- #4 of 46
-
Re: 1999 SL2 Electrical Short(?) [belannafan]
by viperskeele
-
Mar 13, 2007 (8:27 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: belannafan (Jan 29, 2007 12:19 pm)
Hi, I've discovered through much searching that the alternators in these go bad and cause all kinds of wierd electrical problems. These alternators don't quit like a normal alternator does when it goes bad, they give a much weaker output, so all the electrical systems are struggling to keep up.
First: The brake light is probably coming on because your emergency brake handle isn't all the way seated.
Second: the brake light when it comes on is probably sapping enough power from the dash display module to drop your computerized stuff all to zero, Because of the low output from the alternator. Put a new alternator into it.
|
- #5 of 46
-
1996 Poltergeist Saturn Sedan
by amonkey
-
Mar 19, 2007 (6:15 pm)
-
|
|
Does this sound familiar to anyone... door locks clicking like the car is haunted. The battery dying for no apparent reason. Squeal coming from engine area, even after fluid and belts have been replaced. Alternator and Battery replacement. I gave my '96 Saturn to my daughter three years ago, and for the past two years it has been one electronic issue after another. Any ideas for a way to exorcize this vehicle?
|
- #6 of 46
-
Re: 1996 Poltergeist Saturn Sedan [amonkey]
by cmelau
-
Mar 25, 2007 (7:33 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: amonkey (Mar 19, 2007 6:15 pm)
i have a 97 and it did the same thing, i disconnected the lock on the drivers side and it went away, now i have a different problem, just so you know, i am a mechanic, now my fuel pump is shutting down, i replaced it and it still does it, i went to the relay. It wasnt there just a jumper wire, put drl relay in its place and it still happens, im stumped.
|
- #7 of 46
-
2001 SC2 Air Recirc doesn't stop outside air
by imjustsomeguy
-
Apr 02, 2007 (1:34 pm)
-
|
I'd like to inspect the air recirculation door, motor and linkage to determine why it seems to make no difference whether I put recirc ON or OFF...both choices produce lots of outside ram air rushing into the car, bringing in lots of pollution and pollen that drives my allergies crazy.
But my Haynes manual makes no mention of where these are located, nor how to get to them without unnecessarily tearing the whole dash and subcomponents apart.
Does anyone know how I can get to these items to check them for proper functioning and adjustment? If so please post ASAP - thanks!
|
- #9 of 46
-
1996 Saturn Low Coolant High Trans Temp Light
by 96saturnsl2
-
May 13, 2007 (7:51 pm)
-
|
Hi, i have a 1996 Saturn SL2 with 124k on it and for the past 10k miles the Low Coolant High Trans Temp Light, has been on, i've replaced the trans temp sensor and the coolant overflow tank, all to no luck, if you have any ideas or suggestions i'm open to them. This light is bugging me because its the only light on in my dash cluster.
Thanks
|
- #10 of 46
-
Re: 1999 SL2 Electrical Short(?) [viperskeele]
by satidle
-
May 21, 2007 (2:00 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: viperskeele (Mar 13, 2007 8:27 am)
Thought I had a "new" issue with my SL1, maybe not. First, my rear window defroster stopped working. I replaced both fuses and switch module, still does not work. Mechanic suspects a short somewhere, somewhere too expensive to track down! Shortly after this waste of time and money, the Emergency/Parking Brake indicator started coming on intermittently. Once I used the regular brakes a few times, it would go off. Then it came on and stayed on ever since (over a month now). I must have checked the Emer brake handle 16 times now, it is definitely down/off all the way. I don't drive this car much, so it doesn't worry me too much. But that damn light is annoying! Does this sound like these other alternator related problems?
|
- #11 of 46
-
WIPERS
by purplecar
-
May 22, 2007 (6:57 am)
-
|
|
I recently bought a 1996 Saturn SL1, and have been driving it for about 500 miles now out of nowhere my windsheild wipers come on by themselves. I played with the switch but found it to be in the correct position ( OFF ). Has anybody else had this problem. For something positive I checked my gas mileage 38 mpg.
|
- #12 of 46
-
Re: 1999 SL2 Electrical Short(?) [belannafan]
by timkarlberg
-
Jun 17, 2007 (9:34 am)
-
|
|
Replying to: belannafan (Jan 29, 2007 12:19 pm)
Same thing here (as the post at the top, with the speedometer and tach guage problems)! It's equal parts frustrating and encouraging to know I'm not the only one. The symptoms you described fit my problem to a "T". I drive a 1999 Saturn SW2, and have had this problem for about two years, very intermittently. Replaced the battery first because it was relatively inexpensive and easy. Seemed to work for about 6 months, then the unexplained phenomena starting popping up again. Mostly the goofy gauge stuff on the speedometer and tach. Finally replaced the alternator on a gut feeling and, again, seemed to fix the problem for another 3 months or so. Now it's back again, and I'm out of ideas. Any advice anyone?
|
- #13 of 46
-
Re: 1996 Poltergeist Saturn Sedan [amonkey]
by cw_meeks
-
Jul 08, 2007 (6:50 pm)
-
|
|
Replying to: amonkey (Mar 19, 2007 6:15 pm)
MOdern cars are very voltage sensitive.Check the voltage at the battery terminals with engine off ,then at high idle speed.AS far as I know there should be about 14.3 volts dc there at a speed just above idle.Wait, now do one more thing.Switch your digital voltmeter to ac mode and get a reading on the presence of any ac voltages.any ac voltage present should have very low voltage. those ac volts should only be a few tens of milivolts. check for loose connections to the alternator.check for corrosion inside electrical connections under the hood and around the engineand clean if req'd/ thank you
|
![[F]](http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/12h/www.edmunds.com/media/townhall/webxicons/site.gif){kind=small}
Forums
Sedans 
