02 Saturn SL2 won't start

Hi there.

My daughter has a 2002 Saturn SL2 that I bought her about 2 years ago. The car has been great until this week. She went out to run some errands and got gas. Well after she got gas she drove about 2-3 miles over to Costco. She shut the car off and when she came out it wouldn't stay running. It would start for a second or two and then die. It's most certainly a fuel delivery problem. I had it towed home and was wondering what kinds of things I should be looking for? Does this car have an inertia switch? I didn't find one anywhere. I shot some starter fluid into the throttle body and the engine fired right up so its not a spark issue. Any thoughts would be great

After you got it running, would it stay running? When trying to start, is the security lite on the dash, flashing or on. Passlock security system is injector disable.

After you got it running, would it stay running? When trying to start, is the security lite on the dash, flashing or on. Passlock security system is injector disable.

The security lite isn't flashing at all. Is that a problem? The car will start if I keep feeding it start fluid. Once I stop it stops.

You need to check for injector pulse, use a noid lite. The autostore sells them. The pink wire at injector is voltage, key on, use voltage tester. Also, use a gage and check fuel pressure.

You need to check for injector pulse, use a noid lite. The autostore sells them. The pink wire at injector is voltage, key on, use voltage tester. Also, use a gage and check fuel pressure.


I made another realization today. The key pulls out of the ignition when in the run position. Could a worn out key or ignition cause this problem?

It's hard for me to tell much from here, try a different key?

I did try another key and no go. someone on another board recommended replacing the TPS. For 34 bucks Ill try it. The local Chevy dealer wants 700 bucks to put in a new ignition. WTF...

Use a gage and check fuel pressure. Some of the national brand autostores used to loan out a fuel pressure gage, if you don't have one. Also, check for injector pulse.

OP, please do what was suggested first. There is a reason why you asked the question here. You should probably take the advice you asked for instead of going your own way. You clearly have spark, the starting fluid making the car run for a second indicates you are not getting fuel. You probably have a bad fuel pump. Replacing the TPS will be a waste of money.