1993 Saturn SC2 Car won't start in the heat

Tiny
SATURN93SC2
  • MEMBER
  • 1993 SATURN SC2
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
The car has had intermittent electrical problems in the past, supposedly due to cracked wiring which is now fixed. I drove it for awhile with no problems, after doing about 10hrs of driving in a couple day period, it started acting strange. RPM's would suddenly drop to 0 while driving, and "flicker" to normal and off a handful of times in a few seconds. Usually remedied by just taking foot off the pedal, and easing back into gas, although sometimes it would lose power.

Also now, it commonly won't start (it's been very warm here), but will sometimes start only one or two times when it's cool, then won't start again for hours. But when it does start, it runs rather normal until I turn it off, then I can expect it not to start for at least a few hours.

Any ideas? I'm by no means a car guy. So far someone expected it to be a Fuel Pump Modulator, which by the way he describes it, sounds reasonable, if that's the case, any info on how to replace this?
Thanks
Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 12:24 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So when it doesn't start does it crank no start?Or no crank no start?Let me know so I can point you in the right direction.
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Tuesday, August 31st, 2010 AT 12:31 PM
Tiny
SATURN93SC2
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  • 3 POSTS
I would assume, crank but no start. Everything sounds exactly the same and normal, except the car actually turning on.
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Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 AT 5:12 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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When it doesn't start take off two spark plug wire's that are right next to each other on the coil pack and have someone crank the engine over and see if the spark will jump from tower to tower.
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Thursday, September 2nd, 2010 AT 11:12 PM
Tiny
SATURN93SC2
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  • 3 POSTS
Lately (it's been cooler) it's usually been starting just about every time, but will sometimes die within 10-15seconds of starting. If I press the gas once, start it, then rev just a little it usually keeps goin past that point, don't know if this indicates anything. As for the spark, there's the black cap-looking things with a long thing that fits over the spark plug, I assume take that off, and where should I look for sparks?
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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 1:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your on the wrong end not by the spark plug's you want where the go on the coil's take two of those wire's off that are right next to each other and have someone crank it when it doesn't start and see if spark jump's from post to post.Also from the sound's of it i would suspect you have a bad coolant temp sensor there only 10 they go bad all the time make sure you get a brass tipped one the plastic tipped one's crack.There is two of them you want the bottom one with the two wire's going to it.All you have to do is squeeze the connector to release it.Also inspect the connector if it's corroded then replace the connector too.Make sure the engine is cold you will loose some coolant.


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_1993_sc2_coolant_temp_sensor_1.jpg

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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 3:42 PM

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