96 SL2 Shorting out

saturnsad · 01-30-2010, 06:29 AM

Hello everyone!

New to the site, awesome info available! Glad you guys are here!
So here is my problem... Hope someone out there can help me out...

Replaced fuel filter and pump and replaced f/pump relay and blown fuse on 96 SL2 and still wouldn't start every time and if it started had to keep foot on gas to keep running. Towed it to the local GM Dealership to put on computer for codes, etc..., he had my car for 2 weeks! Finally said he found a bare wire under the dash going to the fuel pump relay but then said it wouldn't cold start after "repairing" the wire so he replaced the temp sensor and said he found another blown fuse and replaced that as well. When I went to get my car he stated he also ran a fuel pressure test with specs (shows on receipt) however, I have no idea what the results were nor do I have the specs.

After I picked up my car and drove home, it was running great however the heater/defroster fan didn't seem to be blowing as strong as before. The next day i was cleaning the dash panel (while the car was running idle with heater/defroster on) with an Armour-All Cleaning wipe and I bumped the cig lighter. The light around the lighter flickered as did the dome light. Figuring something was shorting out, i tried to pull the lighter out, the lights flickered again & went out, the heater died and then the car died. The lighter was pretty freaking warm however. Tried to restart but no go, not even with a jump. Normal dash lights when trying to start. Checked the fuses and found 2 almost melted and the fuel pump fuse was 15 amp rather than 10 (as owners manual states). Also can no longer hear the fuel pump when starting (key in ACC position). So basically I spent over $200 to only end up worse off than when this all started. I can't get ahold of the guy at the dealership as they are closed for the weekend.
I am soo mad and sad as my car has now been out of commission for almost 2 months and when I finally got it back it only ran for 24 hours.

Now I can't sleep wondering what is really going on with my poor car.
PLEASE HELP... ANY SUGGESTIONS WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED...

hoseppi · 01-30-2010, 11:40 PM

Are all of the replaced fuses on the inside panel?

saturnsad · 02-01-2010, 12:11 AM

yes, all replaced fuses on inside panel. Also checked ones under the hood, they all look good.
Any suggestions?

hoseppi · 02-01-2010, 02:37 AM

Are you sure you have a good battery and that the charging system is working properly? These cars are extremely voltage sensitive.

**Ssicarman** · 02-01-2010, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saturnsad

Checked the fuses and found 2 almost melted

Check the fuse block. The front and more important the wiring harness connectors on the back. If things are melted back there then you will need to replace the fuse block for sure. If the connectors are bad engouh the harness may need to be replaced.

hoseppi · 02-01-2010, 01:10 PM

Was the car ever in a flood or does it have salvage history? I'm in the Saturn used parts business, and I've sold several of the engine compartment fuse panels but never a passenger compartment panel. It's rare when they go bad, but abnormal conditions (esp flood water) would negate the rule book. On a flood car you would see mineral tracking on the surface of the panel, between the fuses.

saturnsad · 02-03-2010, 08:24 AM

No flooding or salvage history. Bought her with 105K of mostly highway miles and an excellent maint. record. Never even been more than 3000 miles between oil changes.
I will have to check into the other suggestions; we have a guy here in town that used to work for GM and is supposedly the "Wiring God" locally, so I told him I was going to put him to the test. He is going to check her out tomorrow, so I will definately pass on the advice and suggestions.
You guys are absolutely awesome! I will be sure to let you know what I find out. Thankx!

RjION · 02-13-2010, 01:43 AM

Clean,Check,Replace positive battery cable.
Clean and check the negative battery cable.