do it yourselfers?

the only things remaining to fixed on my 94sl1 that im aware of are the, automatic seat belt track, windshield, oil leak (possible pan gasget), and for the sake of regular maintenence the o2 sensor, fuel filter, ac (possible freeon leak) and rewireing the cooling fan properly (currently hard wired straight to battery). my question is, are any of these do it yourselfers for an amature mechanic?

Hey friend. I am a automotive technition and I feel that if you have any mechanical skills and the right information you can do all of those things yourself. For info where to start or just advice on how to, just look me up.

the only thing you might not be able to do is the windshield cause you need 2 people to do that. and maybe the a/c

the only things remaining to fixed on my 94sl1 that im aware of are the, automatic seat belt track, windshield, oil leak (possible pan gasget), and for the sake of regular maintenence the o2 sensor, fuel filter, ac (possible freeon leak) and rewireing the cooling fan properly (currently hard wired straight to battery). my question is, are any of these do it yourselfers for an amature mechanic?

Here is a link to the best DIY repair info.
http://www.alldata.com/products/diy/index.html

playstation3 is right about the windshield, It would be better to pay someone to do that because of water leaks.(no one wants to have a leaky car) but the a/c he can do it. it should be r134 and stuff can be picked up by any one at your local parts house. if you get the hose with the gadges on it green is good...

what would you recemend gettingh fixed first? i plan on paying a local shop to fix my seat belt next time i get payed. would there be anythingh you reccemend getting fixed before that or next in line?

playstation3 is right about the windshield, It would be better to pay someone to do that because of water leaks.(no one wants to have a leaky car) but the a/c he can do it. it should be r134 and stuff can be picked up by any one at your local parts house. if you get the hose with the gadges on it green is good...


Say no to them death kits.:grinyes: :rofl: :lol:

Wal Mart type DEATH KITS

You cannot properly and safely recharge an air condition system with them.

The one side stop and go gauge does not tell you what your system is doing or is over charged or undercharged.
A overcharged or malfunction air condition system can reach over 500 lbs of pressure.
Enough to blow up that can or system and freeze you at first and the burn you or blind you and if any propane /butane in there blow and light you up.

The stop leak crap and who knows what kind of oil in the kits there will stop your system for sure.
Just like pouring super glue in it.
And some kits even contain freon with a butane mixer.
Good for a big blast.

If you are going to do it do it right and safe.
Here is what you need to start with.
http://www.ackits.com/merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Store_Code=AMA&Product_Code=66773

In the older days you could just throw in a can and go.
But over the years just adding freon is getting harder to do.
Newer systems have to have the correct amount of freon down to the ounces.
Most will need pumped down and vacuumed down and the right and amount of oil and a set amount freon charge installed to get the air to cool right and the system to last.
If an air condition is low there is usually a leak that needs fixed and also a lose of lubricating oil from system.
Also air and moisture enters a low system
If you are going to try to do it get the proper type air condition gauge set with the low and high side gauges.
Hook up the gauges and get a reading with compressor running at idle and at 2000 rpm on the high and low side.
Post back pressure reading and we can help you.
MT

i agree with MT2500 on the A/C issue. enviormential and legal issues aside (since no one listens when i talk about that stuff) - its rarely as simple as fill 'er up and go. if its not working there is a reason, and after you repair the problem it is near impossible to charge the system to the proper level without proper equiptment(by which i mean charging the system by wieght while watching high and low side pressures, and i mean actual pressures, not colors)i did have to charge a system one time only by pressures and a dash temp gauge, since the shops A/C machine was overcharged so wieght was inaccurate. that was not fun, it took me four times to get it right, but it was blowing at 35F when i was done :D a system improperly charged by just a few onuces will not cool correctly.

i also have a pair of mouse tracks for sale if you want them PM me, or do you beleave the problem is elsewhere in the system?

lastly i really don't consider a O2 sensor regular maintance. preventive, maybe, otherwise if it doesn't throw a code, its fine

there is no code for bad O2 popping up but it appears to be the stock sensor and i assume it wouldnt hurt to replace.

i bet it will hurt your wallet. my O2 sensor costed about $80.

