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Saturn SL Engine Management

20 messages,  Last post on Dec 20, 2009 at 3:08 PM

You are in the Speed Shop Tuning and Modification Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn S-Series, Performance Mods, Sedan

Messages Page 2 of 3

#5 of 20 Auto Window Switch / Check Engine Soon Light by rockwilder194

Sep 27, 2006 (8:24 pm)

I bought a 2000 Saturn SL2 about 3 weeks ago. So far I have replaced the motors and switches for 2 of the 4 windows. And, the driver's window still does not work properly. Now, I am being told that the new switch has probably shorted out. The repair man told me that the motor for this window is still good but, the switch has gone out again. Is that possible?
In addition to the above the check engine soon light is on and I am wondering if I should attempt to correct this myself of take to the local Saturn dealer? And if anyone knows where I might find a free download on do-it yourself Saturn repairs. Please let me know! All comments appreciated! :confused: ">

#6 of 20 Saturn SL2 coolant/engine troubles by cemincer

Sep 28, 2006 (3:14 pm)

I've owned a 97 Saturn SL2 for 6 years now and haven't had any major problems until recently. It started out that if I sat at a drive-thru the car would overheat - I then learned that the fan wasn't kicking on when the engine got to hot which caused this. That was fixed and the car still overheats, in fact just the other day coolant came pouring out the front after having left running for 7 min. Also, the tempurature gauge is always below the "C" but everything else works fine on the dashboard. Would this be a blown head gasket or just a radiator problem. Also, oil is collecting in the first cylinder causing it to not start correctly. Any ideas????

#7 of 20 Re: Saturn SL2 coolant/engine troubles [cemincer] by paulorlo

Sep 30, 2006 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: cemincer (Sep 28, 2006 3:14 pm)
I own A 1997 Saturn SL. With the temperature gauge below "C" after the car has been running/ is the service engine soon light on? I would first suspect a bad Coolant temperature sensor. Engine overheating can be caused by a plugged radiator/stuck thermostat/ serpentine belt not turning water pump/ or coolant temperature sensor bad . That is why I asked about the SES light being on. If it is always reading below "C" it is sending a cold engine condition to the cars PCM (computer) which regulates the air/fuel mixture going to the motor. On cold starts the mixture is rich with gas, but changes as the motor warms up and that sensor is responsible for telling the PCM that information. Let me know if this helps

#8 of 20 Re: Auto Window Switch / Check Engine Soon Light [rockwilder194] by paulorlo

Sep 30, 2006 (1:41 pm)

Replying to: rockwilder194 (Sep 27, 2006 8:24 pm)
Many auto parts stores like Advanced Auto/ Auto Zone etc, will read the error codes off your PCM for free. A Saturn Dealer was charging me $41, but they also check that part that the error code suggests is faulty to see if it is indeed responsible for the error code. I would suggest buying a repair manual at the same time you have your error codes read. I own a 1997 Saturn SL and I purchased a Haynes repair manual from Advanced Auto. They use an OBDII hand held scanner. If Saturn has not improved their product since I purchase mine, that SES light will be going off again and again, as one part or another either looses it't ground due to corrosion, sticks due to cabon deposits, or wears out. Let me know if this has helped.

#9 of 20 also by paulorlo

Sep 30, 2006 (2:07 pm)

There is a web site called Saturn Forum/ for Saturn enthusiasts. It is very helpful because it categorizes the different Saturn cars and it is all about car problems and finding resolutions to the problems. Just reading the conversations gave me the above information.

#10 of 20 bdotson by bdotson

Dec 20, 2006 (4:20 am)

hello..
I am working on 1998 saturn s series 4dr auto w air...I just replaced the trans which had serious transaxel damage.Broken case.... pinion gears came through case ect...I thought that damage was due to abuse from young driver.However I replaced transmission(used)Previous trans I had rebuilt.I had had problems with the nut on the hub for clutch pack backing off.The donor trans worked fine for about 3-4blocks...shifted fine thru gears..then check engine light appeared...car abrubtly shifted into 1st gear and would not shift out of 1st..no slipage but no shift...took home and placed on scanner..got codes for for improper gear ratios.I cleared codes and test drove agian..with same reasuts(shifted fine at first then down shift agian...then would not shift i cleared codes agian ...same results the book for what trans will work call for 95 thru 02 I took trans from 96 The symptoms made me think that the origional damage may not of been thru young driver abuse but from pcm being faulty and car shifting to low gear all at once at a good rate of speed.I replaced the pcm from the car trans came from and trans worked fine shifting gears and all...however the car ran rough and low fuel light stayed on and gas gauge would not work.I did more research and found that only pcm from 1998 would work,which i purchased and installed.which upon testing agian made the car do the same thing agian...after this i replaced all of the selonoids ,valvebody all the sensors all electronics on the trans...trans still will not shift has anyone got a clue as to what may be the problem ????...I am goin nuts!!!!Is it possible that i got a bad pcm???

#11 of 20 Re: bdotson [bdotson] by bdotson

Dec 21, 2006 (8:43 pm)

Replying to: bdotson (Dec 20, 2006 4:20 am)
Found cause of problem.....trans 95-02 will work ...problem is that they make 2 models for each year one for single overhead cam one for double.Thats why when I used the pcm from the doner car that the trans shifted and worked but the engine ran rough because pcm was sending info for single overhead engine!Feel so stupid but learned valuable lesson for future.Also that the pcms for saturn still need to be flashed,when changing them.I thought that I would leave this info in case any one else encounters this problem....Cause it sure had me baffled.
                           Beasley

#12 of 20 Re: Saturn SL2 coolant/engine troubles [paulorlo] by hoodlatch

Apr 23, 2007 (9:42 am)

Replying to: paulorlo (Sep 30, 2006 1:13 pm)
My daughter's SC1 was over heating. After trouble shooting, I found it was a faulty temperature sending unit causing the problem. As it turns out the factory sending unit has the probe made of plastic which was cracked thus giving a false reading.

#13 of 20 Re: Auto Window Switch / Check Engine Soon Light [paulorlo] by minicoopers

Jul 23, 2007 (9:13 pm)

Replying to: paulorlo (Sep 30, 2006 1:41 pm)
Or, you can get the free little Autozone booklet "What It Means When Your Check Engine Light Comes On" and the free "key" to insert in your diagnostic connector and do it yourself.

#14 of 20 1995 Saturn SL 2 Auto Transmission Problem by danny1954

Sep 18, 2007 (4:51 am)

Messages Page 2 of 3

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