1998 SL2 1-3 times per day very hard to start.

1998 SATURN SL2
67,250 MILES
Avatar
GIL WOOLLEY
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
1998 SL2 Automatic 60,000 miles 1-2 times per day very hard to start. Starter motor spins engine rapidly but only 1-2 cylinders fire. Finally will start up and will pick up on all cylinders. starts, greyish smoke, not really either oil or gasoline color. Then it will idle and run fine. No check engine light after it starts.

Occasionally will almost completely stall after stopping at a light or stop sign. Getting worse. 1-3 times per day. Most of the time accelerates normally from stopped. Acts like a carburated car with bad accelerator pump. No check engine light after the engine is running. Stalls only occasionally. The rest of the time it accelerates normally.

Replaced battery about a month ago. At that time, it idled way too fast. You folks then suggested disconnect the battery and reconnect. That worked. The idle has been normal since then.
Jan 28, 2012 at 3:41 AM
Advertisement
Avatar
RASMATAZ
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 75,992 POSTS
Check the coolant temperature sensor and idle air control valve to include fuel pressure check-
Jan 28, 2012 at 3:53 AM
Avatar
SATURNTECH9
  • CERTIFIED EXPERT
  • 30,869 POSTS
Just to add to this one i would replace the coolant temp sensor really common for them to fail on that car.Also inspect the inside of the connector to the coolant temp sensor if the terminals.are blue or green instead of silver replace the connector also.
Jan 28, 2012 at 8:37 AM
Advertisement