1999 Saturn Sl

TL*THE CONTACT OWNS A 1999 SATURN SL2. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE PASSENGER SIDE REAR BRAKE LIGHT DOES NOT FUNCTION PROPERLY. SHE HAS REPLACED THE FUSE AND BOLTS SEVERAL TIMES, BUT THE LIGHT CONTINUES TO EXPERIENCE SHORTAGES. THE CONTACT FELT THAT THE FAILURE WAS SIMILAR TO NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER 05V245000 (EXTERIOR LIGHTING: BRAKE LIGHTS). THE POWERTRAIN WAS UNKNOWN. THE CURRENT MILEAGE WAS 137,000 AND FAILURE MILEAGE WAS 90,000.

I OWN AND OPERATE TWO 1999 SATURN MODELS LS1 VEHICLES AT AAA DRIVING SCHOOL. THEY ARE USED FOR TEACHING BEHIND-THE- HEEL DRIVING INSTRUCTION. BOTH INSTRUCTORS, SEVERAL STUDENTS AND MYSELF HAVE EXPERIENCED DIFFICULTY WITH THE TURN SIGNAL/HEADLIGHT SWITCH COMBINATION, ESPECIALLY AT NIGHT WITH THE HEADLIGHTS OPERATING. THE HEADLIGHT ON/OFF SWITCH IS LOCATED ON THE END OF THE TURN SIGNAL ARM. TO TURN IT ON THE OPERATOR MUST TURN IT COUNTER CLOCKWISE THROUGH TWO POSITIONS. THIS HEADLIGHT SWITCH HAS VERY LITTLE TENSION, REQUIRING NOTHING MORE THAN A LIGHT "FLICK" COUNTERCLOCKWISE TO TURN ON. THE TURN SIGNAL HOWEVER, IS ANOTHER STORY. IT REQUIRES APPROXIMATELY 2-4 LBS. OF PRESSURE TO ENGAGE. THE ARM OF THE TURN SIGNAL IS ALSO VERY SHORT IN COMPARISON TO OTHER VEHICLES WITH THE SAME SIZE STEERING WHEEL. APPROXIMATELY 1 1/2 INCHES SHORTER THAN OTHER TURN SIGNAL ARMS IN COMPARABLE VEHICLES. THIS "SHORTNESS" REQUIRES THE OPERATOR TO REMOVE THE LEFT HAND FROM THE WHEEL, GRASP AND PULL DOWN OR PUSH UP. (UNLESS THEY HAVE LONGER THAN NORMAL FINGERS) AT NIGHT, WHEN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH IS IN THE "ON" POSITION AND THE OPERATOR/DRIVER REMOVES HAND FROM WHEEL TO ENGAGE THE LEFT TURN SIGNAL, THEY INADVERTANTLY TURN OFF THE HEADLIGHTS. THIS IS VERY UNSAFE. ALSO REQUIRING AN OPERATOR/DRIVER TO REMOVE ONE HAND FROM THE STEERING WHEEL TO ENGAGE/DISENGAGE THE TURN SIGNAL WHICH IS DONE WHEN CHANGING LANES IS ALSO VERY DANGEROUS. THE POUNDS OF PRESSURE REQUIRED IS EXCESSIVE IN BOTH ENGAGE/DISENGAGE FUNCTIONS OF THE TURN SIGNAL RELATIVE TO THE AMOUNT OF PRESSURE REQUIRED TO TURN THE HEADLIGHT SWITCH ON OR OFF. COMPLAINTS TO THE SATURN DEALER AND FACTORY HAVE BEEN UNANSWERED. IN LAS VEGAS, WITH ITS BRIGHTLY LIT STREETS IT IS QUITE COMMON TO SEE A SATURN BEING DRIVEN WITHOUT HEADLIGHTS OR TAIL LIGHTS ON. SO, I AM NOT THE ONLY ONE EXPERIENCING THE PROBLEM. *AK