1999 SL2

Please describe the "no start" symptom and the "car died" symptom too. We have no idea based on what you wrote if the starter turns over the engine or not and at what speed and engine RPM it died. Did it stall out while at idle or completely cut out at 55MPH? It also would be useful to provide the vehicle mileage, battery age, maintenance history and any recent maintenance performed, etc.

The bottom line is that the better and more detailed your description, the better the advice and discussion you will generate on this newsgroup.

Bob

I had something very mildly like this, but in a different car that turn out to be a short in a "going bad" starter... When the starter was hot (or just hot / humid outside), when you turned the key to try start it, it would short out and pop fuses on me. (But for me, it also ground out the battery and I ended up having to eventually replace that too as battery's tend not to like that happening to them too many times before they crap out...) I replaced the starter (and the battery soon after that) and was fine...Not sure this is your issue, but you might try there if no one else has any thoughts for you...

Good Luck

IYM

Almost 100% certain indication that somehow the battery has become disconnected. You probably have a loose or corroded connection at one of the battery terminals, or at the opposite end of the negative battery cable.

Forgot to mention -- this could also be caused by a defective battery (loose internal connection, between the post and plate, for example). Do you have another car you could switch batteries with for a week or two?

Also check your battery cables while you're at it. Not likely to be the cause, but a visual inspection for damage takes only a minute.

Doug,

These were my initial thoughts as well since they are very common issues, but neither would account for the car dying when it was already started and running. (John has yet to provide any details on that failure mode...)

Bob

Negative battery cable becoming disconnected certainly does cause the car to die while running. Some cars, anyway -- it's happened to me twice. Not on either of my Saturns, though...

It has never died when running. It runs fine once it has started. After you have turned it off it does this. I thought I had said that once it runs it runs and doesn't die

Thoroughly clean the battery posts and cable connectors and then re-tighten them. Also check to make sure the cables themselves are good and that the connection at he starter is also good. As good measure, you can also remove and clean all connections to the chassis and engine grounds too. If it then acts up again, you will know it is either the battery (Car should start off jump fine then) or a problem in the starting system (the starter, starter solenoid, starter relay, or ignition key switch).

Good luck. Intermittent problems are a PITA to diagnose ...

Bob

I do not see how the fuel pump could do what you describe. It would definitely blow a fuse before it could cause the type of short you describe. In addition, none of the other accessories (lights, etc.) that you described as working would operate. I am not familiar with the "securuty" block module so have no comment on that.

Good luck.

Bob

I agree. I'm betting on a bad battery or connections to the battery.

Doug,

I definitely agree with you (battery connections/cables or battery). A resistive connection drops the voltage and prevents sufficient current to engage the starter.

If not that then the next most likely cause would be the starter solenoid, followed by the starter relay, ignition switch, neutral/park safety interlock, or the engine and chassis grounds.

Bob

Of that list, though, only the engine and chassis grounds would explain the radio resetting to factory settings. *That* is why I'm convinced that the OP either has a bad battery, or bad connections between the battery and ground.

Doug,

From the post, it is not at all clear when the radio got reset to its factory settings ... I was simply assuming it could have been during earlier troubleshooting and diagnosis when the battery could have been temporarily disconnected. I figure better to give a more exhaustive list and let the OP make his own decisions from there. In any event, based on the limited info that has been provided, we seem to be in agreement that the mechanic may be overlooking the obvious.

In any event, I wish the OP well and hope he posts a more descriptive failure mode and the ultimate root cause to benefit others.

Bob