Stalls out while driving

Tiny
CLANLEMAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 SATURN SL1
  • 4 CYL
95 Saturn sl1
My car will just die while driving. We changed the fuel filter, cleaned the IAC, and the erg valve. We even cleaned the fuel tank. This has been going on for 9 months. What could it be? I tried taking it to get the codes read, put the auto parts stores cant do it because of how old it is.
Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 7:47 AM

7 Replies

Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
  • 9,990 POSTS
Could be crank sensor, or cam sensor if it has 1. Many other vehicles also stall because of this. Not to expensive. If that dont work i'd go with ignition module.
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 8:17 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Before you start replacing part's I would check some thing's the crank sensor is about 20 and the ignition module is over 100 and I haven't replaced many ignition module's and the crank sensor's don't go bad often on the older S model's. It's mostly on the 97 and 98 and up year S model's. You don't have a cam sensor you do have a crank sensor. So when it stall's does it restart right away or do you have to wait before it will restart?If so how long do you have to wait?
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 6:44 PM
Tiny
CLANLEMAR
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We can usually start it right back up, sometimes it will do it again a couple of times, but sometimes it will drive fine for 20 minutes or so.
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Saturday, December 4th, 2010 AT 8:42 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That's going to be the hard part that it start's back up doesn't really give you much time for testing. When you start the engine cold do you ever have to hold your gas pedal all the way to the floor to get it to start?
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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 12:35 AM
Tiny
CLANLEMAR
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Sometimes, someone told us to check the map sensor, could that have anything to do with it and if so, what is the easiest way to check it? Thanks so much for your help, we have been reading your site for days and trying the easier things.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 12:52 AM
Tiny
FIXITMR
  • MECHANIC
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I got a complete used ignition module and coils(coil pack) from scrap yard for $35. Some places may separate them. You dont really need coils? It's been 2 yrs so far! I'd get a new crank sensor though.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 6:54 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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If you have a bad map sensor it will usually set a code I haven't seen many map sensor's go bad on those car's. You would start by monitoring the map voltage with a scan tool to see what the voltage reading was at idle.I posted below how to read code's on your car let me know what code number's you have.
The diagnostic trouble code(s) stored in the PCM's memory can be read either through a hand-held diagnostic scanner plugged in the DLC connector or by:

1. Counting the number of flashes of the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) for PCM Engine Control (EC) diagnostic trouble codes, when the diagnostic terminal of the DLC connector is grounded OR
2. Counting the number of flashes of the LOW COOLANT/HOT lamp for PCM Transmission Control (TC) diagnostic trouble codes when the diagnostic terminal of the DLC connector is grounded.

The DLC connector terminal B (diagnostic terminal) is the second terminal from the right of the DLC connector's top row. The terminal is most easily grounded by connecting it to terminal A (internal PCM ground), the terminal to the right of terminal B on the top row of the DLC connector.

Once terminals A and B have been connected, the ignition switch must be moved to the On position, with the engine not running. At this point, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) should flash DTC 12 three times consecutively. This would be the following flash sequence: Flash, pause, flash-flash, long pause, flash, pause, flash-flash, long pause, flash, pause, flash-flash. DTC 12 indicates that the PCM's diagnostic system is operating. If DTC 12 is not indicated, a problem is present within the diagnostic system itself, and should be addressed by consulting the appropriate diagnostic chart.

Following the output of DTC 12, the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) will indicate a diagnostic trouble code three times if a diagnostic trouble code is present, or it will simply continue to output diagnostic trouble code 12. If more than one DTC has been stored in the PCM's memory, the diagnostic trouble codes will be displayed from the lowest to the highest, with the exception of DTC 11 which indicates transaxle diagnostic trouble codes. DTC 11 will always flash last followed by the HOT light, which will flash transaxle diagnostic trouble codes. Each diagnostic trouble code will be displayed three times.

NOTE: Saturn also uses information flags. These information flags do not indicate a failure and will not turn on the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL). Information flags are used as diagnostic aids to the technician when hard diagnostic trouble codes or intermittent problems occur. Engine information flags WILL NOT be flashed on the malfunction indicator lamp (MIL) and they can only be read with a Scan tool. Automatic Transaxle Information Flags will flash on the HOT light.
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Sunday, December 5th, 2010 AT 11:09 PM

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