Crank will not start

Tiny
HCALLISE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 40,000 MILES
In the morning, the engine will turn but not start. After a short while it will flood. The mechanics said that the computer senses a very low temperature and therefore enriches the fuel. They replaced the ambient temperature sensor, but no help. I don't know if this helps, but previous to replacing the sensor the idle would sometimes drop below 500 and occasionally stall. A couple of times I was able to get it started and then it ran fine - until the next morning.
Any suggestions are gratefully appreciated.
Friday, March 26th, 2010 AT 8:34 PM

77 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
As far as the computer they don't have a problem with them have worked for Saturn fixing cars over 16 years an haven't replaced many of the computers in all those years.with the LS model body control computers they have problem with those.he is on the right track with reading too low of temperature but replaced the wrong sensor sounds like you need a coolant temperature sensor it's screwed into the head below where the upper hose goes on.it has two wires going to it a yellow one and a black one make sure u check the connector if it's corroded then replace the connector too.make sure you get brass tipped sensor the plastic tipped ones crack.make sure the engine is cold and you will loose coolant.Saturn had trouble with these sensors from 1991 until like 2001 till they changed to the brass tipped ones.there under 20 let me know what u find.

Also check this guide out:
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-cranks-but-wont-start
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Friday, March 26th, 2010 AT 9:03 PM
Tiny
HCALLISE
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  • 5 POSTS
Thanks for your quick answer. I will check and let you know.
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Friday, March 26th, 2010 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
HCALLISE
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Some good and some not so good news. The sensors were replaced. The battery leaked. It was replaced along with wires below it that the corrosion ate up. The computer was replaced with another used one. It worked. For a week. Now we have similar problems - again. I haven't figured-out what led to the following situation - but now I can start the car, it turns on, but as soon as I let go of the gas pedal (that is, let it idle) the engine dies.
I know you are not supposed to press on the gas pedal when starting it. I do press on the gas pedal as soon as the engine starts, else it will die. When I let go of the gas pedal, the engine dies. I can smell fumes as if it had been flooded. Any thought as to what I should test or observe?
Thanks
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+1
Saturday, April 10th, 2010 AT 9:44 AM
Tiny
HCALLISE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
After letting the car sit overnight, I tried to start it again and this is what happened. I started the engine, gave it a little gas for several seconds, let go and it idled ok. Smelled like rich fuel. An hour later, started the engine without giving gas and it ran nicely. An hour later started again without gas, and it would not start. Tried again with a little gas and it stayed running.
So, if it doesn't start the first time without giving it gas, then it seems to start the second time with giving a little gas. Naiive as I am, something is not regulating the flow of gas. Yes/no?
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Saturday, April 10th, 2010 AT 12:23 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Its probably something to do with that acid leaking into the harness I had a car like that ran really weird and come to find that the acid got into the harness and was eating the wires up and that was skewing the semsor readings. Once the acid gets into ur harness its like a cancer and justs keeps eating away. Was the acid neautrlized with a acid neautrlizer?That could be ur problem all a long the acid is just working its way thru ur harness. Do u have any codes?Please check that for me that could really help if u do. Let me know what u find.
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Saturday, April 10th, 2010 AT 2:54 PM
Tiny
HCALLISE
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
The harness has been replaced, so I was told. I'd better check how much of it was truly replaced.
I don't have the equipment to determine the codes. I'll have to ask the technician.
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Saturday, April 10th, 2010 AT 4:36 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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If u don't live in california then any auto parts store like autozone can read ur codes. Yeah once the acid gets in there I have tried to repair harness but some of them I just ha to replace the whole engine harness. Let me know what u find out.
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Saturday, April 10th, 2010 AT 9:22 PM
Tiny
PAGEPOUZAR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 SATURN SL2
  • 132 MILES
My timing belt was broken so we replaced it and the water pump. We were told that the valves and head gasket were fine. But it still wont start? Whats the problem what do I need to replace?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
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Start with a compression test? How did they, whoever they are, determine the valves were ok?

Roy
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAGEPOUZAR
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He did a compression test and said theres no compressin in bottom of the motor.
And he took them out and checked the valves
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Then they are bent if there is no compression

Roy
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
PAGEPOUZAR
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He checked them and said there not bent
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
ASEMASTER6371
  • MECHANIC
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Does not make sense. If there is no compression, then you have bent valves.

Roy
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Which model saturn do you have?Because the model you listed has a timing chain not a timing belt.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
B_N_E_Z
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
  • 2000 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 128,000 MILES
Makes a weird sound when trying to start the car. I can hear the starter going but the engine won't turn over. Tried spraying starter fluid in air filter line and still could not get combustion. I heard that it could be the fuel pump, fuel filter, or even the timing. Any clues?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
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Get a helper disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine atleast 3/16 in away from ground have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs, coil's resistances, cap and rotor /distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, ECM, Ignitor camshaft and crankshaft sensors and computer. Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:32 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RKERSTETTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
  • 2000 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 12,000 MILES
My car recently stalled after I stopped at a store and didnt want to start back up for a while. When I finally got it started it had an egg smell for a few seconds and then ran like garbage. I was able to get it to my house which was thankfully just up the road. It sat in the cold for about 2 weeks while I asked around to see if anyone could think of what it was. I was asked if the service engine light was blinking and if it was then it was likely that a cylinder was misfiring and maybe some oil got into the spark plugs. I opened up the hood and checked the spark plugs and saw that there was some oil in them. I soaked up as much as I could and then replaced the plugs and the plug tubes. Now the car wont start or even get jumped. It has power to the radio and the lights and does try to turn over but it just doesnt seem to be able to turn. Any ideas what it is?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
TOOOMANYTOYS
  • MECHANIC
  • 513 POSTS
I would start by having the battery checked. Sometimes the battery can be so dead it will not even let you jump it. From there I would inspected the battery cables and connections for corrosion, and tightness
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
RKERSTETTER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Alright, ill take a look at that. I also just read online that it might even be the coolant temp sensor. This raised my eyebrows cause just before it died the temp was kind of hi and I checked the antifreeze and the reserve tank was pretty much empty. Think this could be part of the problem?
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)
Tiny
STVSMTH
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
  • 2000 SATURN SL2
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 150,000 MILES
Drove the car at lunch Monday with no problem, no recent problems with starting or anything else. After work (approximately 4 hours later) I got in the car and nothing, no noises, no clicks, no lights, no hazards (didn't check to see if brake lights are working).

I walked home (I live/work in a small town and regularly walk into work; so most of my mileage is very short), came back the next day, Tuesday, and tried to jump the car after work. Still nothing. Cannot swear 100% that I had everything set up right for the jump, but I'm fairly certain I didn't botch even this simple thing. Don't remember if lights worked, but certainly no dashboard lights etc.

Wednesday, I notice that the clock is working (but showing wrong time) when I try to start at lunch. Coming back fifteen minutes later, the clock is off. I cannot say exactly what happened between those two events.

Took a quick look at the fuse box. Swapped the IGN 3(30) maxi fuse with another fuse and the EIN(10) mini fuse with a another fuse. Still nothing. (I know next to nothing about cars, but this seemed worth a shot).

I replaced the battery (it was due) approximately two months ago (late November 2009). At that time I successfully jumped the car and got it home and then successfully replaced the battery with little drama. Hope I didn't mess something up.
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Monday, April 27th, 2020 AT 12:33 PM (Merged)

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