Where is the fuel filter for a 94SL1

Discussion in 'Saturn S-series' started by 94SL1, Aug 10, 2004.

  1. 94SL1

    94SL1 Guest

    I thought the battery had drined after leaving the lights on. When I went
    to jump it...the car starts...runs on iddle without cables for 10 minutes
    no problem, but when I try driving it, the car stalls and dies.
    When I try to start it again, the battery is dead. I jumped it again, and
    as running on iddle, I push the gas pedal..OK, once I try driving it
    again, when switching to second gear, it stalls and dies. I thought it
    could be the Fuel filter, does anyone have diagrams (.pdf) or any other
    format, where the fuel filter is located on a 94 SL1.

    Thanks
     
    94SL1, Aug 10, 2004
    #1
  2. 94SL1

    Bob Shuman Guest

    If you have to jump start this vehicle, it would not likely be related to
    the fuel filter. As for it running 10 minutes after you jump it and then
    dying, this sounds like a bad alternator and possibly a bad battery as well.
    Once you put the jumper cables on the battery it gets charged from the
    running/good vehicles charging system. It builds up enough charge to run
    for a few minutes, but since the alternator is probably not recharging the
    battery it eventually dies since it can't generate the required spark and/or
    the computer does not see sufficient voltage to keep the system alive so it
    shuts down in either case. If you then need to re-jump to get it
    re-started, this would seem to confirm the bad alternator. By the way, as
    the voltage drops, the car will likely run like crap since the computer
    which controls everything is not getting sufficient power and the signals
    from the sensors are likely out of the desired range. Fix the electrical
    system first, then see how it runs before doing more.

    In answer to your question, I'm not exactly sure where the fuel filter is on
    a 1994, but on a 1996 it was on the driver's side firewall down near the
    bottom of the vehicle. Follow the gas line from the fuel tank and it should
    be easy to find.

    Bob
     
    Bob Shuman, Aug 10, 2004
    #2
  3. Buy yourself a digital multimeter. ( they are inexpensive these days and it
    is kind of difficult to do any electrical troubleshooting without one). With
    the meter you can measure the voltage across the battery and it should
    measure about 13.5v when the car is running. If it measures less then that,
    turn the car off and measure the voltage again it should measure at least
    12V (usually about 12.5V). Now turn the car on and measure the voltage again
    if the alternator is working properly the voltage should be higher then when
    the engine was off. If the voltage is not higher the regulator inside the
    alternator is probably gone and you have to change the alternator. As it was
    mentioned before if the alternator is not working the battery gets
    discharged and the computer starts being unpredictable and cause all kinds
    of symptoms. The symptoms you describe all point to an electrical problem
    rather then fuel problem. I have had to change the alternator on my 93SW
    three times already. It was the regulator every time.
    Alex
     
    Alex Marcuzzi, Aug 13, 2004
    #3
  4. The fuel filter is underneath the fire wall. It can be accessed by lifting
    the car and sliding underneath at firewall level. The fuel hose has to be
    disconnected first by taking out the air filter assembly. But I really don't
    think it is your fuel filter. I would put my money on the alternator..

    good luck...
     
    Laurent Doiron, Aug 25, 2004
    #4
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