2002 Saturn SL1 Engine shuts down while driving

Tiny
AJJH
  • MEMBER
  • 2002 SATURN SL1
Engine Performance problem
2002 Saturn SL1 4 cyl Automatic 140000 miles

Hi there.
While driving my car would just shut down. It wouldn't stall out or nothing, the engine would just stop.
It hasnt happened when im cruising on the highway, except for the engine is about to shut off (rpm goes to zero, speedometer goes to zero, all the MILs come on), but then reboots back up before actually dying. But has often times just shut off when I'm slowing down or speeding up and just driving through town.
The problem has been getting progressively worse.
Now when I try to turn the key, it makes some pretty nasty noises. Similar to scraping noises, although it does start.
I ran OBD2 through it, no codes were there to retrieve. The service engine light only comes on when the engine quits, but as soon as I turn the car back on, it disappears.
Another thing I noticed is that driving home the other day, the odometer said I drove about 70 km when really I drove maybe 20 or 30 (it quit on me twice also). However, the final mileage on the car I believe is correct, based on the mileage I got in between gas fills. Must be electrical?
Please help.
Friday, October 8th, 2010 AT 12:02 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
This is a confusing one since there is no check engine light and it does seem electrical. Have you checked fuel pump pressure? Does the car always start right back up?
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Saturday, October 9th, 2010 AT 11:46 PM
Tiny
AJJH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I have not checked the fuel pump pressure. I assumed that if it was anything mechanical the engine would stall before quitting?
The engine does not stall at all when it quits, it just quits immediately.
Yes, the car always starts back up with no problems when this happens. Or atleast it did. When I parked it after work one day, the next morning it would not start every time I tried to turn it over (sometimes it will turn over). It makes scraping/grinding noises.
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Sunday, October 10th, 2010 AT 3:46 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
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Can you tell aprox where the noises are coming from?
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 7:34 AM
Tiny
AJJH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I cannot.
I have had two people stand in front of the car with the hood open while I turn it over and they can't tell. I don't want to do it too often in case I do some further damage.
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Monday, October 11th, 2010 AT 1:36 PM
Tiny
JACOBANDNICKOLAS
  • MECHANIC
  • 109,885 POSTS
Check the crank sensor to see if it is loose and rubbing the harmonic balancer. Keep in mind, the noise could be coming from several things, water pump, bearing in alt. You may have to start it just long enough to determine where the noise is coming from.
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Tuesday, October 12th, 2010 AT 6:33 AM

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