95 Saturn SL2 having problems

If you have to hold your gas pedal to the floor to start it then you need a new coolant temp sensor. You have two you want to replace the bottom one with two wires going to it a black one and yellow one. Also inspect the connector terminals to it if there green or blue replace the connector to it also. The sensor is located bellow where the upper radiator hose goes on the head screwed into the head. Make sure the engine is cold you will loose coolant. You will need a 13mm deep socket and a ratchet the sensor is only 10 make sure you get a brass tipped one not a plastic tipped one. The plastic tipped ones crack. Let me know what you find and how it runs after you replace that.

A bad coolant temp sensor can cause that also it tells the computer what temp the engine is and when they go bad they read colder then actual temp so the engine runs too rich. Replace the sensor and inspect the connecter like I said and let me know how it runs. Its really common for them to go bad.

Did you change the bottom sensor with two wires going to it?Was the connector corroded?So is rattling in the rear only there while your trying to start the car?Where is the high pitched whining noise coming from the alternator idler pulley?What is your voltage reading at the battery cables while the car is idling?You said the ses light came on what code numbers do you have?

Glad to hear you got it running good again the temp gauge is ran by a differnt sensor then your coolant temp sensor. If the check engine light was coming on before you could have other issues. Do you know how to flash codes out of the check engine light?