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

GIL WOOLLEY

MEMBER
1998 SATURN SL2
67,250 MILES

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.

2 Replies

RASMATAZ

MECHANIC
75,992 POSTS

Check the coolant temperature sensor and idle air control valve to include fuel pressure check-

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Saturday, January 28th, 2012 AT 3:53 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
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.