Died doing 70, now cranks but will not start

Tiny
ATWITSEND
  • MEMBER
  • 1999 SATURN SL2
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
Car died completely while on the interstate doing 70mph. It cranks but WILL NOT start! Gauges on dash froze where they were when it died (speedometer 70mph-RPMs 2800) except the fuel gauge, it went to Empty. Through process of elimination we've Car died completely while on the interstate doing 70mph. It cranks but WILL NOT start! Gauges on dash froze where they were when it died (speedometer 70mph-RPMs 2800) except the fuel gauge, it went to Empty. Through process of elimination we've replaced the CPS, fuel filter and air filter. It did run hot the night before and reservoir was quite low so a friend
Thursday, April 3rd, 2014 AT 10:49 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So with the key off the gauges read those readings?I have never seen both those gauges suddenly freeze. So do you have spark? Also what is your actual fuel pressure? Lets start with those two.
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Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 6:20 AM
Tiny
ATWITSEND
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After rereading my original post i'm so glad you could make some sense out of my crazy mess. I do apologize!
Yes, the gauges are in the same position. *I have seen this happen before once, when the timing belt broke. The exact same things happened but after replacing belt it was good to go. I'm told there is no spark and there's no fuel pressure. I have someone coming to actually test these things here in a little bit. Grrr. I don't get good progress from the person looking at my car-because he doesn't want to be doing it in the first place! :(
I just went out and took a shot at testing the fuel relay. Lol but gather a lil more info that might help. It just dawned on me that nothing on the dash is working! (I.E. Error lights- the check engine, brake, temp and service engine) Other things: *Headlights work *Radio does not *rear defrost does not*A/C vents work*Wind shield wipers do not* the cigarette lighter works
It has been almost a week since this happened! Ty!
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Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 7:54 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That engine doesnt have a timing belt it has a timing chain. Also have you checked the fuses under the hood especially the large maxi fuses?If memory serves right the 30 amp maxi fuse labeled ign feeds power to the dash lights ignition switch etc. Let me know what you find?Also do you have s stick shift or automatic transmission?
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Friday, April 4th, 2014 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
ATWITSEND
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Instead of timing belt I meant serpentine belt. My car is an automatic (1999 SL2). This is what was done yesterday morning to my car: Fuses under hood were checked. 1-30amp green fuse was replaced. 1-red fuse was replaced. Battery was disconnected for approx 5 mins. A few fuses in instrument panel junction block were replaced. I was told if I have this problem again to replace PCM1, PCM B & along that line. The fuel relay & hvac were switched.
Okay, yesterday afternoon the car STARTED! When I was told all seemed fixed/solved. However, my dad#2 & I wanted to run it to see. Well, the door chime worked automatically & never really has since my Dad#1 passed & I got the car. THEN, it did the same as before & wouldn't start. After, taking the key in & out a few times it started BUT when putting it in drive it died-it did it a couple times. After a lil more patience, it did start & stayed running! We took it probably 20 miles getting up to 60-70. So, far so good. In the last yr this car has been "through it"! Here goes, it was stolen-column destroyed-head lights were hard wiring-gear shift lock was broken-so the brake doesn't need to be pressed to get out of park-I started car w/a screw driver til about 2 months ago when I replaced the whole steering column-I had already ordered the column when I dropped my girls off at school and suddenly the car didn't want to go until I got up to about 40mph. I put some transmission fluid in. About 15 mins later, it died turning a corner w/gauges ticking, going crazy & car wouldn't start-column was replaced-my blinkers don't work, the guy said those wires had burned & were melted-he did give me a key w/column, which he says usually doesn't come w/a key-this key works BUT each time the key is turned back it HAS to be taken completely out of ignition and put back in order to work!
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Saturday, April 5th, 2014 AT 7:51 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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  • 30,869 POSTS
The wires burning was a bad ignition switch the key in the ignition chime circuit shorts to power causing the wires to burn. As far as the key issue you could have a bad ignition cylinder. Is it a automatic or manual transmission?
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Saturday, April 5th, 2014 AT 8:22 PM

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