my car is the 1999 Saturn SL2 that hasn't been drivable in 4 months. Finally It will start and idle fine, but when you put it into reverse it will die if you don't keep your foot on the gas and brake. Same goes for when you are driving, if you take your foot off gas to stop the car it wants to die. Any suggestions as to what may be causing this??

 

what rpms does it idle at?

 

when it is idiling the rpm is on the 2nd little line above the 1.

 

Sounds like about 1200rpm to me ........

 

It would help to know what codes the computor is reading out as to problems it thinks it is having.
computor controlled cars are indeed complex for problems of this nature, however the advantage is that they read and store codes which help in solving these problems.
Many auto parts stores will read these codes for you if you can get the car to them.
With out this information, guessing can cost a ton of money.

 

the idle is abnormally high for a warmed up saturn s car......5 spds idle at 800-850, automatics in the same general range.......please post codes per Unc

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding, it is reading between the 1 and 2, and check engine light is not on.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding, it is reading between the 1 and 2, and check engine light is not on.
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The check engine light does not have to be on for the computor to recognise and store a code on an operational problem.

 

if it's the 2nd line above the 1 it's 1200 -- not sure where there is room for a misunderstanding.

(????????????)

 

i read the post wrong, sorry. Warmed up idle is 850 rpms. And it isnt reading any codes.