Hi:
Need some advice.
I have a 2002 SL1 that developed a problem with the temp sensor around
2 weeks ago. Temp gauge needle fluctuated wildly in both directions but mostly going down, then back to normal, sometimes dropping all the way down to the "cold" setting just for a second. After a day or two, Service Engine Soon light came on. I took it in for service at the dealer, they said they replaced the temp sensor. It ran absolutely great for about a week.Then the gauge needle starts fluctuating again, just a little at first and then within about 2-3 days it's back to the way it was before they replaced the sensor. I also noticed the car was hard to drive, as it sometimes gives it too much power when at a stop (like a light) and it's all I can do to keep foot on the brake. When moving, sometimes it was sluggish and didn't want to go. I am guessing this had to do with the car's computer trying to compensate for what it thinks is the engine being cold for a short time, when really it is not cold. The SES light also came on again. So I take it in to the dealer. This time they said they cleaned corroded connectors related to the temp sensor, replaced a leaking battery and fixed a rear tail light. I don't think whatever they did had any effect on the real problem (other than the SES light is now off again). The temp needle is still spiking back and forth, and the car is sometimes hard to control (either wants to go when I am stopped, or doesn't want to go when I am moving). I don't know how else to describe it, but it just does not run well at all. I could tell immediately, but when I picked it up the service shop was closed, or I would have just turned around and let them have the car again.
So I am looking at taking it back again to the dealer for the 3rd time (it's under warranty, so I am hesitant to take it anyplace else). There's only one Saturn in my town, the next closest is in Gainesville, Fla, 155 miles away, so I am trying to avoid having to go to a different dealer although I could try that. I'm not sure if/how much damage it may be doing to the car to drive it like this, which is another reason I hate to set out for the Gainesville dealership. Though if it cannot be fixed here I may be forced to try another dealer.
I presume a few days of it running like this, the SES light will be back on. So I am thinking tomorrow (Monday) morning I will call the local dealer and make a service appointment. Am I thinking right to make the appt before the SES light comes on? Seems to me it would be better to do that. I just wondered if anyone knew of anything I might tell them that would steer them to a permanent fix for this problem. Is there anything I might tell the service people here to look for? I am in no way mechanically-literate. Thanks just for reading this far.