1997 Saturn SL1 Fuel issue possibly?

AKACHEVYMAN

MEMBER
1997 SATURN SL1
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
105,000 MILES

I have a 97 Saturn Model SL Series SL24D I am having what I believe is a fuel pump issue. When we got the car it ran great but when starting on first try it would turn over but not fire so off with the key and on the second time it would fire and run great. So no stuttering or lack of power. Came home two nights ago parked and 6 hours later went to go to the store and it would not fire it would give a little kick every couple of seconds but thats it. So I am ok mechanical wise and figure fuel pump so to test I pulled the fuel line off at the front of the fuel filter. When I turn the key on I expect a constant flow of fuel for a good pump what I got was a 1 to 2 second stream of fuel then nothing? Makes me think there is a fuel pressure switch of some kind to cut the fuel pump when it doesnt build pressure? Like in the case of a wreck fuel cut off so no free flow or a bad pump?
Thanks for reading the book
Erik '.

5 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

There's no cutoff like ur thinking the pump runs to pressurize the fuel rail before it starts. The pump only runs constantly when the engine runs.U have to use a fuel pressure gauge to tell if the pump is bad. Sounds like it's pumping fuel but we don't know what the pressure is. Let's try this put ur fuel line back on remove two plugs wires off ur coils right next to each other. Now have someone crank it over while ur watching for spark. Let me know what u find.

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Monday, February 15th, 2010 AT 8:33 PM

AKACHEVYMAN

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3 POSTS

Got spark at the coils I have recently replaced plugs

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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 11:29 AM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Have u tried holding ur gas peadl to the floor to see if u can start it that way?Another thing that happens to these cars pretty common is the coolant temp sensor goes bad. It reads colder then it is and causes all kinds of symptoms. They crack and leak coolant into the connector they corroded the connector u can remove the connector by squezing it see if its corroded if it is it will have to replaced or cleaned.U could also unscrew the sensor and see if the tip is cracked. The sensor is below where the upper hose hooks to the head. Becareful u will loose coolant when u take the sensor out make sure the engine is cold. If u repalce the sensor make sure u get a brass tipped one the plastic tip ones crack there under 20.U will also have to check fuel pressure but u might want to check that sensor first. Let me know what u find.

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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 12:09 PM

AKACHEVYMAN

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Cleaned connection on the sensor and held pedal to the floor and it took a couple tries but is now running I shut it off and restarted it 3 times and let it sit in between seems ok now Thank you very much I am out of work or I would be happy to send a donation I will keep this site for future reference and a donation when I can afford it I am grateful for your help Thank you again

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Tuesday, February 16th, 2010 AT 12:27 PM

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,870 POSTS

Ur very welcome I know how it is iam out of work myself.I would also replace the sensor too that bad connection came from it leaking into the connector.I have heard of people finding them for under 10. Good luck to u and ur job search feel free to use us again and ask another question.