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Post by chris on May 17, 2011 17:42:16 GMT -5
okay here is the story:
Two weeks ago I stopped at an A/C place to see about my A/C (was blowing warm air). He checked it and said the car looks good no rust etc except a coil was elec coil went but they don't just sell the coil, (have to buy the clutch and another part that goes with it (3 parts) Said he would call around and then called me and said Saturn would not sell him the part. So now he said for a few bucks more I should get the compressor because if he replaces just he parts then later if the compressor goes it will cost me much more than what I would be paying. After leaving there the next day I left work and stopped at the store and my car died when I went to start it again. AAA came and jumped me and told me I had a bad battery so I replaced that last Wed. (still under warranty. Okay so today I had the A/C done and drive away to the library and when I went to leave the car would not start.....coincedence each time I leave A/C place that car does not start.
So now I call AAA to come and while waiting decide to start the car and what happens it starts. But my question is why is this happening. A/C place maybe did something to wires. Did the battery place give me a new battery cause when I just looked at it it looked just like the old one and does not look brand spanking new to me. At this point I ma not sure who to go after first with why car does not start. My regular mechanic whom I trust and does all my car repairs is too far away from where I live so I would be stuck for a ride. I drove home by the way . Hope it still runs in the morning when I go to work. I am due for a trip to Utica but for sure don't want to get stuck on the road so this needs to be addressed.
What would you do....any ideas, thoughts most welcome.
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Post by JGRobinson on May 17, 2011 18:33:03 GMT -5
A new battery should have the new date code punched out of the label on the top, thats how they ensure the age of install. If it has an old date code on it, take it back and ask what gives. You should also check and see if any lights are still lit in the engine compartment or cab when the car is off and doors are all closed, checking the hood can be tricky if its got a hood switch (Check at night for a glow).
Because it would not start not long after you parked it, the battery or charging system would be my first check but it could be problems with the wiring of the AC, have them that fixed it check it out.
Could be coincidence but maybe not.
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Post by firstamendment on May 17, 2011 18:44:59 GMT -5
Check the battery terminals to make sure they are tight. That should be first and foremost the place I'd start with.
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Post by chris on May 18, 2011 0:26:03 GMT -5
Thank you JGR and FA but I'd have to trust both places. I don't know where the date code is and I don't know how to check the battery terminals to see if they are tight. All I can do is go back to each place and ask for them to do it. I feel like I'm kind of in a funny situation. My mechanic who I normally bring my car problems to and whom I trust is probably not going to want to go in after someone else's work. Both A/C and battery are covered but not by him. And I'd probably have to spend more $$ for a diagnostic from him. Like Riley use to say What revolting development this is!
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Post by firstamendment on May 18, 2011 8:29:40 GMT -5
Date code should be on the label on the battery as far as I know. Grab hold of the battery terminals, one at a time not both at once, and try to turn them. They should not budge.
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Post by chris on May 28, 2011 21:27:12 GMT -5
Went out earlier stopped at Wegmans. Got back in the car and again the car would not start. Great................ holiday weekend so now am I stuck home for the weekend?  . Called AAA, car was jumped but still would not turn over so tow chain on car and the guy gets in my car and now it starts. Seems the tumblers are not lined up so maybe needs a new ignition. Guy told me if it happens again to just tap the top of the key. Is ther a full moon out or what? |
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Post by JGRobinson on May 29, 2011 5:54:54 GMT -5
Sorry to hear the saga continues. Question- It doesnt turn over or it turns over slowly when its screwing up? Cars have lockout/ neutral start and Brake sensor switches on Standards for safety and security. Making no attempt to turn over would lead me there! If they had to take the dash out/ apart to fix your AC, they could have misaligned any one of 3 or more of these switches putting it back together.
If it does not turn over at all and does nothing- put the car in neutral and try it again, if it doesn't work, slam it back into Park with a little force. Try it again, if that doesn't do anything. Remove the key, put it back in, rotate it counterclockwise than clockwise and try to start it again. Try depressing the Brake while starting, especially if its a standard, then depress it very hard. Repeat these things a couple of times to see if you can narrow the problem down.
If none of that works, take everything you need out of the car, tow it downtown, leave the keys in it and wait for it to disappear! Call the police, your Insurance company and a reputable used or new car dealer.
Good luck Chris!
