Spit Sputter Die.....hard to restart

[emmaandleesmom]

Okay...here we go. I thought all the bugs were worked out...not my luck. My 97 Saturn SL2 DOHC 1.9l had issues this morning. Husband started it and when I got to the car I turned it off to switch our keys out and when I restarted it spit and sputtered and DIED. Would crank but didn't want to restart. He checked to make sure it was getting fire and gas...no problems. He even changed the spark plugs to be sure. After getting aggravated with it I finally held the gas to the floor (which I know I shouldn't do) and it started but ran rough for a few minutes. Not problems since. What could have happened and what should I check to ensure it doesn't happen again. Also what should the Idle RPM's be in gear and in park?

Thanks

[RC1488]

Your ECTS is bad. Replace it with a brass one. Holding the pedal down shuts off the injectors, allowing the extra gas in the engine to be burned and clear the "flood".

I have posted a video for the ECTS R&R.

Normal RPM is ~750 in N and ~900 in park. Anything above 1K is to high.

PS. Love the Username

[emmaandleesmom]

I know this is going to be a stupid question but what exactly is the ECTS?

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by emmaandleesmom

I know this is going to be a stupid question but what exactly is the ECTS?

Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor. I believe I suggested replacing this in your other thread.

This one sensor is Vital to many subsytems of the car including idle rpms, air/fuel mixture, fan control, emissions diagnostics, Fuel delivery control and tranny operations.

When it goes bad it tells the PCM the car is cold and so the PCM will make the mixture Richer and dump loads of fuel into the engine. This then floods the engine and you cant start it.

[emmaandleesmom]

Thank you, I am having my husband change this tonight and I will let you know the outcome.

[RC1488]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC0U53w_Htk

[emmaandleesmom]

Okay My husband changed the temp sensor and it has a crack from the tip all the way up the side? normal?

[RC1488]

Nope. Thats your issue. Put a new brass one in following the Video

[emmaandleesmom]

It has been replaced with a brass one and today my temp hand actually showed to be warming up. It did move before but it took hours to get to the quarter mark. So far no trouble. Also the car idles lower than it did with the old peice in there. Does that sound right? Can anyone tell me where the temp hand should run?

[RC1488]

Temp should read 3/8's as per the gauge. Anything less and that suggest your thermostat is no good.

A lower, smoother idle should be noticed.

[emmaandleesmom]

My cars gauge is spit into four. c 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and H which of course is in the red and we are running at 1/2 unless I have to sit in traffic and then it goes a little higher than that but the fan kicks on and brings it back down. It is a lower smoother idle to the point I think my car died because I can't hear it running anymore. Before the peice was changed I was running a little over a thousand RPMs while sitting at a red light. now we are down around 7-800

[RC1488]

Originally Posted by emmaandleesmom

My cars gauge is spit into four. c 1/4, 1/2, 3/4 and H which of course is in the red and we are running at 1/2 unless I have to sit in traffic and then it goes a little higher than that but the fan kicks on and brings it back down. It is a lower smoother idle to the point I think my car died because I can't hear it running anymore. Before the peice was changed I was running a little over a thousand RPMs while sitting at a red light. now we are down around 7-800

Drive the car with the new Brass Sensor. Then post what your highway temps are.

Before those temp readings are Void since your ECTS was cracked.

[emmaandleesmom]

almost half is where i'm running with the new sensor...i've been driving it for two days with the new sensor in it. before it just barely showed warm.