key and got no progress. I do appreciate all suggestions given this far, and hope that one will eventually work. ---
**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:** [January 9, 2013, 7:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-stalled-and-now-will-not-start/76577/9 "2013-01-09T07:25:43Z")
@Vago, depending on why an engine seizes, there may not be any “really bad” sound Hopefully you dont’ have that problem