95 SC1 Window issues and Temp Sensor issues

[JeffBaker]

'95 SC1 w/ 130,000 miles on it. Looses oil like most, about 1 quart every 1500 miles...


Two parts to this post:

1. The drivers side window (electric motor) will not go down...it also will not close all the way...is there an easy fix to this before I tear the door off and look? Also, if I pull the door off am I going to find the door was held on w/ crappy plastic pieces that will no longer hold the door on? I don't want to pull the door off, need a $200 motor from saturn for the window and then realize that I need a new door panel because the plastic brackets holding it on got all chewed up...

2. On the temperature guage, there is a light that flashes randomly. The light, I'm guessing, is a pressure sensor, basically saying the cooling system has no pressure...as if it were leaking antifreeze. Is this just the sensor on the coolant tank? At this point, I'm thinking about pulling the radiator and putting a new one in....the one I have is NASTY.

As far as longevity, do you guys have any idea the average life of these cars? It's been driven hard and it will continue to be driven hard...I just wonder where the disappearing oil is going and if it's worth the time/ money to look at my head gasket.....?

Thanks for the help!
jeff

[bigfoot2471]

number 1. the door panel is held on by rivots. little plastic pieces if you take it off carefully these can be reused and you wont be able to tell that you took the door off. however you might break some or you might break a lot and might have to buy some more. no idea on price. number 2 im not quite so sure on. first thing look in manual see what it says the light means instead of guessing. just a suggestion. oil consumption is not going to be a head gasket. however the head gasket might be were your coolent problem is. were is your oil going my guess is right out your tailpipe. i do not know about the sohc engines but the dohc are known for valve and spring problem. hope this helps you out a little.

[gt50]

1. Contact these guys http://6thplanetusedparts.com/ , I am sure it won't be 200 for a used motor.

2. The flashing light sounds like the low coolant light. Just add some more coolant when the engine is cold.

As said before, disappearing oil is valves/seals or piston rings.

[goldenrod]

Are you loosing coolant at all? The sensors somewhat commonly go bad and give faulty readings.