OT - 2007 Sautrn Vue AWD V-6 Will not Crank

1130Leo

Member
Anyone here have experiance with the Saturn VUE V-6 not starting? My car has over 170K miles on it, ran perfect as usual home last night. Got chores done and had a meeting to go to last night, jumped in the car, turned the key, Lights good, but the engine did not even attempt to turn over, have checked fuses, can hear the fuel pump run like it should, can hear some minor clicks under the dash like some relays are working, however I do not hear any clicks at all from under the hood. I think the Starter is shot, but usually one gets at least a click????
 
It is an automatic and in park, will try neutral
tonight. I have been having "issues" with the
airbag light staying on then suddenly going off,
which leads me to think the computer may be
shot... That's an expensive and time consuming
repair as they have to program the stupid thing
before they ship.... Of course, I do not want to
buy that first as it's $$$$$
 
How about doing some diagnostic work first....

Here are your choices:
1) Check it out THOROUGHLY, and repair the problem.
2) Change parts until you "accidentally" get it going...

First thing is to check to see if it is getting power, and enough of it. Start by load testing the battery. Then check for voltage at the starter. Use a test light to check for voltage at the small wire on the starter. Have a helper try the "start" position on the ignition switch while you see if there is voltage. No voltage? start working your way back to the neutral safety switch or clutch switch. Then to the "start" terminal of the ignition switch.
If you DO have voltage at the starter, check to be SURE that you have a good ground and starter is securely bolted.
If this all checks out, take the starter off and have it tested. Around here, AutoZone tests starters and alternators for free.

Overall, this is the least expensive way to repair the problem.
 
I checked the easy stuff last night in the rain, the battery is good, also tried jumping it, just for good measure, made no change. If I had a helper, it would help for certain. I have a test light with a clamp and a long coil, I may be able to clip it on the terminal, and then ground it while turning the key, I think the coil is long enough. It is parked outside of course, and it was pouring rain last night and this am so I really could not get far. This car have never had any work done on it since new, this is the first break down. I did see the wiring going to the starter and do not see much corrosion, but the starter case is pretty rusty, 7 1/2 years in michigan, no surprise. I actually hope to find I do have power at the starter.
 
Use a hydrometer and check each battery cell.
A fully charged battery's specific gravity should be in 1.275 range. If one cell reads 1.100 you need a new battery. Also clean all battery connections until they're shiny. Hal
 
I went to start the 2-135 White yesterday and it did the same thing. I had to jump the starter with a screwdriver. After I got done with it and shut it off,it started right back up. I suspect the clutch safety switch on that one.
On a car,I'd try wiggling the shift while I held the key to the start position.
 
I may try the screwdriver trick, if i can not get the test light to work, at least that would tell me if the starter is working or not. I have started many tractors that was in the past.
 
saturnfans.com has a Vue forum. I am on there daily for my S car and it is filled with experts that know all about your particular model.
 
My money is on the ignition switch. Try turning the key to run and using jumper wires across the little terminal and battery terminal at the solenoid to crank it.

All usual safety precautions... If not comfortable, don't try it.
 
I have an older Saturn Vue,2002. It did the same thing this summer and it was the starter. I would jump across the solenoid to make sure the starter is good before tearing into the wiring harness.
 
Tested it tonight, had power on the battery cable, setup my test light, it lit every time I hit the start position with the key. Removed the starter, hooked up jumper cables to the starter then shorted it across the terminals, nothing. Starter is shot. Picking up replacement tomorrow.
 
John, I tried that site, jumped thru the hoops, tried to post, it will not let me, nor can I find a way to contact the admin to figure it out. Looks like lots of info there. I am glad I did not see that site before I bought my Vue, I may not have, some people there have had very bad luck with their cars. Mine has been a great car over 170k on it, and the starter is really the first problem, other than wheel bearings, every 25 to 30k miles change both front wheel bearings like clock work.
 

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