Where Are Saturn Mechanics Missing The Boat?

Jul 30, 2004 10 Replies

Following is a long saga of dealing with P0442 code on a 2000-Saturn SL2:



Saturn has yet to fix this vehicle with reliability or credibility; the manufacturer doesn't seem to have the answer, either. Problem started 2 days after 3-year warranty was up: Last visit, car was in shop for three days. Car has never been to an outside mechanic. Notice repeat part replacements on this low mileage car. Come



4/1/2005 this car will not pass inspection in New York State. In fairness, Saturn has not charged me, but I can't even get another dealer to take this car as a trade-in.

Any suggestions on what Saturn mechanics failed to do? They claim car passes pressure tests and smoke tests -- that the car is mechanically sound -- that there is no leak.



George


Date Miles Part and Part serial number and job


04-Nov-2002 10622 PCM Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 21025106 Replace
>04-Nov-2002 10622 Connector 12117087 Repair ALDL/DLC/SES
>02-Jun-2003 12875 State Inspecrion
>10-Jun-2003 12996 None No Repair
>17-Jun-2003 13113 Seal-F/PM 21008100 Replace Fuel Pump Seal
>07-Jul-2003 13339 Solenoid, Evap. Emiss. Cannister Purge 10293954 Replaced Valve ASM
>07-Jul-2003 13339 Solenoid, Evap. Emiss. Cannister Purge 21007370 Replaced Tank ASM
>23-Jul-2003 13509 Fuel Vapor Pressure Sensor 16238399 Replaced
>11-Aug-2003 13773 Solenoid, Evap. Rmiss. Cannister Purge 21008461 Replaced Solenoid
>16-Sep-2003 14242 PCM Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 21025106 Replace
>21-Oct-2003 14605 Tank ASM 21007370 Replace Fuel Tank
>21-Oct-2003 14605 Cannister 17098073 Replace Fuel Vapor Cannister
>21-Oct-2003 14605 Valve ASM 10293954 Replace Vaklve for Evap. Emiss Cannister

Vent Solenoid


21-Oct-2003 14605 Pump Kit 21015152 Replace in tank Fuel Pump
>06-Jan-2004 15467 Fuel Tank Filler Neck 21008388 Replace fuel tank filler neck
>04-May-2004 16672 Engine Control Module (PCM/ECM) 21025128 Replace Computer
>14-Jun-2004 17217 PCM Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor 21025106 Replace
>14-Jun-2004 17217 Fuel Tank Cap 22660002 Replace
>27-Jul-2004 17567 Fuel Vapor Pressure Sensor 16238399 Replace

They have to fix it in the US under emissions warranty.

Cannister Vent Solenoid

Saturn can not charge you, because your car is covered under the federally mandated emissions warrenty, and I believe if you bought it new in NY by that time, the California warranty. It's is entirely up to them to fix it. Check the back of your owner's manual, it has this info in there. You shouldn't pay one cent of the costs, period.

Then the car shouldn't be throwing a code and should pass inspection. In any case, It's up to Saturn to fix the problem, on their dime.

Just replace a few more parts and I think we can rule out a fuel problem.

BTW, a lot of these parts should be covered under the 100,000 mile emissi>Following is a long saga of dealing with P0442 code on a 2000-Saturn >SL2:

Vent Solenoid

I forget what that code is and dont have my book in front of me , but from the list of parts there it must be an evap system problem. The one thing not on that list is the filler neck. I ( when I worked there ) had replaced 2 necks for leaks. This was caused by gouging the neck with agas pump nozzle. I will look up the code later ( unless you have the info with you ) .

Evap leaks were pretty easy to find with the super sensitive microphone thing Saturn gave the techs.

P0442 Medium Leak Detected in EVAP system

Quoting from the original post:

(I can understand how you missed that in the middle of all the other repairs.)

You'd think that Saturn would crack down on dealers wasting their money on such parts-swapping (replacing the FTP sensor twice?) If the code is still there, there's obviously still a leak somewhere (since they already replaced the FTP sensor). It could be in any of the vapor lines around the fuel tank or in the engine compartment. They're supposed to be using a smoke generator and ultrasonic leak detector to track down an evaporative leak of this sort.

Do all Saturns have a 100K emissions warranty? 1992SL1?

Mike

Cannister Vent Solenoid

It is a Federal law that all new cars have a 100,000 mile emissions warranty. Not sure of the time limit but I don't think this extends back to 1992.

My 94 SC1 says 50K or 5 years.

brian

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