Engine will not start

2008 SATURN OUTLOOK
150,000 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WILLROPER
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Car drove fine the night prior. The next morning the engine would start and shut off immediately. Now it won’t start at all. Code reader says idle control only.
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Mar 3, 2019 at 12:45 PM
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JDL
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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It appears you have tac/throttle actuator control. I'd check for trouble codes related to that system. To check codes, yourself, at the least you need an obd2 code reader that will work with your vehicle and read manufacturer specific codes as well as p0 codes. You might take an old tooth brush and clean throttle bore as well as throttle plate. Don't force the throttle plate. One of the modes for tac, will shut down tac motor--fuel injectors and ignition coil. The information is GM tac.
Mar 3, 2019 at 1:33 PM
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WILLROPER
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I will try it and get back with results.
Mar 3, 2019 at 5:55 PM
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JDL
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
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  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Let us know.
Mar 4, 2019 at 5:59 AM
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WILLROPER
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Went out to try to clean it and decided to try and crank it one more time. The car started up . White smoke came from the exhaust but it still running. Left it sitting for a few days until now
Mar 6, 2019 at 3:00 PM
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JDL
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The white smoke concerns me, are you losing coolant? Is the exhaust just what see on a cold day or is it something else?
Mar 7, 2019 at 9:17 AM
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WILLROPER
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It’s not losing anything that I know of. It was cold. My wife drove it to work and back with no problems. Then this morning it won’t start again. Starting to believe it is just because it’s low on gas and parked down hill. Lol
Mar 7, 2019 at 10:08 AM
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JDL
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You may be correct? Check out the link.
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-cranks-excessively-before-starting
Mar 7, 2019 at 12:27 PM
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WILLROPER
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Added five gallons of gas and it started.
Mar 7, 2019 at 12:47 PM
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JDL
  • ✓ASE Certified Mechanic
  • 16,098 POSTS
  • ASE Certified Mechanic
Good job.
Mar 7, 2019 at 1:06 PM
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