1993 Saturn Dies After Starting

1993 SATURN
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APRILALLISON
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  • 1 POST
Our '93 Saturn will turn over and begin to fire, but then dies after one or two seconds. However, the fuel pump continues to whir for a few more seconds. I'm hoping it is just a clogged fuel filter, but need help interpreting the symptoms.
Feb 14, 2006 at 7:46 AM
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2CARPRO JACK
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 11,533 POSTS
That is normal pump operation. Need to do a fuel press check
Feb 14, 2006 at 9:28 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
[quote:d68fe9a2ff="AprilAllison"]Our '93 Saturn will turn over and begin to fire, but then dies after one or two seconds. However, the fuel pump continues to whir for a few more seconds. I'm hoping it is just a clogged fuel filter, but need help interpreting the symptoms.[/quote:d68fe9a2ff]

How many miles on your Satty?
Will it start and run or does it just try to start. If the fuel filter has never been changed that is a good thing to take care of even if it is not youir problem.

If it won't start the first thing to do is check for spark. Pull two plug wires off of 1 coil and watch for spark between the coil towers while a helper cranks the engine over.

Post back with results. :)
Peppermrj
Feb 15, 2006 at 1:17 AM
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AROLAND
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Sounds like a bad pump to me. The filter is rarely the problem. My pump on my '93 went out at 80,000 miles.
Feb 23, 2006 at 12:27 PM
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Suggested Repair

The brief fuel-pump whir after shutdown is normal. Check fuel pressure, test for spark between the coil towers while cranking, and replace the fuel filter if it has never been changed.

Conversation Summary

A 1993 Saturn cranks, begins to fire, then dies after one or two seconds while the fuel pump continues to whir briefly. Experts said that pump behavior is normal and recommended a fuel-pressure test, a spark check at the coil, and fuel-filter replacement if it has never been serviced. No test results or confirmed repair were posted.

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