2001 Saturn Sedan 01 Saturn doesn't start

Tiny
01SATURNLOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SATURN SEDAN
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
My Saturn SL did a strange thing a couple times. It works great but one day I turned it off, and it wouldn't start again. It would crank over but not start. Then it started. It was as if there was no signal to the ecm or something. It has happened twice so far with no codes. I'm afraid it may be foreseeing disaster. It's happened twice in about a week.
Thursday, August 5th, 2010 AT 10:25 PM

8 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Here's what I need you to do when it crank's but no start I need you to take off two spark plug wire's off the coil's that are right next to each other. Then have someone crank the engine while you watch for spark jumping from post to post. Let me know if you have spark when it doesn't start. Sound's like you have a bad crank shaft sensor there about 20. But untill we do a few test's I can't tell you for sure.
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Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 1:04 PM
Tiny
01SATURNLOVER
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  • 5 POSTS
I thought that but also heard that if the crankshaft sensor was bad, the car would stall and act funny. It doesn't do any of that, but I will check next time it does it.
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Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 7:49 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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It can do all that but most of the time it will just stall out and not start. Or it will run fine fine till you go to the store and come out and no start.
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Friday, August 6th, 2010 AT 8:37 PM
Tiny
01SATURNLOVER
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  • 5 POSTS
It has spark, but it's kind of hard to tell since it started when I got the plug wires off. It isn't throwing an engine code. Wouldn't it have a code if it's the cps?
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 8:39 AM
Tiny
01SATURNLOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Today when I started it, the idle dropped low at curb idle. I'd say about 300? It's never done that either. And if I give it a shot of gas, it kind of bogs at the top of the rev.(At idle)
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 8:41 AM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/416332_2000_sl2_coolant_temp_sensor_3.jpg


On your car most of the time it won't set a code if the crank sensor is bad.Your last symptom you described that could be a bad coolant temp sensor.They cause all kind's of problems no start's stall's overheating and you wouldn't know it because the gauge will read lower then normal because the coolant temp sensor's end up reading like 30-40 degree's below actual temp.Very common for them to go bad.There only 10 if you change it make sure you get a brass tipped one the plastic tipped one's crack.Also i would inspect the connector going to it if it's corroded it will have to be replaced as well.I know your next question will be where is the coolant temp sensor so i posted a diagram of where it is.Also if you change it make sure the engine is cold and you will loose coolant.
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 11:35 AM
Tiny
01SATURNLOVER
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yeah, I replaced the cts about 4 months ago as routine maintenance. I replaced the crank sensor today and so far so good. The one that was in it had a couple little cracks in it. Nothing I would see as terrible, but maybe with the heat oil got in and corroded the wires. Dunno. Lol
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Saturday, August 7th, 2010 AT 9:45 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
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Alright let me know how it goes.
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Sunday, August 8th, 2010 AT 1:10 AM

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