1992 Saturn SL1 High Idle Hard Start

SATURN
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GROENBECK
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  • 1 POST
I have a 1992 Saturn SL1, manual transmission, with 225,000 miles on it. When I try to start it every morning it won't stay started unless I keep my foot on the accelerator until the car is warmed up. When I drive it runs at a normal idle, but after driving it for a while the idle automatically goes up to 3000 to 4000 RPM's. The only way to get it to stop doing that is to shut the car off and let it sit for about 5 minutes. When I go to start it up again it won't stay started unless I hold my foot on the accelerator again until it warms up. I can smell these nasty fumes (not rotten egg smell) when I am sitting at an idle and I only get 150 miles per tank of gas (10 gallons of fuel). The tailpipe also leaves black marks on the ground when it is running idle in one position. I have replaced the spark plugs and fuel filter already. Please if you can give me an idea of what can be wrong, let me know.
Jan 10, 2006 at 11:51 AM
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BRONCOBETTY
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[b:5dfa546cd3]Hi, I have a 92 saturn also, been parked for 4 months, clutchis out I think...but back to your problem, my Ford Bronco was blowing black smoke and had that exact same problem as your saturn....and I was told black smoke...was unused fuel...replaced fuel pressure regulator and then had upper intake manifold gaskets replaced and spark plugs again because they had all fouled in the mean time...and WOW....seriously no more black smoke, no more hesitation or warming up with gas pedal. i should also mention it clogged 1 one my converters...so it had to be cleaned out...I have 2 catalytic converters on my bronco. Hoped this helped.[/b:5dfa546cd3]
Jan 12, 2006 at 7:20 AM
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PEPPERMRJ
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 1,158 POSTS
Saturns have had a lot of difficulty with temperature sensors causing hard starting,no starting, poor fuel economy, and more. I would think that at your mileage it should have been replaced once already. It may need to be replaced again. Stay away from the composite/plastic tipped types. Go with a brass tip.

Check it out and let us know.
Feb 1, 2006 at 11:24 AM
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Suggested Repair

Replace the engine coolant temperature sensor with a brass-tipped unit, not a composite or plastic-tipped type. On high-mileage Saturns, a failing temperature sensor is a known cause of hard cold starts, unstable idle, and poor fuel economy.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1992 Saturn SL1 with 225,000 miles reported that the engine would not stay running when cold unless the accelerator was held, that idle later rose to 3000-4000 RPM until the car was shut off and sat, and that it produced strong exhaust fumes, black tailpipe residue, and very poor fuel economy. Spark plugs and the fuel filter had already been replaced. Another user described a similar unused-fuel problem on a different vehicle that was fixed by replacing the fuel pressure regulator and intake gaskets and cleaning a catalytic converter. The expert advised that Saturn temperature sensors commonly cause hard starting and poor economy and recommended replacing the sensor with a brass-tipped unit rather than a composite or plastic-tipped type.

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