2001 Saturn SL2 keeps stalling....HELP!
 

Hi,
so we are having a problem with our car. Recently, the car will not start and will eventually after about 30 mins. On ocassion, it will stall at an intersection but will usually start up or even stall out right after shifting from reverse.
It is a 2001 Saturn SL2 and perhaps its time to look into getting a new car, but i'd really like to fix our car and use it.

Does anyone have ANY suggestions on what it might be? I was browsing online and saw some message board that spoke of possibly rebuilding the starter or replacing it. I'm not sure how much that would cost.

Any help or suggestions would be great! Also, would you anyone recommend a mechanic in Austin, TX?

Thanks in advance!

not starting and intermittent stalling are usually but not always two unrelated issues.

Not starting--

check battery terminal tightness and integrity. How old is your battery?
What if any noise do you hear when turning the key and not starting?

Stalling --

Can you be more specific about the conditions under which it stalls? Can you reproduce it under certain conditions (thus making it not intermittent?) This will greatly aid us in the diagnosis of your issue.

Is the service engine soon light on? If so, stop by Autozone or similar and get the codes read and post them here.

answers to the questions
 

Hi,
thanks for the reply. Here are some answers.

The battery is within a year old.

When turning the key, the car engine cranks but just comes short of turning on.

Stalling-

It happens when we are backing out of the driveway and then shifting it into drive and accelerating...it will stall at that point.

It will stall at intersections when accelerating.

When we've been in bumper to bumper traffic, and are slowly accelerating(stepping on gas) – it will stall.

The problem is intermittent.

The service engine light does not come on.

Does that help?

thanks again for all the advice.

Suggest starting with replacing ECTS (Engine coolant temp sensor) and connector with brass style OEM replacement.

Failed ECTS can lead to hard starting as it often makes the fuel mix too rich.

Too rich a mixture can also lead to essentially flooding out the engine when accelerating.

the connector is dealer only but worth it about $40 total.

(So the two issues may indeed be linked based on the addl info you provided)

sounds like your fuel isn't gettin pumped.

A cheap thing you can try is pick up a bottle of fuel injector cleaner, they are about a dollar.

do not use the 10% ethanol fuel, your Saturn won't run right on it.

Also, check your air filter.

More replies.
 

Hi,
Thanks for the additional information. We will look into the fuel injector additive.

As far as the other suggestion about replacing ECTS and connector with brass style OEM replacement, is that something we could try and do ourselves or would be be better suited to ask a professional to do it for us?

If so, are their nationwide chains you wold recommend? We live near a brake check and not too far from a firestone.

thanks again. All the information is greatly appreciate!

ECTS is a DIY fix. IF you have never replaced it it has failed -- they all do eventually due to poor design.

It is a two wire located in the cylinder head, drivers side. FInd the
Replace on a cold engine and use teflon tape on the threads. A bit of coolant will leak out so put a rag under where you're working to catch it.