Saturn SL2 engine dies shortly after startup.

Hi,

I have a Saturn SL2 about 128644 miles on it and my question is what can cause the engine to just stop while driving or just idling in the driveway. At first my girlfriend would be sitting at a drive thru or at a stop light and the engine would just quit on her. She would have a hard time starting it right after so she would have to sit there for about 2 minutes which then the car will restart with no problems. A week goes by and it did it to me but even after waiting 10 minutes it will not start. Friend told me i had faint spark but he got a spark and it started up right away. Then died shortly again but started up again and then no problems at all. Now if i start the car and let it sit in the driveway for about 5 to 10 minutes it just comepletly shuts off, and wont restart until i leave it alone for about 25 minutes and repeat problem. I have new Ignition Module and coils. new spark plugs and wires. Replace the ECTS sensor. Clean the EGR Valve to the best of my Knowledge. I dont know what else could be killing my car.. PLEASE HELP!

Reply to
cdiesel77
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I'm assuming no trouble codes are set (service engine soon light is out).

It takes four basic things for an engine to run: fuel, air (actually oxygen), compression, and spark. Air is unlikely cause here since this surrounds us everywhere and there is not much to the air intake system. The fact that it runs normally "sometimes" kinds of also rules out the compression angle as well. So its either fuel delivery related or spark related. Determine which is missing and start your troubleshooting from there.

I have used a spray can of starting fluid down the throttle body to see if it would start ... if it does then dies, look at the fuel system: dirty filter, defective ASD relay, defective/dying fuel pump, other? If no change and still won't start with fluid, then remove a spark plug and while grounding it to the engine using a rubber glove as an insulator, see if you get spark while someone else turns the key. if no spark check the electronic sensors, probably the crank sensor or the computer module. Also make sure the battery is good and all cables and grounds have clean and tight connections since electronics do funny things when battery is low or there is a bad connection.

Also, get a Factory Service Manual for troubleshooting since it has schematics.

Bob

Reply to
Bob Shuman

He probably wont get spark if the car cant tell when its on a compression stroke. "compression sense timing"

Also a stock .040"-.060" gap isnt sufficient to determine if the ignition system is weak.

This spark tester you can see the center electrode, this isnt good for modern HEI ignition systems.

This spark tester you cannot see the center electrode, this is good for modern HEI ignition systems.

You use this tester with a short piece of rubber hose. Find a 3/8's rubber hose about 3-4 inches long with an inner diameter that will fit over the tip of a spark plug. The hose should be check with an ohm meter. Since its black rubber it should have "carbon" in it. This will conduct electricity and its resistance should be no greater than 10k ohms or something... Push one end of it onto the cars spark plug (leave the plug in the engine.) then clamp the other end of the hose with the Spark Tester and attach the plug wire.

Doubt anyone followed that but thats the only way you can cheaply and accurately gage the strength of the ignition system.

Reply to
blah blah

Thanks for the reply. I just hop in the car and ran it across the street to Autozone and had it scan. the SES light pop up right after i installed the ECTS sensor. Now the code that I am getting is a PO401 EGR Excessive flow Detected low circuit. Is what i remember. Drove the car back quickly and it died on cue.

Reply to
cdiesel77

I have the same problem, I have changed the pcu and coils, no change. If i let it sit fir about ten minutes, it will start again. Confused!

Reply to
MORDO2

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