id rather spend the money knowing a good part is on my car

I was trying to help the guy out. about the ac. If you watch what you are doing you can get it right the first time. but if your scaired then pay someone big bucks to fix it. normally at the dealership you will pay 70.00 diag. 40.00-60.00 for freon yes the 6.00 bottles are marked up that much. then you will pay the mechanic atleast 80 to put it in. I know because that is what we are forced to do. If you can afford it go for it. if not I stated the other means. However I would not worry about the a/c not the hot weather has almost passed. Me I would worry about the oil leak. that is more important than the o2 sensor. That is my opinion. also I would fix the wiring for the cooling fans. you probably need a temp. sensor. and hook up the fans the proper way. then I would move on to the fuel filter and the regular maint. things. If the check engine light is not on. the o2 does not need replacing.. hope these things help. just givin advice from the mechanic side. we dont mind takin your money but bare in mind It is ALOT cheaper if you can do it yourself. Then you learn how to maintain your own ride

so if theres no code dont even worry bout the sensor at all? is changing the oil pan gasget a do it yourself job? what about the seatbelt? ive already changed out the coolant temp sensor. dealer said they can rewire for me for about 130

forgot to mention odometer doesnt work. not worried bout but still on my mind. lol

so if theres no code dont even worry bout the sensor at all? is changing the oil pan gasget a do it yourself job? what about the seatbelt? ive already changed out the coolant temp sensor. dealer said they can rewire for me for about 130
no code you would be throwing away money. The engine light will let you know when that time comes. the oil pan you should be able to do. do you have any mechanic ability. If so you should be able to fix the seat belt also.most of the parts are just bolt on and with any mechanical experence should be quite easy. If I knew what you were working on I could email you with the wiring diagrams. no problem..

what im working on? a 94 Saturn SL1 SOHC. bad automatic seatbelt track. i have no clue how to fix that. and a cooling fan hardwired straight to battery.

is it a coupe or sedan or hatch? whats email address to where to send info.

I just looked in the manual. there are 2 temp sensors located on the head. 1 is a sensor for the gauge and one for the computer. the computer tells the fan to come on. on the wiring you can probable find the wires they cut and the side the hooked up to the fuse compartment and rehook them . (color to color of corse) I have the print out of the electrical wiring. and how to replace the seat belt..

its a sedan.

this is the wiring diagram for the PREST module (for the motorized seat belts)

http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/14128/cat/500/ppuser/7049

frist check the CHIME, IGN 1, and PREST fuses, hell check all of them, then remove the center concole to see if your milkshake was spilled on the module(really wish saturn would have designed in a cup holder) clean and seal with a ziplock bag if nessacairy. if nether side belt is working at this time check for power ( B+ org wire) and ground(black wire) with a multimeter(digital prefurred if availible) if the module has power and ground carefully back probe the connectior at the outputs to the motors, then cycle the key and open and close the door or what ever you need to do to make it that the motors should be moving. your meter should read 12 volts for a few seconds, if it does not you most likely have a bad module or a bad input. if you do see the voltage rise for both motors then carefully remove the plastic trim covering the tracks and A-piller. careful because the clips that hold the plastic cover in place easilly break. backprobe again at the motor an repete, if you had 12 volts before and now you don't open wires maybe to blame. if the motor has 12 volts going to it, chances are the motorhas burned out. if you do brake the clips, check the link below, saturn does have a repair clip tha cost 1.50 - 2.00 each i think(?)and each panal has 4-6 of them.

http://www.saturnfans.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/16160/cat/500/ppuser/7049

where can i purchace the clips. also i had an estimate once and that shop told me that the track can not be fixed. it has to be replaced. by the sound of all that, i think id be better off paying a pro. the told me it would cost about 170 and id rather pay the extra to know its done right rather than possibly make it worse. unless you have any other suggestions. oh and by the way. . . you double posted

does any one have any seggestions on how to do my fuel filter or how to even tell if its neccessary? does an easy way even exist? lol

does any one have any seggestions on how to do my fuel filter or how to even tell if its neccessary? does an easy way even exist? lol

Raise it up and Craw under there after you put some good stands under it and remove fuel filter and see if you can blow threw it.
But while you have it off it is a good time to put another one on it.
The Easy way is to have them check it when they change the oil.
MT

I have been trying to help all that I can. you stated on this post if any of this stuf could be done by your self (amature mechanic) Almost all of it can be done by a amature mechanic. but knowing where things are would help. My biggest advice would be to go to the dealer and get a factory repair manual. It would be all the help you need. It will give you detailed instructions. Some even come with detailed photos. Every time I work on a non toyota vehicle I always buy the book. If just to put it up till I need it for diagnostics or to find something (wiring). usually I add it into the repair costs.

sorry I forgot to mention you can register to alldatapro.com . I think you can only purchase a subcription to just your vehicle info. I have full access at work and printed out the wiring info on your car for the cooling fans but have nowhere to send them. also printed step by step how to shange the seatbelt track.

how much might this book cost?

where can i purchace the clips.

dealer only, i beleave the part number is included in the link


oh and by the way. . . you double posted

i did and am sorry :frown:

how much might this book cost?

the SET of books is somewhere in the $150 area i beleave. indiviual books were and i think still are $15, see the back of your owners manual for more info.