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Car starts then dies

Tiny
BONESBULLDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 82,000 MILES
I've been having problems with my Saturn as of late. The car would start fine then as soon as the rpms went down after the initial crank the car will just shut off. Then the car won't start again but if you keep trying it will eventually turn over after a while. Then when you take the car out of park and into drive the car will try to stall out. If it doesn't stall out and you get going it seems to run ok. Especially once the car warms up. Then when I get home from where I'm coming from and try to shut it off and start it again it will start no problem. Also note that I've changed the spark plugs and the plug wires recently. Thanks in advance for your feedback!
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Friday, October 10th, 2008 AT 8:02 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Have you done a relearn on the pass-key?
GM PASS LOCK RELEARN- Ignition to "run" position, try to start and let key return to "run" position
Approx ten minutes security light will go off
Turn key "off" and wait 5 seconds
Repeat 2 more times for a total of 3 relearns.
Turn key off, then start it
Try this and get back to us if it doesnt work.
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Friday, October 10th, 2008 AT 8:05 PM
Tiny
BONESBULLDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Thank you for your suggestion. I went out and tried what you suggested and the car started right up fine. Car not staying running only seems to happen when the car has been off over night. In the mornings or when I get out of work is when its happening. Do you have any other suggestions?
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Friday, October 10th, 2008 AT 8:51 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Like I said, do this when it wont stay running. Also at that time note what the security light on the dash does when you are cranking and when it runs then dies.
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Saturday, October 11th, 2008 AT 9:25 PM
Tiny
BONESBULLDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Ok we tried your suggestion earlier today. It didn't work I"m afraid. We thought about it and a few years ago we put in an automatic car starter and the guy at the shop disconnected our passive security system. Is it possible that it could be the coils?
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Saturday, October 11th, 2008 AT 9:52 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
Try removing the fuse for the remote start, it's not that they actually disable the security, it's that they use a key with the chip in a box that reads the key, the same as your ignition switch. Is your service engine light on? Try reading the codes.
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Saturday, October 11th, 2008 AT 10:06 PM
Tiny
BONESBULLDOG
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
The service engine light was on but when we changed the plug wires it went off. I've been reading about this ECTS sensor that seems to go bad in a lot of Saturns. I might try and replace that in the morning. Forums list it at around $19. I pray its going to be that cheap to get out of this.
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Saturday, October 11th, 2008 AT 10:18 PM
Tiny
MERLIN2021
  • MECHANIC
  • 17,250 POSTS
If a code P0341 came up, it usually ends up as the EI, electronic ignition module is bad.
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Sunday, October 12th, 2008 AT 7:57 AM

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