Your Saturn SC‘s ignition switch is one of the most vital items on the entire vehicle. If it fails, the entire vehicle won’t be able to run. We’ve compiled some of the most common symptoms of a bad ignition switch. These include stalling issues, not starting, and no power to the radio or accessories.
How Your SC’s Ignition Switch Works
The SC’s ignition switch is not what your key goes into. That is called the lock cylinder. The ignition switch typically sits directly behind the lock cylinder. It has three main functions.
- Power the Accessories- This should be what you get when you turn the key to the first position. This allows you to use the power windows, radio, and any other accessory that is equipped in your Saturn SC.
- Ignition- This position activates your ignition system and the fuel pump. At this point fuel is pressurized at the fuel rails, and the engine is ready to fire the plugs when it turns over.
- Starter- This position cranks the starter.
Your ignition “rests” in the ignition position when your SC is running.
Common Bad Ignition Switch Symptoms: Saturn SC
Here are some of the most common symptoms of an ignition switch failing in your SC:
1. Stalling on the Road
The most noticeable symptom of a bad ignition switch is stalling. Your SC stalls because the faulty switch turns off the fuel pump or power to the ignition. When this happens, the engine will not be able to run until it gets that signal back.
2. Starts then Dies
If your Saturn SC is starting right up, but then immediately dies, that is a very good indication that the ignition switch is bad.
Here’s what happens. You aren’t getting power to the ignition or fuel pump while the key “rests” in the run position. But, you are getting it when the starter is engaged. So, you’ll hit the starter, everything has power. You release the key, and your SC immediately dies.
3. Won’t Start at All
A bad ignition switch can cause your SC not to start at all. And, it can keep your SC from starting in a couple of different ways.
The first is when the starter cranks, but the bad ignition switch doesn’t turn on the fuel pump or ignition. The engine will just turn over with no spark. The second way is when the starter doesn’t turn at all. This can be frustrating, because a starter that doesn’t turn over at all is usually caused by a bad battery or a bad starter.
4. Lack of Power to Accessories
The ignition switch is responsible for sending power to the accessories. So, if you find yourself in a situation where your SC runs, but nothing else in it works, it may be a bad ignition system causing your problems.
There are a few parts of the electrical system that work without the key at all for safety reasons, such as the headlights, brake lights, horn, and dome light.
Things such as the power windows (but not power locks), sunroof, radio, rear defrost, and climate control are all going to depend on the ignition switch for power. If several of them go bad at once, it’s time to test and see if the ignition switch is bad.
5. Battery Draining
The opposite of having the power not going to the accessories, fuel pump, ECM, and ignition is having them continue to get power even though the key has been turned to the off position.
Here’s a more detailed article on the SC battery draining if this is happening to you.
Conclusion: SC Faulty Ignition Switch
These were a few of the most common symptoms of a bad ignition switch in your Saturn SC. Keep in mind, they all involve some part of the vehicle not getting power or getting power when they shouldn’t be.
If there is anything that you would like to add, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading, and good luck!