I have a 1995 saturn. i had it for 5 years without any problems except for 2 years ago i needed a new starter but the big problem started about two months ago i bought a new battery. so its been about 2 weeks since my car battery is completely drained. i had it recharged and it slowly drains again. iv done some reading could be a parasitic battery ( my car windshield cleaner also stopped coming out as well as my car charger stopped working and my automatic car lock as well) or i even read it could mean i need new spark plugs but then i read in other places spark plugs would have nothing to do with that? im kinda confused on that. if anyone has some helpful insight on what my problem could be. also i did notice a leak in my cover gasket which in turn caused my spark plugs to be covered in oil. im started to think thats its just time to get a new car but i dont want to let the saturn go!

First of all your service light came on so give it a service then have the service light reset then check the thermastac, water levels and the choke is working properly and all the elecric working parts are good

You have what is called a parasitic draw on the electrical system , battery . Could be a control module not powering down when it's should . a electrical componet is staying on . , light in glove box , something you can't see . Bad diode in the alternator could cause this . But this just gussing , testing is the way to a fix . Watch thesed videos on testing for a draw on the system . Improved Methods to Find Parasitic Draw Battery Drains Overnight

The Trainer 27 3 Ways Of Finding The Cause Of Key Off Battery Drain...

it might not be the starter it could just be a relay i would check the relay and if it is just clicking when you try to start it then that is probubly it if not maybe you have a bad batery

1- If engine is not cranking but hearing a click then

a- Problem with battery.

Try to jump start then if battery is over 5 years, replace battery

b- Solenoid works but not the starter.

Need to repalce the starter.

2- If engine is cranking but not catching on, then the problem is with the Bendix part. it is an intergrated part of the starter.

Replace the starter.

You will need a meter or a test light to check the starter. You will have a big wire cable going from the battery to the starter that always has 12 volts positve at it. The smaller wire will have 12 positive when the ignition key is turned to "start." If you have both of these at the starter, your starter is bad.

Have you tried replacing the starter? I know starters can go bad if the car is not started or run for a long time.

I am getting the same car, with the same issue.. it sat for 2 yrs and won't start.

My mechanic told me it is probably a starter.

Can you bypass the cylinoid?

try getting a new fly wheel installed in your car because it soulds like you have a few ground down spots on it. my buddies saturn had this problem with the starter and he had to change the flywheel and it has worked ever since and that was 2 years ago.

Bentoni:

When the car does not crank can you hear a click from the engine compartment?
If you can, that is the Starter solenoid ( a relay) trying to connect the starter to the battery.

Here's how the system works. When you turn the ignition key to start your car, the ignition switch sends 12 volts to the starter solenoid (which is mounted on the top of the starter). Because the starter uses so much current from the battery, the solenoid is used to connect the starter directly to the battery. At this point your car should crank over. What happens lots of time with the starter is that certain parts inside the starter gradually wear out and get dirty, and the starter cannot operate in this condition. HOWEVER, Depending on where the starter stops after it has done it's job, determines whether or not it will crank the next time you try it.

I speak from personal experience since I just went thru this exact excerise 2 weeks ago with my F150 pickup. When I turned the ignition switch to start, all I got was a click, click. I took a hammer out of my truck and gave the starter a couple of swats. not real hard, just medium. It worked several times. I finally broke down and bought a starter. (a rebuilt one) BTW, a new starter comes with a new solenoid already attached.. For my 94 F150 it cost me $100.00.

You might check around at some auto salvage yards and see if you could get a used one. it would be cheaper but might get you thru until you can afford a rebuilt one.

Hope this helps, Good luck Loringh PS Please leave a rating for me Thank you

you can replace the cylinoid,but I prefer to change the whole thing specially that it seems like starter drag when you buy the new starter the cylinoid will be built on the new starter,if you change the cylinoid itself,and you still need a starter youll have to buy the starter and cylinoid as one unit,and they wont take the cylinoid back that you broke,but either way I would pull the starter and bring it down to an autozone and have it checked for free,if this helps please give me a fix ya