Ask the Car People.SM


Saturn S-Series Maintenance and Repair

235 messages,  Last post on May 23, 2013 at 8:08 AM

You are in the Saturn S-Series Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn S-Series, Auto Repair, Sedan

Messages Page 17 of 24

#160 of 235 Re: Saturn 1997 SL1 ECTS [billja] by shopdog97

Dec 28, 2009 (1:22 pm)

Replying to: billja (Mar 09, 2009 6:24 am)
Hi, billja. I have a similar problem on my '96 SL-1. Over a year ago, I replaced the thermostat, flushed the cooling system and also did the Temperature sensor while I was at it. And yes, I got one from Autozone cheap. Almost immediately I had issues. The temp gauge went up to the halfway mark as soon as I started it, and the electric fan also started as well. The fan has only come on when I use the A/C in the summer, so I thought this was odd. I thought it was a fluke and let it go a few days. It was NO FLUKE! Good thing I kept the old sensor, and I put it back in and had no trouble for a long time till recently. One day about a month ago, I started the car(in cold weather here in Pa)and on came the fan. Now the car heated up quickly as it usually does, but the temp gauge barely moved. I got out and put my finger on the 2 wire connector on the sending unit, and the fan went off immediately and the gauge went up to its normal position and I had no problems. Now today, after it sat for about 4 days, the same thing is happening, and the cooling fan wants to run again! I have a feeling I have a bad connector issue here, not so much a sensor. I remember I had trouble getting that plastic thing off the sensor, and it did come off hard last year. I called my local Saturn dealer and it seemed to me that he knew there was an issue with these connectors and they have them in stock for about $25. I will probably go pick one up, but I'm wondering if I should get a new sensor while I'm at it. I wonder if the one for the '96 and '97 are different? What does ECTS stand for? Is it Electronically controlled Temperature Sensor? I may not get around to do this until spring!!

#161 of 235 Re: 97 saturn [442dude] by shopdog97

Dec 28, 2009 (1:34 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (Mar 09, 2009 6:59 pm)
I had a similar EGR issue with my '96 SL-1 over a year ago. I didn't have an OBD2 scanner then(I do now) and the engine light kept coming on. My former boss at the time used to buy Saturns and fix them up and sell them. He said they were great cars. I've had mine for nearly 3 years now. He read the code at the time and it was an EGR problem, and he said he just might have a couple of them in his garage at home. He still had a large number of parts, he told me. So he brought 2 of them in and I took them home and the next day put one in, using a new gasket, then we cleared the code. All was well for a couple of days, then the same code again. Put the second one in and maybe a week later, the same thing. So BOTH of the used ones were duds. Autozone wanted $150 for a new one, and Saturn was even higher than that. So I got one from a salvage yard not very far from me. This yard specializes in Saturns. For 40 bucks, I got one that was so clean it looked like it came from an auto parts shelf. Been in ever since, and I have had no recurring issues with it. Just thought I'd share this with you. Happy New Year to all!

#162 of 235 Coolant Temperature sensor issue-Update by shopdog97

Jan 06, 2010 (1:32 pm)

Hi, everyone, I just wanted to post an update on the problem I was having(see above) regarding what I thought was a faulty coolant temp sensor. Today, as cold as it is here, I set out to get to the bottom of the issue. I went to NAPA and bought a new sensor, but on the way home I decided to stop at my local salvage yard and see if I could get another 2 wire connector there instead of having to get one from the dealer. I got lucky and they had one. Came home, replaced the sensor, but put the OLD connector on and started the engine. SAME THING HAPPENED- on came the fan, and my temp gauge went right to halfway! So, in my case, the problem was definately with the connector. I cut off the original one and spliced in the one from the salvage yard, and I am fine!! The car started up with no fan on, came up to temp nicely and all seems well. Probably didn't need the new sensor, but I gambled and it was only $11.50. If any of you have this issue in the future, you may want to replace the connector first and go from there.

#163 of 235 Applique Part number 21170740 by diane35

Feb 15, 2010 (2:35 pm)

I want to replace the Applique on doors of our Saturn SE. The paint is worn off and makes the car look older. The part is on the exterior of the passenger door and dirivers side door (entry side) I have the replacement parts so the part should come off. Do I have to remove the entire door. I can send a pic if needed..The dealership was no help. I have asked this question to the Edmunds experts iand the question is still open.
Diane35

#164 of 235 Re: Applique Part number 21170740 [diane35] by togfleon2003

Feb 15, 2010 (2:48 pm)

Replying to: diane35 (Feb 15, 2010 2:35 pm)
drive that car until it falls apart then haul to the junk yard.asap!!!!!!!!!junk car

#165 of 235 Re: Saturn 1997 SL1 ECTS [shopdog97] by 442dude

Feb 16, 2010 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: shopdog97 (Dec 28, 2009 1:22 pm)
You should replace the connector with the ECTS - the connectors go bad when the sensors go bad.
 
ECTS= Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor

#166 of 235 transmission by rbillieuxsr

Mar 25, 2010 (7:24 pm)

Where is drain plug located?bob billieux

#167 of 235 Re: transmission [rbillieuxsr] by togfleon2003

Mar 25, 2010 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: rbillieuxsr (Mar 25, 2010 7:24 pm)
you have to take pan off

#168 of 235 Re: SL1 with stumbling and loss of power [442dude] by togfleon2003

Mar 25, 2010 (7:37 pm)

Replying to: 442dude (Nov 05, 2008 4:05 pm)
these cars are junk trade it in as fast as you can ,before you do what i did.500.00 a month in repairs,then i traded it in .junk i tell you

#169 of 235 transmission-saturn by rbillieuxsr

Mar 25, 2010 (10:24 pm)

What would make it leak all of a sudden? I just had a new water pump installed at Firestone and radiator was previously leaking stopped with Bars sealer-started again after flush -put more in -stopped now transmission started to leak-suspucious.Filter ok-dripping on pan?

Messages Page 17 of 24

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