Hi, I'm hoping some one can help me. I have a 85 Saturn. About a week ago, it stopped running. I'd hear a clicking noise when turning the key. The radio, lights etc still all worked.

However it would start when jumped and be fine then not start again. I had the alternator cked and it was fine. The guy said the battery was ok for low charge but not for high charge. I bought a battery. Its started fine every since.
The problem now is, whenever I step on the brake the light on my radio and cigarette lighter dim. Also whenever I turn the car off to get out and open the door but press on the brake the car dings like its telling me the lights are left on or the keys are left in it..which neither is true. Thanks so much for any and all help.
Debbie

 

Debbie,

Is this a new problem with the car, or has it always done this?

I seriously doubt this is a DYI fix. Running down electrical snafus are even tough for the pros sometimes.

For my own two cars, I went to the library to run pages of photocopies out of the Mitchell's manuals (reference books can't be checked out)for my entire wiring schematics.

That is what *you* would have to do. This may not guarantee you the ability to fix your problem, but such schematics will show all the interconnections, the color coded wires, and logical places to start looking. For example: You may learn that your brake pedal is used as a switch to make sure you don't press the brake and drive away without fastening your seatbelt, for example, triggering off dinging sounds.

Often times electrical problems are caused by a hot circuit going to ground when it's not supposed to...or.having a poor ground connection....or, the failure of some switch or other part.

If you like to try to diagnose things, for the fun of it, and enjoy reading and trying to decipher things, take me up on my library suggestion.

 

as daveyboy suggested, you have a hot wire/relay going to ground, this not good, don't put it off and try to figure it out your self, go to the nearest saturn dealer (personally, i would disconnect the negitive side of the battery, and have it towed).
by the way, have you installed any thing such as a new sound system in the car? that could explain a lot. the reason i'm so wanting you to take care of this asap is there is a risk of fire and potential risk of loss of life, hurry. let us know what happened,you may be helping others.

barry

 

Thanks to you both for the advice. I'm sorry I did mean to mention that none of this with the lights dimming or the brake thing and the dinging started, till after I had the problem with the car not starting and the battery replaced.

Also at the same time I had the battery replaced, I had taken it in to have the tires rotated and balanced, a 3 step fuel induction service, they replaced the air filter and spark plugs. I'm not sure if any of this means anything or not but never had any problems till after the battery was replaced and all this other stuff was done.
Thanks again for your help its very appreciated.
Debbie

 

Sorry I forgot to add this, No I haven't had anything new put into the car, like a stereo or sound system.
Also Don't know what I was thinking but the Saturn is a 1996 not a 85. Thanks again. Debbie

 

When the battery gets disconnected, it is my understanding the car's computer gets altered. Something may have to be reset, somehow, someway. There is probably a "code" for what is beeping. But I'm not up on this computer business. But I just wanted to point out this possibility. This is realy the only thing that makes sense...other than a coincidence here there is actually a problem like brent and I have suggested.