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94 Saturn DOHC doesnt crank when warmed up

Tiny
RECTIFRYER
  • MEMBER
  • 1994 SATURN
I replaced the cps, a coil pack.
ran the codes and readout says theres a clectronic spark control failure. Is this the unit behind the coil pack? What would cause it to be confused?
Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 AT 1:55 PM

12 Replies

Tiny
PEPPERMRJ
  • MECHANIC
  • 1,158 POSTS
What were the specific codes?
The ignition module (behind the coils) needs a corrosion free mounting plate and bolts.
Good luck and post back. :)
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Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
PEPPERMRJ
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Does the engine turn over at all when warm?
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Wednesday, May 17th, 2006 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
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Yeah, ti does turn over vrey well when its warm.
Theres no vacuum leaks, new crank pos sensor.
It will crank now when its warm about 75 percent of the time, but it acts like it lost twenty horse, and thats not an exageration.
It seems to be running rich but only when its warm and it misses only when its warm.
This engine runs perfectly when its cold.
All the wires going to the sensors read 5 volts or 0 for the grounds.
Ive replaced the coil packs and spark controller, and it looks clean behind it. I;ve also replace the spark plugs and wires, the plugs have proper gap.
At this point, I have no clue whats happening.
Is it a coolant sensor issue?
I disconnected the wire I had tapped into it, it ran slightly better when warm, but the coolant sensor was entirely disconnected.
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Thursday, May 18th, 2006 AT 11:04 PM
Tiny
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Friday, May 19th, 2006 AT 7:45 PM
Tiny
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Well. The codes were:
low map sensor reading
electronic spark control failure

I dont remember the numbers, and I know thats important, but.I concluded it was a clogged cat when it was getting hotter that my manifold.

So I took it off(sorry california) and now I have none of the problems from before.

Gotta get new exhaust, its retardly loud and not in a good way
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Saturday, May 20th, 2006 AT 9:14 AM
Tiny
PEPPERMRJ
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The plugged cat could just be a symptom of your engine problem and not the cause.

Check the codes to see if they are still there.

Code 43 for a map sensor causes the pcm to substitute a different set of values for determining the air/fuel ratio. Thjis results in a richer mixture.

The electronic spark control failure you mention is one of several code 41 or code 42 (a, b, or c) issues. All pretty much deal with an elctrical issue (short or ground) for the ignition control.

I would check or have checked both possibilities.

Remove the vacuum line from the map sensor and check for a jelly like substance and that there is vacuum. Also check that the electrical connection is clean, tight, and dry.

Check the ignition control circiut for these posibilitiies.
The IC control circuit is open.
The IC control circuit is shorted to ground or voltage.

Good luck and let us know. :)
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Saturday, May 20th, 2006 AT 5:28 PM
Tiny
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The vacuum issue was actually found to be a bad egr gasket, fixed that and the error code went away.
So far only the spark control error remains.I'm gonna reground every wire on that car and check the ignition
if this doesnt work I'm gonna club a baby seal
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Monday, May 22nd, 2006 AT 11:05 AM
Tiny
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43 electronic spark control failure
I couldnt get it sooner because I'm ussually at work whne I view the replies.
?I'm not sure what this error is?
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Monday, May 22nd, 2006 AT 9:32 PM
Tiny
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Knock sensor, wires, or connection. Be sure to use proper torque for installation.
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Monday, May 22nd, 2006 AT 9:50 PM
Tiny
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Thankyou
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Monday, May 22nd, 2006 AT 10:18 PM
Tiny
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Yeah I made sure all the proper wires were grounded, the sensor gets 4.95 volts from the wire and its a new knock sensor.
But since I dont have exhaust on my car, a tech at checkers said saturns were known for giving this error code when theres not enough back pressure.
And my car is burning a quart of oil every 250 to 500 miles.
It wasnt doing this before, maybe putting on a muffler will help?
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Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006 AT 5:59 PM
Tiny
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Well its not burning oil. There was a bolt with an allen wrench head on it that was loose, it was releasing alotta oil. Took it off and retightend it and no problem
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Wednesday, May 24th, 2006 AT 7:50 AM

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