1994 Saturn SL2 Intermittent Miss

1994 SATURN
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JRLEEK
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
I have a 1994 Saturn SL2 with 155.000 miles and an automatic transmission that recently started missing intermittently. It's been getting worse. To me, the symptoms are a bit unique. Basically, the car misses under load, accelerating or going up hills. (Which is, of course, when it's most annoying.) Anyway, it also misses idling in Drive at stop lights, but it doesn't miss if I put it in neutral. (ie, the engine runs smooth in neutral.)
If the car was carburetored I will think this was a vacuum leak, but I'm not sure with a fuel injection car, I'm new to them.
I also recently changed the spark plugs, so I don't think it's them. (The miss started well after I changed them though, so I don't think I screwed putting them in up either.) The spark wires also look good, but I haven't tested them. Does anyone know what my problem could be?

Thanks
Jim
Feb 16, 2006 at 2:42 PM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
You can still have vacuum leaks with fuel injection.

A miss that is predominant under load is usualy plugs, wires , or corrosion. Double check the pliugs and wires. Also remove the wires from the coils and clean the coil terminals. The coils and module also reguire a good ground. The mounting bolts and plate should also be corrosion free.

Good hunting and let us know. :)
Apr 4, 2006 at 2:20 PM
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Suggested Repair

Recheck the spark plugs and plug wires, clean the coil terminals, and remove corrosion so the coils and ignition module have a solid ground at the mounting bolts and plate. Also check for vacuum leaks, which can still occur on a fuel-injected engine.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1994 Saturn SL2 with 155,000 miles reports an intermittent miss under load, during acceleration, on hills, and while idling in Drive, though the engine runs smoothly in Neutral. The plugs were recently replaced and the wires look good but have not been tested. The expert says vacuum leaks can still occur with fuel injection and that a load-related miss is commonly caused by plugs, wires, or corrosion. Recommended checks are the plugs and wires, coil terminals, and clean grounds at the coil and module mounting bolts and plate.

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