Replaced the alternator in a 1998 sl Saturn and the car still will not turn on?

Answer 1

There are two basic philosophies when dealing with automotive repair:

1. throw parts at the problem. Eventually you'll have replaced EVERY COMPONENT OF THE VEHICLE, and it will HAVE to run.

2. Diagnose the symptoms and understand what every component contributes to the operation of the vehicle, isolate the problem to a single component, verify that the component has failed and ONLY replace the failed component.

If you don't understand why the vehicle failed in the first place, why did you think replacing the alternator would solve the problem?

A failed alternator, as the only failed component, will not prevent a vehicle from starting.

The alternator provides electrical current for TWO purposes. It replaces the electrical energy that was drawn from the battery LAST time the vehicle was started, and it provides electrical energy to operate the various electrical systems of the vehicle.

But the vehicle will continue to start, even with a failed alternator... UNTIL THE BATTERY CHARGE HAS BEEN DEPLETED!!!

The automotive battery is ONLY an electrical storage device. It's primary function (some would claim that it's ONLY function) is to provide enough electrical current to start the vehicle NEXT time you need to go somewhere.

If the alternator is no longer providing the electrical energy to charge the battery, there will eventually be no electrical energy available to start the engine, but if you store electrical energy in the battery again (charge the battery), the engine should start again, provided that nothing ELSE is wrong.

If you do not understand the operation of the engine, perhaps it would be best if you took your vehicle to a qualified mechanic.