1995 Saturn SL2

I have a 95 Saturn, with a 98 DOHC engine and trans. It has been running
great for six months til lately. It has developed a no power situation.
When it goes into 3rd gear (auto) it surges. When I rev the engine up in
neutral it is fine. Also top speed is 50 mph on the floor. It slows down
considerable going up a hill and will not downshift. I have replaced the
fuel filter, plug wires, plugs, air filter, changed oil and filter, and
serviced the trans, accessed the computer and it has a repeating code
12.(ok)
I checked fuel pump pressure and I have 35psi at the access fitting at the
engine. I have been told it might be a clogged converter. It seems to blow
exhaust fine when rev'ed up. The exhaust does not smell (like rotten
eggs), but the exhaust appears to be real hot. I have not checked the EGR
yet. It seems like it is dragging an anchor. I appreciate any help.

 

I had something similar happen on my 96, but after dealing with it for a
while, it became very loudly apparent what the trouble was. The brakes were
sticking. I changed all 4 calipers, and rotors and pad/shoes (I can never
remember which is which), and it goes, now.
If you let go of the gas pedal, does it slow down very quickly? If you put
it in drive and don't push the gas, will you move? These tests are one way to
find out. Or you could let the Dealer tell you, for about $80, just to look.
I'm cheaper.
Good luck,
Tedrick

 

....Is the Service Engine Light coming on, and how do you know the exhaust is
running "real hot"? (just curious) Sounds like a trip to the dealer, eh?

 

No service engine light. The computer shows clear. I used a infared
pyrometer and compared to another Saturn it seems to be running 100-150
degrees higher. I drove the car again and it does not slow down fast. On a
flat road it takes about a half mile to reach 50mph, and that is all it
will do. I jacked up the car and checked the brakes and they are free, non
appears to be sticking nor is the car pulling due to sticking calipers. I
also checked the compression and all of the cyls are within 5 lbs of
factory specs. I am leaning toward a blockage in the exhaust(converter).I
am hoping to avoid a trip to the dealer, but if I must, I will. Thanks for
the input.

 

A plugged converter can be dangerous (FIRE). I'd make that the very
next check.

Ken

 

plugged converter will cause that. I had an old car once that did that and
it was the converter. I had it taken off and this fixed the peoblem.

 

if it acts up after warming up try the two temp sending units on the side
of the head

 

Thanks for the help guys, but here's the latest. I changed the
converter......same problem. I checked the OBD again. No trouble codes. I
have heard that this model has a transmission mounted speed sensor and
amplifier that feeds input the the computer, and that if this goes bad it
could cause problems. Has anybody ever heard of this? This problem happens
hot or cold. I changed the temp sensors in the head....still same problem.
Saturn dealership is no help when I call to ask for advice, they would
rather have me bring it in and charge me for something that I could
probably fix myself. At my wits end!

 

Im a mechanic @ a Saturn dealer and I have a 95. I had a similar problem
when I rebuilt the motor, I swaped out the intake with a newer one because
it was cleaner (less work). But infact it was more work, the injectors in
a 95 only work with a 95(because of the wiring harness and computer). It
has something to do with the resistance in them. Mine wouldnt pickup right
away and had some accel prob only in gear, and I tracked it down to the
injectors. I put my old 95 injectors on, and wallah it works fine. I cant
gurantee that this will work but id give it a shot if you still have ur old
95 injectors laying around! =)