2001 Saturn S Series...kinda wants to start, but can't make up its mind

[karesm]

This morning when I tried to start the 2001 Saturn, it would turn over but then die. Tried several times to start it and then gave it some gas. The gas made it go-go, but then it started to die again while backing out of the driveway.

I read a lot about the CPS in this year having trouble, but it WILL run, just not well.

So a bit ago, I went out and tried again. This time I turned the key and listened to hear the fuel pump priming. Sounded good. Went to turn it over...turned over, gave it a touch o'gas and it ran okay. Held my breath a bit then backed out of the drive and moved it to the back of the house so it's not blocking my other car. No lights were on while I did this, but this morning, all the lights were coming on when it died.

After reparking, while still running, I noticed the rpms fluctuating a bit (maybe 100 rpm flux while parked). Tried to start it again to see if it would go on its own, but got the same thing as this morning.

Does anyone have any ideas? I have a buyer interested in this car, and I need to take care of this pronto!!

 

[Vette73]

Hard to say.

Try resetting the computer by disconnecting the negative terminal co the battery and wait 1 minute. Then reconnect and try again.


Could be anything but hard to say without an engine code or it not running at all.

 

[karesm]

Yeah, I thought it would be easier to figure out if it just wouldn't run at all. My husband (who's at work) suggested the air filter might be clogged. That sounds suspect to me.

I'll have him reset it when he gets home. I'm currently playing the role of helpless female.

 

[LTC8K6]

Coolant temp sensor or idle control valve?

 

[karesm]

How would I check for those problems?

 

[Possessed Freak]

www.saturnfans.com

Wealth of information there.

 

[kornphlake]

It sounds like an old fashioned vacuum leak to me. There should be a diagram under the hood that roughly represents the vacuum system. Check as many of the lines as you can for visual damage, particularly where the hoses go onto a connector.

It sounds like the car hasn't been driven much, if it's sat for a while it may help to start the car with the throttle tipped open and let it run for a few minutes at say 2000 RPM just to get all the fluids moving.

On a 2001 the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor shouldn't be a problem, it should have the brass ECTS from the factory which is unlikely to fail, earlier models had a composite tip sensor that was known to fail, but it was corrected in '98 or '99 I believe. Idle air control valve might be a problem, the valve can get plugged with carbon and causes some problems, you'd have to remove the throttle body and inspect the passages as well as removing the valve to inspect the pintle to be sure.

 

[karesm]

Thanks for all the help. It's been driven but not on the highway for a long while until recently. We've put, maybe 400 hwy miles on it with no problem.

I did get it to start once this afternoon without having to give it gas, but only once.

:'(

 

[Kaervak]

It sounds like an old fashioned vacuum leak to me. There should be a diagram under the hood that roughly represents the vacuum system. Check as many of the lines as you can for visual damage, particularly where the hoses go onto a connector.

It sounds like the car hasn't been driven much, if it's sat for a while it may help to start the car with the throttle tipped open and let it run for a few minutes at say 2000 RPM just to get all the fluids moving.

On a 2001 the Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor shouldn't be a problem, it should have the brass ECTS from the factory which is unlikely to fail, earlier models had a composite tip sensor that was known to fail, but it was corrected in '98 or '99 I believe. Idle air control valve might be a problem, the valve can get plugged with carbon and causes some problems, you'd have to remove the throttle body and inspect the passages as well as removing the valve to inspect the pintle to be sure.

Midway through 2001 is when it was changed over to the brass one. It's a cheap part and easy to replace and causes a lot of goofy problems. Give that a shot first and see what happens.

 

[slashbinslashbash]

First thought, yes, the ECTS. 2nd, Idle Air Control Valve. 3rd, EGR Valve.

Zeroeth thought, Saturnfans.com forums.

 

[CraigRT]

You are definitely on the wrong forum.

For sure sign up on saturnfans.com and check S-series tech. There is a ton of info there.

I am guessing IACV (Idle air control valve) which I honestly don't recommend you try to tackle cleaning or repairing on your own. If you go to S-series tech and put in IACV for the search you should find some info on it though.

 

[karesm]

Well, I changed out the ECTS. Visually, the old sensor appeared to be the newer version so I wasn't sure it would work. Reset the computer, started it up and no more problem, so hopefully that will take care of it forever and ever.

Thanks for your help, all.

 

[Viperoni]

Well, I changed out the ECTS. Visually, the old sensor appeared to be the newer version so I wasn't sure it would work. Reset the computer, started it up and no more problem, so hopefully that will take care of it forever and ever.

Thanks for your help, all.

Common problem with S series saturns.

 

[Vetterin]

Did you get gas recently? Sounds to me like water in the gas or clogged fuel filter. FWIW, my daughter still has my 02 SL2 with 120K and it still runs like a top.