Ask the Car People.SM


Saturn Vue Maintenance and Repair

331 messages,  Last post on Jun 03, 2013 at 6:39 PM

You are in the Saturn VUE Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, Saturn VUE Red Line, SUV

    
 
Go to NHTSA to file a safety complaint.
 
Or call Monday-Friday (8 am to 8 pm ET) (888) 327-4236 TTY: (800)424-9153

Messages Page 29 of 34

#279 of 331 Re: Throttle Actuator Control System [elderrita] by 442dude

Jan 03, 2012 (6:31 pm)

Replying to: elderrita (Jan 03, 2012 3:31 pm)
This means that your engine computer is trying to figure out where the throttle should be at idle. The Vue uses a "fly by wire" throttle control meaning that there is no throttle cable going from the gas pedal in the car to the throttle. Thee is a position sensor on your gas pedal...as you depress it it sends a corresponding signal to the engine computer to tell the throttle motor where to move to so the engine responds to how far you pushed the gas pedal down. There is also a position sensor on the throttle under the hood to tell the computer where it is positioned at any given time to make sure that it corresponds with how far you have pushed down the gas pedal.
 
There are 2 likely repair scenarios:
 
 1. The throttle body needs to be replaced as the position sensor or motor are having a problem managing the position of the throttle. I don't know about the cost of this repair but I would bet it will be around $ 500.
 
 2. The throttle body needs to be cleaned as it is binding as it calibrated itself...if you've never had this done or done it yourself after 125K miles, it could be the cheap fix you're hoping for. Its amazing the amount of gunk that will build up on it, especially if you're not changing your air filter regularly. I would try this one first as its as cheap as a can of cleaner from your auto parts store.
 
Even if you decide to have your mechanic or a dealer look at it, this shouldn't be a complicated problem to diagnose and repair and you'll be back on the road in no time!
 
Best of Luck!

#281 of 331 2009 Vue Stabilitrak and Traction Control problem by opticsnake

Jan 18, 2012 (6:30 pm)

Woke up the other day to find that Traction Control and Stabilitrak were off and the lights for both were on along with the light for ABS. Had messages to service both as well.
 
After hours of searching our local NAPA repair shop determined that something was shorted out. Hooking up a laptop and taking it out on the road showed that nothing was coming back from the left rear.
 
It turns out that there was a wire that was corroded and shorting out. According to the shop this was in wiring harness #408. Hopefully this will save someone else the extra hours at the shop!
 
Additionally, I was the 3rd owner and mileage is right around 70K.

#282 of 331 05 Saturn VUE getting lower gas mileage by nurse0973

Jan 21, 2012 (7:49 pm)

Hi! My 2005 Saturn VUE seems like almost overnight it has lost about 1/2 the gas mileage that i used to get. A tank of gas used to get me between 300 and 350 mpg depending on what time of year it was. All of a sudden I'm lucky to get 200 miles to a tank. I just put in $30 of gas and the car only went around 125 miles. I had both air filters checked and they were clean. A mechanic friend hooked it up to a computer, but he said it wouldn't read the Saturn's onboard computer. So he told me the computer was bad. I have also heard that it could be the fuel filter, fuel pump, and or catalytic converter. Any ideas? I owned a 2005 Saturn VUE previously and never had any problems with it. Thanks in advance for any ideas!

#283 of 331 Re: 05 Saturn VUE getting lower gas mileage [nurse0973] by 442dude

Jan 21, 2012 (8:55 pm)

Replying to: nurse0973 (Jan 21, 2012 7:49 pm)
Could your computer be bad? Yes...is it likely...IMHO...No
 
Your mechanic friend can't read all of the codes in the computer because he is likely not using a GM Tech 2 scanner...only the generic OBD codes can be read by the aftermarket scanners...
 
The Vue can set trouble codes that an aftermarket scanner can not read...you don't mention which engine your Vue has, they each have their own quirks. Its also helpful to know how many miles it has as there are certain parts that tend to wear out with a certain amount of mileage.
 
You need to find a mechanic with a Tech 2 scanner to really see what is going on with your Vue...either at a dealer or qualified private mechanic. If I was betting I would bet that you have an oxygen sensor that needs to be replaced or perhaps a catalytic converter going bad - they get clogged and don't allow the car to breathe properly thus causing your MPGs to go down.
 
The Vue has a VERY complex computer control system...let someone familiar with it check it out.
 