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Post by dgriffin on May 29, 2011 7:28:14 GMT -5
Went out earlier stopped at Wegmans. Got back in the car and again the car would not start. Great................ holiday weekend so now am I stuck home for the weekend? . Called AAA, car was jumped but still would not turn over so tow chain on car and the guy gets in my car and now it starts.[ Seems the tumblers are not lined up so maybe needs a new ignition. Guy told me if it happens again to just tap the top of the key. Is ther a full moon out or what? That sounds familiar. Have you had new keys made lately? When I drove away from the dealer in my new Tundra a few years ago, I got a mile or so down the road before realizing neither the radio or the wipers worked. I called the salesman and headed back and by the time I arrived he had figured out the problem. The key he had given me by mistake had been noted by the mechanic as having a problem with its bumps and lobes. Modern ignition switches have a number of switches contained in them and if the key is faulty (or maybe bent or worn?) certain systems in the vehicle will not get turned on. In my case, the truck started and ran, but half the electronics on board didn't work. |
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Post by firstamendment on May 29, 2011 9:44:32 GMT -5
If the key turns in the ignition, then there is nothing wrong with the key cylinder or the tumblers. However, that does not mean the actual ignition switch isn't bad. The lock cylinder is separate from the actual ignition switch.
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Post by dgriffin on May 29, 2011 11:18:06 GMT -5
FA: "If the key turns in the ignition, then there is nothing wrong with the key cylinder or the tumblers."
But I wonder about the key. As soon as my bad key was replaced, everything ran fine and has for the past seven years. There was nothing wrong with the tumblers or the switches. So, I'm left with the impression (and was told) it was the key. Is that probable, do you think?
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Post by chris on May 29, 2011 11:21:02 GMT -5
in other words you want me to beat the sh-- out of it. Gladly ;D The car would not start when I put the key in the ignition. No sound (click)and then when the AAA guy came nothing happened when he tried to jump it. He then checked a box under the hood next to the battery. Was planning on towing me and hooked up the chain to my car and then got in the car (I guess to turn the car out away from the post in the parking lot I was parked in front of.) All of a sudden I heard my car start so he must have taken the keys and inserted into the ignition maybe to put the car in neutral) He is the one that said it was the tumplesrs not lining up. Dave...same old key I had since the day I bought her. I do have a spare maybe I'll use that one since I'm sure it hasn't been worn out like the one on my keychain. Groannnnn...no car no trip to Utica  |
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Post by firstamendment on May 29, 2011 13:34:59 GMT -5
FA: "If the key turns in the ignition, then there is nothing wrong with the key cylinder or the tumblers." But I wonder about the key. As soon as my bad key was replaced, everything ran fine and has for the past seven years. There was nothing wrong with the tumblers or the switches. So, I'm left with the impression (and was told) it was the key. Is that probable, do you think? Well the lock cylinder is like any other lock cylinder, just like say a deadbolt. Either the key moves all the tumblers or it doesn't. That's why I say if the key turns the lock, it doesn't sound like an issue with the key or the lock cylinder. However, not all keys and cars are alike. Some of the newer cars have a chip embedded in them to prevent the car from starting if someone is using a false key or picking the lock. Without knowing what you drive, I can't say if this is the issue. |
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Post by firstamendment on May 29, 2011 17:56:41 GMT -5
Went out earlier stopped at Wegmans. Got back in the car and again the car would not start. Great................ holiday weekend so now am I stuck home for the weekend? . Called AAA, car was jumped but still would not turn over so tow chain on car and the guy gets in my car and now it starts.[ Seems the tumblers are not lined up so maybe needs a new ignition. Guy told me if it happens again to just tap the top of the key. Is ther a full moon out or what? That sounds familiar. Have you had new keys made lately? When I drove away from the dealer in my new Tundra a few years ago, I got a mile or so down the road before realizing neither the radio or the wipers worked. I called the salesman and headed back and by the time I arrived he had figured out the problem. The key he had given me by mistake had been noted by the mechanic as having a problem with its bumps and lobes. Modern ignition switches have a number of switches contained in them and if the key is faulty (or maybe bent or worn?) certain systems in the vehicle will not get turned on. In my case, the truck started and ran, but half the electronics on board didn't work. It was probably a Valet key. I have seen some cars that have a second key, slightly shorter than the regular key that is dubbed a "valet" key. |
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Post by dgriffin on May 29, 2011 18:52:21 GMT -5
Aha! Possibly it was indeed a valet key, although it didn't look any different that I remember, but it was seven years ago. The truck was new, so I don't know why they might have been using one, but it makes sense. Also, it doesn't make sense the wipers wouldn't work for a valet, but I guess if he stole my car he wouldn't get far in the rain!  |
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Post by chris on May 29, 2011 23:41:16 GMT -5
I have a Saturn SL2. When I bought the car I recieved two identical keys. (knock on wood still starting) I was looking up some stuff on Google and came up with some interesting stuff...including one called "eric the car guy" who makes videos on car problems and how an engine starts was interesting.....although I doubt I'll ever be putting any of those tips to use personally. ;D At least I know how my car starts to tick,
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. Called AAA, car was jumped but still would not turn over so tow chain on car and the guy gets in my car and now it starts. Seems the tumblers are not lined up so maybe needs a new ignition. Guy told me if it happens again to just tap the top of the key. Is ther a full moon out or what?
