1996 Saturn SL electrical problems

Filed Jan 30, 2016 · Electrical · 68,577 miles · FL

First problem is door chimes with key out of ignition. Second problem is dome light stays on in front or rear position with all doors shut. Third problem is no power at all to the cab when I tried to start car, and then my passenger opened and shut the passenger front door and the power came back on and I was able to start the car. I had to reset the clock and radio.

Filed May 14, 2014 · Electrical, Steering · 128,000 miles · MT

Tl* the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl. The contact stated that the ignition key was very difficult to turn when the contact attempted to start the vehicle. The contact also stated that the engine would not shut off when the key was in the ignition. The failure was recurring over a two year period. The vehicle was not taken to the dealer for diagnostic testing. The contact referenced the federal safety agency campaign number 14v047000 (air bags, electrical system), however, the vehicle was not included. The manufacturer was not notified of the failure. The approximate failure mileage was 128,000.

Filed Oct 24, 2011 · Electrical · MI

The horn does not work. When I looked up a recall this is what I found.: recall date:12-07-1998 units potentially affected:64,199 the federal safety agency campaign number:98v307000 defective part or component:communications:horn assembly description:vehicle description: passenger vehicles. These vehicles were produced or serviced with a horn assembly which could fail. The horn could either become inoperable or activate without the driver pressing the horn button. Under certain conditions, heat can build up within the assembly and an underhood fire could result. Dealers will replace the horn assembly. When I called the dealer cole gilmore in portage, michigan. I was told there is no recall for this vehicle for this problem.

Filed May 27, 2008 · Electrical · 85,000 miles · NJ

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl1. While driving the vehicle at various speeds, the horn activates without the driver pressing the horn button. As a consequence, in certain conditions, heat can build up within the assembly and an underhood fire could occur. The contact called the dealer and is waiting for an inspection. He is in the process of notifying the manufacturer. The VIN was unknown. The failure and current mileages were 85,000.

Filed Mar 19, 2008 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · NY

Tl*the contact owns a 1996 saturn sl2 sedan. On march 16, 2008, the horn started to blow without warning. The circuit breaker was disconnected to stop the horn from blowing. The national service center stated that the recall did not apply to the VIN; however, they later stated that they had no record of the recall. An independent mechanic replaced the horn. The mechanic stated that the motor in the horn was defective. The VIN, recall number, and engine size were unavailable. The current and failure mileages were 120,000.

Filed Mar 13, 2007 · Electrical · 50,000 miles · IL

1996 saturn sl2. Horn turns on by itself and won't turn off, had to unplug it. Have spoken to many people on the internet with the same problem, some of the people had the horn short out and cause a fire. I've almost been run off the road a few times because I couldn't honk the horn when someone was changing lanes and didn't see me. Very, very dangerous. Many people had to replace their horn more than 3 times.

Filed Apr 11, 2006 · Electrical · MA

Hi, I have a 1996 saturn with VIN number [xxx] and there is a recall the federal safety agency recall no. 98v307/ gm recall no. 98c01 that applies to saturns of my model built from july 1995 to february 1997. According to saturn the recall only applies to VIN number ranging from [xxx]to [xxx], which my vehicles does not fall. According to saturn, however, my vehicle was built 12/1995, which would be during this period. Since there is only one plant for which the car could have been built it is unclear how my VIN number does not apply. It seems to me that I may not be the only vehicle that fell through this crack. My horn is exhibiting the exact failure (horn sticking on) that the recall is for. Saturn has refused to pay for the repair of the problem. Do I have any recourse through the federal safety agency? Thanks. *jb updated 07/16/2012 *js information redacted pursuant to the freedom of information act (foia), 5 u.s.c. 552(b)(6)

Filed Oct 20, 2004 · Electrical · 120,000 miles · WI

Recall 98-v307. Saturn refuses to reimburse me for a repair that was outlined in this recall campaign due to the fact that my vehicle falls outside the VIN range. If you look at the recall documents, it shows vehicles all around my VIN but not my VIN. I had the two parts in question replaced 5/20/03 due to the fact that the exact same symptms described in the recall occured to my vehicle. The horn would sound with no one around. I finally had to disconnect the horn manually. I do not know exactly when it failed but I had it fixed on that date.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Electrical · LA

Horn assembly was replaced 3 times because the horn failed to function when engaged. There was recall 98v307000 on this issue but this model and year was not included.

Filed Aug 18, 2004 · Electrical · 128,000 miles · LA

I own a 1996 saturn sl1 that I purchased used in december of 2000. I have been having problems with my horn since I bought it. I have had to have it serviced twice and the horn is broken for a third time. I replaced a fuse in spring 2001, because it went out. In december of 2002 the horn went out again, so in may of 2003 had the dealer replace the entire horn assembly. This lasted until october of 2003 when my horn started going off wildly in the middle of the night, causing the local police to respond and give me a warning for a noise violation. In the state of louisiana I am required to have an operational horn to get my vehicle inspected, which is currently costing me an $66/year in replacement. This should not be considered regular maintenance. I was looking on the internet for parts to fix my horn again, when I came across a recall the federal safety agency: 98v‑307, gm recall: 98c301. This applies only to the sw models of the 1996 saturn line. Why does this only apply to this model? The equipment and the configuration are almost identical, and you would not believe how many people have had problems with this specific complaint.