Hello, We have a 98 SL2 with about 130,000 miles. Ran perfect over the weekend. Husband tried to start it a few days ago and just got clicking noises. We put a different battery in it and it started up 2 or 3 times and sounded great. It was left parked in the same spot. Went back the next morning - it started but backfired and ran really rough. Tried new spark plugs -(needed them anyways) and it made no difference. Any ideas? Starter, Sensor, Timing Chain. Thanks!!

 

You might have 2 problems going on there;maybe a battery going south...however, if you have been using cutrate gas in the vehicle, the hard starting problemmay bea dirty gas/water-in-the-gas-tankproblem. It was with my 96 sl2. Put some techron gas additive (wal-mart)in the gas tank and try using shell gas. I know it is a bit pricier than others but it helped to solve my problem and it will help keep you out of bigger headaches down the road.. That little 4 banger engine does a great job but it needs GAS---not sludge and water----from your gas tank.


Hope this helps

 

Have you replaced the original engine coolant temperature sensor (ECTS) yet? This has the tendency to crack from a poor design leaving the PCM to believe the engine is always cold enrichening the air/fuel mixture permanently with a high idle. The opposite occurs also with the PCM believing the engine is always hot and leaning out the a/f mixture when cold starting the engine, idling too low or stalling until the engine is warmed up. In either case the coolant sensor is the problem with the replacement made of brass and under $30 in cost. The two-wire connector also corrodes from leaking anti-freeze and requires replacement from a pc connector, a junk yard air temperature sensor connector, or the dealer's $30 part.

 

Thanks gentlemen for your input. Husband had it in his head it was the starter. He replaced that and car started perfectly and sounded great. Car wouldn't start the next day after work so he jumped it with the extra battery he had in the trunk just in case. Put a new battery in it and all has been well for 5 days now. He figures that the bad starter justcranked so hard it ruined the battery which was old anyways. Now - I have another post concerning a Vue and a service engine soon light if anyone wants to look at it!!We have 4 vehicles - 3 vehicles with problems in 2 weeks!! Heater fan went out this morning on son's car so he is driving the Vue with the service engine soon light!! Don't they say it comes in threes??!! M