Saturn Repair: Saturn L 200 wont start, saturn dealer, latter route

Question
Hi Chris,
I went out to start my car last Tues. and it turned over and sort of hiccuped and died.  Now it will almost turn over but not start (Battery seems fine) It is a 2000 with 122K miles.  It hasn't had a tune up but the oil is changed every 3K.  I have tried it a couple times since, in case I flooded it or whatever but no help.  I didn't see a fuse that would be the problem.  The computer is telling it not to start maybe?  But why?

Answer
Alison,
 More than likely as you are trying to start your vehicle, the "Security" light is blinking.  Check for that the next time that you attempt to start it.  In the 2000 L-series there could be a couple of problems causing this no-start. It will probably be either the BCM (Body Control Module) or the Passlock sensor (inside the ignition switch housing).  It could be both.  You could take it to the average repair shop, but they won't be able to diagnose it properly.  If you take it to your Saturn dealer, they will be able to fix it.  It might be more expensive (in the begining) to go the latter route, but I have seen too many people get burned by using their "local" mechanic.  Local mechanics, more often than not, are not able to read all the data inputs correctly.  I have seen people throw thousands of dollars down the drain trying to fix a problem like this, just because they didn't want to pay the extra two or three hundred it would cost at their Saturn facility.  I hope this helps.

Chris