!998 Saturn SL1 Sedan, will not start at all. I insert key and get it to crank, but nothing. There is fuel coming to the engine, butam not getting any spark. Plugs and wires were replaced by the dealership 2 months ago, all plugs and connections tight. I replaced the battery, and then after consulting a troubleshooting guide replaced the Ignition Control Module, but still nothing. No spark, nothing. Any ideas? Edited by: sw2cam

 

Check all fuses under the hood and under the dash........If fuses are good hold pedal to the floor and crank. If the cars starts that way.....replace the temp sensor and connector. Get the parts from your local Saturn Dealer.

 

Sounds like the ignition fuse (IGN x--sorry don't have a wiring diagram handy for a 98...) on which the coil packs are on is toasted.

I am assuming you have no spark on any cyl?

Are you saying there is no spark b/c it is not firing or are you doing a spark test on each plug with the plug out of the cyl?

Did you replace just the ICM or did you replace the enitre coil assembly (both coil packs + ICM)?

The coil packs are grounded through the base plate of this assembly to the block. Thus, you may also want to make sure there is good contact between the bottom of the assembly to the block. Though if you hadn't removed the assembly, this would be a longshot.

 

We checked all the fuses and all are good, tried the full throttle start, still nothing. We did check for spark on all cyls, and got nothing. We changed only the Ignition control module, not the coil packs. As for the temp sensor, that was replaced when the plugs and wires were done by the dealer 2 months ago (we are 30 days past their warranty.)

 

If there is no spark going to any of the four cylinders.To check the ignition module, first check for an ignition control signal at the 6 pin electrical connector that connects to the ignition module. With the ignition key ON check for voltage at the white wire. It should be 1 volt or less. If the voltage reading is correct, (that means you have the proper current going to the ICM), now turn the ignition key OFF, disconnect the 6 pin electrical connector and measure the resistance of the ground circuit on the same wire (white wire). It should be above 200 ohms. (This means the ICM is properly grounded) It can loss it's ground from corrosion. (four bolts that hold the ICM become rusted and the mounting surfaces) Clean with wire brush and sand paper, then use dielectric grease. You can use an ohmmeter to check the secondary resistance of each coil pack. If you have current to the new ICM, my guess would be the unit is not properly grounded.
I had a problem with one side of the ICM plate going bad, with both coil towers being okay. So there was no spark to cylinders 2&3. The car still ran on only two cylinders. Hope this helps

Edited by: paulorlo