1998 Saturn SW2 Cuts off while driving

Tiny
RIVITAE
  • MEMBER
  • 1998 SATURN SW2
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 136,000 MILES
I have a '98 Saturn SW2, and here's the problem. I can get in it, start it up no problem, and drive for about 2 to 3 miles with it running perfect. Then it will just cut off, with no warning, usually while I'm doing 45 down the road. A couple of times when it did this, while I was just staring at the rpm gauge in disbelief, wondering how far I could coast, it just came back on. Once it starts cutting off, though, you wont be going much further. If I sit and wait, it will start again after 20 or so minutes, but doesnt get far. It will only go the 2 or 3 miles if you start with it cold. I have replaced the fuel pump, the fuel filter, and the ignition coil module, since it was discovered that no spark was getting to the plugs when it stalled, and both of the coils were tested and were fine. Any ideas as to what I'm dealing with here? O yeah, I also tried a code reader, which gave me zero codes to work with. One other interesting discovery that I made last night is that I can tell when it's getting ready to shut off, the rpm's drop slightly and it feels like it's going to start running rough, but doesnt get a chance to before it cuts off. In this split second or 2 before it dies, if I give it gas, I get no acceleration, just a gravelly sound/feeling from the engine. Then I'm on coast-mode. Thats the best way I can explain it, believe it or not. Please, please, PLEASE HELP me with this hoopti
Friday, September 3rd, 2010 AT 4:08 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Sound's like you have a bad crank shaft position sensor when it was hot and didn't have spark you would have to check the sensor with a ohm's meter it should be about 800 ohm's. There sensor's are cheap there like 20.
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Friday, September 3rd, 2010 AT 4:47 PM
Tiny
RIVITAE
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So I went to AutoZone and picked up a cp sensor for $17, came home and installed it, and the freakin thing is fine now. Thank you so so much for your help. My boyfriend thanks you, too, since with your help, I was able to take care of it all before he got home from work. He was thrilled! There's one thing bothering me, though. While it was having it's 'little problem' it was idling really high, (1300 - 1500 rpm) and now that all is cool it's idling super low, (500 - 600 rpm). It seems to me that before it started it's stuff that it idled at around 800. Is that still normal, or am I just being paranoid?
Thanks again for your time and ur the best
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Saturday, September 4th, 2010 AT 8:45 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,870 POSTS
Glad to hear that you have it running and not dying. The car idle's at 850 rpm's somewhere around that. What I would check is the coolant temp sensor it's real common for them to go bad and there like 10. If you change it make sure you get a brass tipped one the plastic tipped one's crack. Also inspect the coolant temp sensor connector if it's corroded then you will have to replace the connector. When the sensor's go bad they over heat surge while driving unstable idle's they do all kind's of different thing's. They fail all the time that's where I would start.
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Sunday, September 5th, 2010 AT 11:51 AM

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