Best of Luck

#284 of 331 Re: 05 Saturn VUE getting lower gas mileage [nurse0973] by gr82balive

Jan 22, 2012 (8:42 pm)

Replying to: nurse0973 (Jan 21, 2012 7:49 pm)
I have the same exact problem with my 03'Saturn Vue. One new transmission, a rebuild transfer case, a tune-up and a few other parts later I have gone from between 300-350 to about 215 mpg's. Pretty upset about it after all the money I put in (about $6,000) and the fact that the problem did not exist until immediately after the new tranny. Took it to another, yes ANOTHER, "qualified" GM dealership who stated that I need a new clutch drum in my rear differential (about $1,000) because it is grinding and causing too much drag thereby forcing my engine to work harder and use more gas. I asked him why the car is not shifting correctly (the car is supposed to shift smoothly so you can't feel it, I still can't feel it shift only now I have no power at take off and the odometer will tack at 3-4 before shifting to the next gear) he had no answer for this. Not having any more available money to dump into this piece of crap I haven't had it fixed yet. This vehicle is a financial drain. As I said before if I weren't making payments on it I would have scrapped it for metal when the tranny went out. Which by the way after speaking with a rep for GM I do not qualify for ANY reimbursement what-so-ever for. GM rep was EXTREMELY rude, useless and his speech regarding the VTI trannies was very scripted. I absolutely will not purchase another Saturn or GM vehicle and have already swayed several others against their future car purchases since they have first hand witnessed what I am going through with this one. I am a part of the class action law suit against GM for the VTI trannies and will continue to fight with Lakin Law for it as long as it takes. Even if the outcome of the lawsuit is not fruitfull I will continue to do everything possible to discourage everyone from purchasing GM/Saturn vehicles. Look at http://www.lakinlaw.com/CM/ClassAction/ClassAction55.asp
for further information regarding this class action law suit if anyone is interested or feel that they may also be able to be involved.
If you happen to figure out what is up with your gas mileage would you let me know? I would really appreciate it. I have gotten a total of 5 repair shops (2 of which were certified GM with a Saturn specialist) look at the hunk of junk and I have yet to have any 2 of the shops agree with what is wrong with it.
Thanks a bunch
from "one pissed of Saturn owner"
 

#285 of 331 Re: 05 Saturn VUE getting lower gas mileage [442dude] by nurse0973

Jan 23, 2012 (12:25 am)

Replying to: 442dude (Jan 21, 2012 8:55 pm)
442dude,
 
Thanks for your advice. I don't know how many types of engines that saturn was available in, but mine is one that used a Honda engine that year and V6 / AWD. It has about 107K miles on it. I am the second owner. Bought it at 99K miles.
 
Will an authorized GM dealer hook it up to the computer you suggest as a diagnostic for free? I hope so.
 
Thank you!!

#286 of 331 Re: 05 Saturn VUE getting lower gas mileage [nurse0973] by gmcustsvcsarah

Jan 23, 2012 (9:25 am)

Replying to: nurse0973 (Jan 23, 2012 12:25 am)
As you're vehicle is out of the factory warranties, there will likely be a diagnostic fee involved. When is your appointment?
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#287 of 331 Re: 05 Saturn VUE getting lower gas mileage [nurse0973] by 442dude

Jan 23, 2012 (3:24 pm)

Replying to: nurse0973 (Jan 23, 2012 12:25 am)
Hi - As the lady from GM said, yes, it is likely that they will charge you a fee just to hook it up to the scanner...
 
On the up side...the Honda V6 has been a VERY reliable drivetrain in the Vue and if taken care of will easily get you many more trouble free miles once you get past this. There's no reason you won't make it to 200,000 miles and more...
 
Talk to friends and check on the web to find a local dealer that you can trust...you will likely pay a little more but they are most familiar with your Vue.
 
Best of Luck!!!!

#288 of 331 Re: Saturn Vue hesitation [mdav461] by macgirl

Feb 20, 2012 (1:44 pm)

Replying to: mdav461 (Oct 20, 2007 12:34 am)
I also have a 2003 Vue with manual transmission. The good news is that I have gotten my money's worth with 224,000 miles on it with no major issues until now. My issue seems to happen randomly. I get no lights, no indicators, and it is throwing no engine codes for the mechanic. It will start losing acceleration, lose vacuum tightening the brakes, and the computer parameters (when plugged in during it happening) shows the car "thinks" it is out of gas when it isn't. We have cleaned all the contacts leading to the computer, replaced the gas pedal with potentiometer, checked the wiring harness, and have now ordered a new throttle body. I am getting quite nervous since I drive on high speed roads almost everywhere I go and have a child in the back seat. Did you ever get any answers?

Messages Page 29 of 34

To POST a message, please Sign In.

Advertisement

Browse by Category

Browse by Vehicle
   View All Vehicles

Browse by Board
Browse by Topic
View All Topics

Edmunds Community

Advertisement