Runs rough after hitting operating temperature and putting in gear

CREATIVEONE32

MEMBER
1994 SATURN SEDAN
1.9L
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
245,000 MILES

I believe my car may be an SL2, but not sure. Just recently I was driving and the engine made a weird noise then stalled out. At first it would not restart, but after letting it sit for a little bit it started but sounded really rough. After letting the car sit for about thirty minutes the car started at a slightly higher idle than normal, but it did not sound rough anymore. When I attempted to put it in gear the car started running really rough and as soon as I hit the gas, it stalled. It would not engage in any gear and would only idle in park. (Did not try to idle it in neutral) After waiting for the tow truck and having the car towed home, the car started right up, had a little bit of a high idle, but it started. I placed it in gear and it ran perfectly fine. The next day I drove it to the store, it ran fine. When I came out from the store and started the car up it had the high idle and as soon as I put it in gear, it ran real rough again, this time when I hit the gas it did not stall out but it was running so rough that I did not feel comfortable driving it. Again waited for the tow and after getting it home, it started right up and I was able to drive it around the yard.

Any ideas of what this sounds like?

A bad transmission sensor or some kind, part of the power pack failing? Anything else?

Please help.

5 Replies

JIS001

MECHANIC
3,408 POSTS

Try to see if there are any codes in the computer. Under the driver side dash there will be a connector. I posted image below. Get a paper clip. With the engine off jump pins B and A by inserting paper clip one end on B and other end at A. Turn the key on engine off and count the flashes. Here is the procedure.

Accessing codes:
The code(s) stored in the PCM's memory can be read either through a hand held diagnostic scanner plugged in the ALDL connector or by counting the number of flashes of the 'service engine soon" telltale lamp when the diagnostic terminal of the ALDL connector is grounded. The ALDL connector terminal "B" (diagnostic terminal) is the second terminal from the right of the ALDL 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 ALDL 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 "service engine soon" telltale lamp should flash code 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. Code 12 indicates that the PCM's diagnostic system is operating. If code 12 is not indicated, a problem is present within the diagnostic system itself.

If you want to record it and post it on here I can count the flashes to get the trouble codes if there are any stored.

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Sunday, September 17th, 2017 AT 1:18 PM

CREATIVEONE32

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you, My husband did this and the only code other than the 12 that flashed was 23 which he said was some kind of Air sensor, he knew was damaged 2 years ago. No other flashed.

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Tuesday, September 19th, 2017 AT 6:17 PM

KEN L

MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
42,787 POSTS

Code 23 is the air intake sensor shorted or disconnected which will cause the problem you are describing.

Here is the sensor location so you can check it out.

Also this guide may help as well.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/engine-idles-too-high

Please let us know what you find.

Cheers, Ken

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Thursday, September 21st, 2017 AT 11:28 AM

CREATIVEONE32

MEMBER
3 POSTS

Thank you, but it wasn't the air intake as that sensor has been disabled for 2 years prior to this most recent issue. It turned out to be the ICM.

Thank you.

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Thursday, October 5th, 2017 AT 4:01 PM

KEN L