92 LS1 running rich

I have a 92 SL1 that is running rich. It throwing codes 45 O2 rich and code 74 trans coolant temp does not match. It turned my grass black just sitting there idleing. Any ideas i have replaced coolant temp sensor already and it has not changed. Coolant temp still reads way below outside temp. please help.

I will assume this is an automatic transmission. If so, if front of the battery, an down is a spin on filter and a two wire connector going to a sensor. Ensure that the wires are connected and the sensor is good.

The Code 45 is for the oxygen sensor that is in the middle of the exhaust manifold in front of the radiator. Make sure that has a good connection.

Take the air intake assembly off. Get a can of carb cleaner. Put some absorbant rags under the intake. Use you had to open the throttle and spray behind the throttle.

It is likely that your ECTS ( engine coolant temperature sensor ) is bad.

Follow these directions..

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37884

ECTS is a possibility but I don't think it's likely. If the PCM gets bad reading from the ECTS it will revert to default values and will run a bit rich but not as bad as this sounds. Sounds like a bad injector dumping fuel. Get an automotive stethoscope and listen to each injector while running. Should hear a regular tinny clicking sound from each. If one sounds different, that could be the bad one. Get this fixed quickly or you could trash your cat.

I will assume this is an automatic transmission. If so, if front of the battery, an down is a spin on filter and a two wire connector going to a sensor. Ensure that the wires are connected and the sensor is good.

The Code 45 is for the oxygen sensor that is in the middle of the exhaust manifold in front of the radiator. Make sure that has a good connection.

Take the air intake assembly off. Get a can of carb cleaner. Put some absorbant rags under the intake. Use you had to open the throttle and spray behind the throttle.

It is likely that your ECTS ( engine coolant temperature sensor ) is bad.

Follow these directions..

http://www.saturnfans.com/forums/showthread.php?t=37884


Well from the sounds of it I replaced the wrong sensor. The sensor I changed only had one wire going to it. The thread you linked me to stated that this sensor is for the temp gauge only. I need to find the other one I guess where is it located?

The one wire sensor is for your temperature gauge. Take the newly purchased sensor out and put it in the correct location.

The ECTS sensor is located next to it toward the firewall. Look for the two wire. It is recessed. You will need a 13mm 6 point deep socket. Focus on the photos connected to the ECTS how-to...

Purchase the correct sensor at Advance or Autozone for the temperature gauge.

The one wire sensor is for your temperature gauge. Take the newly purchased sensor out and put it in the correct location.

The ECTS sensor is located next to it toward the firewall. Look for the two wire. It is recessed. You will need a 13mm 6 point deep socket. Focus on the photos connected to the ECTS how-to...

Purchase the correct sensor at Advance or Autozone for the temperature gauge.


I have looked at the pics in the link several times but I am still unsure of the ECTS location. The car in the pics looks to be a much newer model than mine. Mine is a 92 A/T with the 1.9L I think it is. Is it between the firewall and the back of the engine or is it on the transmission end of the engine?

Look at photograph #6. Compare it to where your temperature gauge sensor is to the photograph. The car in the photo is likely a 1995 with an electronic EGR. I realize you have a different EGR.

Your ECTS is in the same position on the transmission side of the cylinder head. Take the air cleaner/intake assembly off and then from the driver's side fender look down to the side of the cylinder head. Follow the two wires.

Look at photograph #6. Compare it to where your temperature gauge sensor is to the photograph. The car in the photo is likely a 1995 with an electronic EGR. I realize you have a different EGR.

Your ECTS is in the same position on the transmission side of the cylinder head. Take the air cleaner/intake assembly off and then from the driver's side fender look down to the side of the cylinder head. Follow the two wires.

OK thanks.

OK I got everything changed now the fan does not seem to want to kick on. At what temp should it turn on? I watched it on my scanner and temp climbed all the way up too 210 degrees and the fan did not kick in.

The fan turn on for Generation 1 Saturn S series was always a sour note to most due to the temperature gauge installed. The temperature gauge will be near the red before the fan turns on which is said to be at 221F. It will stay on until it the gauges goes just below half.

If it doesn't turn on, check the fan itself, the coolant fan relay or return to the ECTS for quality connection. The connector for the ECTS carries very little voltage and if the ECTS has failed where coolant has come through, coolant corrodes the connector. The two wire connector is more expensive than the sensor. If you are near a junk yard, the connector for the AIT located near the air filter housing is the same.

Was the ECTS you replaced the original plastic resin? If it was, it likely was cracked and needing replacement badly.

Was the ECTS you replaced the original plastic resin? If it was, it likely was cracked and needing replacement badly.

I am not sure if it was the original or not. But it did not appear to have a crack in it nor was it leaking.