1998 Saturn SL2 wondering if the computer is bad

Tiny
COOKIF
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 146,000 MILES
Just bought this car for my daugher and it won't always start. If it is on an incline it will start and stay running just fine then. A friend though it might be the computer. What do ya think? If it is the computer can I buy another and install it myself?
Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 10:41 AM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I doubt its the computer they don't go bad often and being on incline starting really doesnt sound like the computer is there any codes?Also there might be water or some other thing in the gas tank sloshing back away from the pump on a incline allowing it too start. Once it starts can drive or does it stall out when it goes level the more details the better. Was the car sitting for a while before u got it?
Louie
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Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 10:47 AM
Tiny
COOKIF
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Thanks for the quick replie. Yes the car had been sitting but the problem was happening before they left it sitting. Should I add gas treatment? I haven't had anything done with it yet as far as diagnostics go. What should be my next step?
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Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 11:22 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I also asked u how the car runs when it's driving down the road once it starts does it stall out surge run fine?When the car doesn't start can u hold the gas pedal to floor and start it?Iam thinking the car might be flooding out. When the car is cold on the head below the upper hose screwed into the head there is a coolant temp sensor squeeze the connector with the key off and look at the connector see if it's corroded they usually turn green. The coolant temp sensor go bad and cause hard starts surging high idles overheating all kinds of things there under 20 to repalce. Sometime when they go bad they crack and leak into the connector causing the connectors to corrod.U can get a good fuel drier at the auto parts store to try that wouldn't hurt if the car sat. Let me know what u find.
Louie
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Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 11:39 AM
Tiny
COOKIF
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
I'll try it out when I get home tonight. I appreciate your time and I'll let you know what happens.
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Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 11:45 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Ok let me know.
Louie
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Monday, November 30th, 2009 AT 12:21 PM

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