Genetic,

When you are in town and the A/C IS working, does the temp gauge climb, or does it stay put (a bit below 1/2 tick I'm guessing)?

If the temp gauge stays put with A/C on in traffic, the electric cooling fan is likely ok. It is quite normal for the temp gauge to rise on the S cars to what seems to be a scary looking level near the red-- however, the electric cooling fan kicks in and cools it back down.

If this was not occurring in your case, you'd likely be overheating in traffic with the A/C off---but you have not indicated this as an issue.


Can you confirm the above?

If so, sounds more like the A/C clutch is disengaging........

 

Resolution: Cooling fan motor was bad. Assembly replaced and now A/C is back to "colder than a mother-in-law's kiss."

Normally (and now) the coolant temp gauge is just above the 1/4 mark. I could never pinpoint which happened first: temp gauge spiking or A/C cutting out.

 

Well, looks like that problem has been put to bed - glad your ride is back to par.

Frankly, I'm becoming a bit put off with the brand of electric motor Saturn chooses to install -- seems that they fail a bit more often than they should -- or maybe I'm just getting old and grumpy ....

 

wow, I wouldn't have thought the increase in engine temp towards overheating would trigger the A/C to cut out....guess some one was thinking when they programmed the PCM....

Nice one, OA.....
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Glad to hear you are again one with your mother in law in a icy kinda way