97 Saturn wont start, turns over has spark and fuel pump is working

Tiny
FFFSSS
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 SATURN SL1
  • 140 MILES
Check fueld pump and spark, ok
Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 11:10 PM

18 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Are injectors firing? Does it do anything or just spin over?
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 11:35 PM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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Just spins, how can I check if injectors are firing?
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 11:53 PM
Tiny
FIXITMR
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You can use a noid light. or make your own. http://www.noidlight.com/making-your-own-noid-light/
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Friday, March 9th, 2012 AT 11:59 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Just to add to this one sounds like a bad coolant temp sensor. Try holding the gas pedal to the floor while trying to start it see if it starts?
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 12:13 AM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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I got noid light, were is the plug(whats it look like). Ill try holding down the pedal, thanks.
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 2:30 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I really doubt you lost injector pluse on that car. The injector harness runs across the back of the valve cover unplug the injector plug the tester in crank the engine the light should flash and not stay on solid.
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 3:29 AM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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Injector pulse ok, I only checked one injector should I check all four. Gas pedle to floor didnt work, were is the temp sensor, how can I check it.I put some gas in the air intake and it fired but didnt start?
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You should have checked all four injector pluses what is your actual fuel pressure you have?The coolant temp sensor is screwed into the right bellow where the upper radiator hose goes on. It has a black wire and yellow going to it unplug it and see if the terminals inside the connector are blue or green instead of silver. You need a multimeter to test it.
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 7:05 PM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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Ill check all four, how can I check fuel pressure, what am I checking for on the sensor with the meter
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Saturday, March 10th, 2012 AT 7:50 PM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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  • 11 POSTS
Sensor looks good (clean)
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 3:10 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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You would rent a fuel pressure gauge from auto zone and I could give you more info when you get one. You need to check the resistance of the sensor and know me know what the outside temp was when you tested it. The sensors are only like 10 and they have a high failure rate.
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 3:12 AM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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I need more info, dont know much about cars, how do I check resistace, specfic detail please, I borrowed a pressure gauge thanks
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 2:44 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Checking resistance would all depend on the meter usually the meter leads would be in the same place plugged into the meter as checking voltage. Then you would set the ohms meter to ohms scale 2k. Then measure the resistance across the two terminals of the coolant temp sensor. As far as checking fuel pressure remove the air inlet tube. Then on the fuel line running up to the fuel injector rail you will see a threaded fitting on the hose. Screw the fuel pressure tester on there then face the pressure tester so you can read it while your sitting in the drivers seat. Then crank the engine like you trying to start it you see 40-50psi fuel pressure. It will most likely bleed down on that car the fuel pumps had a lot of problems on the 1997 saturns with that. But see what the fuel pressure reads before it bleeds down.
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Sunday, March 11th, 2012 AT 4:24 PM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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Coolant gauge was 6.35 ohms outside temp 10* celcius.I still need to find a fuel gauge. Now it will start for a second and then die and then just turn over, when I leve it for acouple of hours. Befor having this problem it would start no problem when it was cold but when it was hot it would turn over for 5 to 10 seconds befor starting or I could let go of the key and when I tried it again it would start instantly. Thanks Frank.
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 12:30 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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For that temp the chart says 5,670 ohms.
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 12:39 AM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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Sorry! Forgot to tell you I had my meter set at 20k it didnt have a 2k. Should I replace it anyway?
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 2:18 AM
Tiny
FFFSSS
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I replaced the sensor, same problem, it runs for a second and then just turns over.
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 4:32 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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We need to check the actual fuel pressure. Also try turning the key to the run position leave it there like two seconds then repeat 3 times and see if it starts.
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Monday, March 12th, 2012 AT 6:01 PM

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