2000 Saturn LW2 Wagon. Has anyone out there had a recurring problem with ignition?

klulesabtkarz

Car will start normally with no problem and then out of nowhere will not start. Battery is fine lights etc. have power but when key is turned gauge lights come on etc.but starter does not engage. Then later will try it again and it starts as if nothing was wrong, totally unpredictable in terms of when it happens.

Mr_Shiftright

If you have a simple test light, next time this happens you can test for voltage at the solenoid as someone turns the key to "start". If there is voltage, then the solenoid or starter are probably the culprit. If there is no voltage, it could be the ignition lock, or the neutral safety switch (automatic trans) or clutch safety switch (manual trans).

PF_Flyer

klulesabtkarz said:

Car will start normally with no problem and then out of nowhere will not start. Battery is fine lights etc. have power but when key is turned gauge lights come on etc.but starter does not engage. Then later will try it again and it starts as if nothing was wrong, totally unpredictable in terms of when it happens.

Since it does start at times, the starter solenoid may be the issue. If the starter is still the original, it feels like the likely culprit given the age of the vehicle. The starter itself could be the issue, but I'd start simple.

klulesabtkarz

Thanks Mr. Shiftright, I am beginning to think it is the ignition switch. Is this difficult to replace on this model ? Is there anything that needs to be reset ( as I have read about with the Ions) ?