94 SC2 Hard to start sometimes

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Fred

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Hi

Car: 94 SC2 Aprrox 160K miles. Auto. All original.
Normally starts and runs fine.

Lately, if you shut it off and come back between 15 min and an hour later and go to start it the following happens:
An initial cough from the engine, and then it just cranks like it is getting no gas. If you floor it will start eventually.

If you shut it off and come back in a few minutes or a few hours later it starts fine.

Plugs, wires, and rotor replaced.
Alas, same symptoms.

Replaced: PCV valve. Looked bad.
Alas, same symptoms.

Cleaned: Throttle body, IAC valve, throttle position sensor. So far so good after 1 day, but I don't trust it.

Other anomolies:
The idle seems a bit high also. 1200 or so on the dash gauge (Same as before all this). Fan comes on for some reason 2 minutes after you start it cold, then shuts off about 10 minutes later. Never did that before. And its winter here in Ct. I didn't check for any diagnostic codes. No check engine light or other indications of trouble.

Anyone have any ideas what to try next?
 
Hi

Car: 94 SC2 Aprrox 160K miles. Auto. All original.
Normally starts and runs fine.

Lately, if you shut it off and come back between 15 min and an hour later and go to start it the following happens:
An initial cough from the engine, and then it just cranks like it is getting no gas. If you floor it will start eventually.

If you shut it off and come back in a few minutes or a few hours later it starts fine.
Click to expand...

I used to have a '96 Buick Roadmaster that exhibited exactly the same symptoms, beginning at close to the same mileage. Problem turned out to be the fuel pump (pumping pressure was about 1/3 of spec).

Had you noticed that the problem is worse if you're parked on a slight uphill slope?
 
Doug...
And what do you know. I do park it on a slight
uphill slope! I'll have to check out that fuel pump next!
Fred
 
Another possibility might be one or more fuel injectors leaking. (For short time after the engine is shut off not enough fuel leaks in to be problem but a little longer and there is enough ["flooded"]and longe still the fuel pressure has bled off and no more gas leaks in and what di evaporates and it will start OK.) That's my theory -- don't know if that' it or not. I had a '93 Nissan pickup that had a similar problem though i would always start -- eventually. But I sold it (let the buyer know before I ever confirmed it.

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I had on my 93 sl2 two of the injectors would stick! and not opperate , th thing is they go bad gradually ,the best thing to do would be take the somewhere to get cleaned and checked, mine did not leak, they can b cleaned on the car but that wont help one that is sticking and injecto cleaner will not help an injector that is going bad !!! they should b replaced as a set

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After re-reading and thinking about the other problems a bit more I' thinking you may have a faulty sensor that is giving the compute incorrect informtion. But I would think your check engine light should b on ( are you sure the lamp is OK -- does the check engine briefly ligh when you turn the key and start? ). Hopefully a Saturn expert wil comment.

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Doug...
And what do you know. I do park it on a slight
uphill slope! I'll have to check out that fuel pump next!
Fred
Click to expand...
Imagine that. :-)

Check the fuel pump pressure, compare it to spec, and let us know what you find.
 
The check engine light comes on fine when you turn the key to the run position. Just not on when running! I will check if there are any stored codes.

I will have to probably start with getting a fuel pressure tester. Maybe at Autozone this weekend!

The injector malfunction posibility looks like a likely place to investigate if the fuel pressure looks ok.

Fred
 
Hi Saturn fans.

On a hunch I replaced the Coolant temperature sensor that goes to the PCM. Fan coming on cold was one of the anomolies. Old one measured 21K Ohm cold. New one measured 6K Ohm cold. Book said about 5.6K cold so old one way off. All problems gone! A miracle fix at $10.00 from Autozone. To all a Merry Cristmas and a Happy new year!

Fred
 
I would try an ECT - (engine coolant temp sensor). They are notorious for going bad.
 
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