Difficult Saturn

Last week, my daughter's '01 Saturn coupe - 1.9 DOHC - wouldn't start. On the the first attempt, it would fire to life then die. Immediate repeated attempts wouldn't even fire. Letting it sit for a while (10-15 minutes), it would fire then die and do the same no-fire trying it again, right away. It was getting darker and I didn't have time to probe further that night, so I got back to it the next day.

On the first try, it started right up and stayed running. It was working fine for the past week, but this morning it wouldn't start, doing the same thing as last week. Later in the day, she called and said it started. But then in the evening, it refused to start again.

The SES isn't on and my scanner reads nothing. Any ideas? I'm stumped.

If it just doesn't crank I would suggest an ignition switch but since it fires and dies sometimes that doesn't seem to be the problem. The ignition switch is more of an ion problem anyway.

I'll ask some of the techs at work tomorrow to see if there are any common problems with these symptoms (I work at a former saturn dealership).

I'll say this: It's got a damn good battery. It'll crank just fine, even after many attempts.

RealMiniDriver wrote: The SES isn't on and my scanner reads nothing. Any ideas? I'm stumped.

Probably get a lot more responses if you posted pictures of said daughter...

I'm just sayin!

I'm just sayin!

I had a simular problem with a Cavalier. It was the GM anti-theft system. Does the anti-theft light flash after it doesn't start? My problem was a weak battery. It was enough to start the car no problem, but I guess the computer sensed there wasn't a full 12 volts, so it kicked in the anti theft. Usually I killed the battery trying to start it again, so I'd get a boost. Then it would start no problem. Because it was getting at least 12v.

A new battery solved the problem. Just a thought. If it is, the anti-theft light should flash after it dies the first time.

RealMiniDriver wrote: I'm just sayin!

Question... RMD is that you in the handcuffs, or Mr. Hitemp ?? either way, well played !

I'll check that, Jack, but with the amount of cranking it can do, I think the battery is good. Doesn't rule out a bad anti-theft system, though.

I had a similar problem with my wifes saturn. It was the check valve in the fuel pump allowing the pressurized fuel to drain back into the tank after sitting for overnight. And of course the pump and check valve are one in the same part so, It was $400 for the part and a pant load of labor to fix it. Uggh.

I was just going to say, check the fuel filter and the pump.

Ill thwor this bit in if it helps. Make sure your battery is tightened...the cables i mean.

My saturn had a ghost issue where it would just die sometimes when i went to start it. dead. no nothin. Last time it happened the security system armed and did its thing.

Turns out when i replaced the battery i neglected to tighten ONLY the negative cable properly. Woulda never guess it to be the case

I agree with ignorant. Sounds like a fuel problem and I would start with checking the fuel filter and any evaporative canister. Don't know if a Saturn has one of those evap cannisters but they can be a PITA on the Focus.

New fuel filter/pressure regulator (incorporated in one unit) didn't do the trick. It's getting fuel, though. For E36 M3s & giggles, I hit the bleeder on the fuel rail and got a healthy squirt of gas. It's getting spark from all four leads and has compression in all four holes.

I'm going to say it's 90% likely to be the pump.

I forgot to mention that all the plugs were wet with gas.

However, I got it started. Contrary to what I had always been told, I floored it when I was cranking it. Shut it off, waited a few minutes and it started like it should normally. After letting it sit for a couple hours, I had to floor it to start it.

Does that still sound like fuel pump?

And on top of The Daughter's car troubles, The Boy's car fragged the timing belt when the tensioner spring let go. Luckily, it's a non-interference motor. (Mazda 1.8 Protege)

You may have an injector leaking fuel. When you shut the car off the fuel continues to leak past a leaky injector into the intake manifold until all the pressure bleeds off. This fuel in the intake causes a flood on start up if enough time hasn't past to let all fuel evaporate from the manifold. This is a pretty common problem and the fix to get it started is just like you did, floor it and crank then start normally. If this turn out to be the problem you can take the injectors and fuel rail loose and turn the key on without starting the car and see which injector leaks.

RealMiniDriver wrote: I forgot to mention that all the plugs were wet with gas. However, I got it started. Contrary to what I had always been told, I floored it when I was cranking it. Shut it off, waited a few minutes and it started like it should normally. After letting it sit for a couple hours, I had to floor it to start it. Does that still sound like fuel pump?

coolant temp sensor.

common failure on Saturns. Makes them run awful awful rich. So rich they flood.

I'm going with the security being at fault.

A typical OE security setup lets the car start and run for a short bit then die. It won't restart until the reset period has passed but it will crank.

Belteshazzar wins. It was indeed the CTS.

All this and still no pics of your daughter....kidding, unless she's over 18, then I'm not.