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Saturn wont start

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 1998 SATURN SL2
  • 1.9L
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 200,000 MILES
So I went to the store and came out in 20 minutes later and the battery sounded low so I put jumper on it and got it to go, drove a couple miles and gauges started fluctuating wildly and quitting if rpm dropped, but rpm then went high like 2500 kept driving got home shut it off and now it won't start sounds sort of weak? Sort of like low compression.
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Thursday, March 17th, 2016 AT 6:12 PM

20 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
When I started it at the store all engine warning lights were working and went out after start. Idle was fine.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Have you checked to see if it was the alternator that went bad? Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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I have not checked anything happened close to dark in open driveway kind of cool and windy.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
I remember the other question now, the clutch is acting up. Somedays/times fine other times pedal has to be slammed to floor to engage in gear when sitting driving no problem. Car even creeped with pedal down after coming to stop in gear.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
I would jump start it and see what the voltage is with the engine running at the battery. It really sounds like a bad alternator. I just had my alternator go bad recently on my 1999 Saturn sl2
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So when the clutch won't release all the way does the clutch pedal drop some before the pedal becomes hard or is the clutch pedal hard all the way down?
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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There is resistance all the way down right from top. And the car turned over fine in driveway just won't start almost seems like turning over to fast.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Hold your gas pedal all the way to the floor while trying to start it and see if it starts. If you have a hard pedal all the way from top to bottom and the clutch isn't fully releasing then you have a bad clutch pressure plate.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
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The grab range is what changes it's either right at floor or about 1/3 of the way up. Fluid level has remained the same.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If the pedal is hard from the top to the bottom and the clutch isn't fully releasing then you you have a bad pressure plate. Also did you try starting the car with the gas pedal pushed all the way to the floor?
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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I don't recall. But I'm in bed since this question started will know more tomorrow just thought maybe symptoms had a specific indication or history. Didn't realize bad pressure plate could fluctuate work sometimes not others. I've had bad 1s before and they just stayed bad
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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On those pressure plates the fingers wear uneven and cause uneven release of the clutch disc. Or some of the fingers stop come up even with the rest of the fingers causing uneven clutch disc release. Also there are really only two things on those cars that cause the clutch disc not to fully release the hydraulics and the pressure plate. I have seen both be intermittent.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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Okay, I went under the hood to look at things. What I found is the serpentine belt is way loose no damage just way too loose.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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Ok I went under hood to look at things what I found is serpentine belt is way loose no damage just way too loose.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That would explain why the battery seemed low earlier. But if the battery has enough charge in it the car will start. Sounds like the belt tensioner went bad. Check it out, it's below the power steering pump and is spring loaded. Start by fixing that then go from there.
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+1
Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Okay, my hearing is bad so I thought the starter was turning engine, but it was not. I put charger on for 15 minutes and car started. So yah change tensioner and should be good to go. I wish it was an easier job! That's why I like my APV v6 all accessory stuff is easy!
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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They aren't too bad you can go through the passenger side splash shield and also get a floor Jack and remove the top engine to raise the motor to get more access. I replaced a ton of them with all the years I spent with Saturn.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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I took out 2 bolt holding tensioner and its NOT COMING OFF! Tapped it with hammer still solid!
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
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Cuz I took out the wrong bolt! Pretty close together. Disassembled tensioner dont see whats broke. Kind cheap design with plastic parts. Gates seems all metal and beefier.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I was going to say I have never seen one stuck and wouldn't Come out after removing the bolts.
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Wednesday, January 8th, 2020 AT 10:41 AM

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