94 SL2 many small problems.

[Grommz2000]

I have a 1994 SL2 saturn. I've had it for two years and have kept up with it as regular maintenance goes. The cooling fan has never worked on its own, I used to start the A/C to get the engine to cool, things worked fine that way. Now the A/C no longer works (reason not known, fan related?) and pushing the button no longer starts the cooling fan (motor of cooling fan does work). Also, the radio has never been able to "remember" the time, it always goes to 12:00 although my battery is new. I like this car, it has been good to me for 2 years and I only paid $600 for it. I don't really consider it to be the type of car to put much money into but I wouldn't mind correcting these small annoyances if anyone has some suggestions. The car has 173,000 miles on it.

The car also went through a brief period of time where the oil light would come on when I accelerated or went uphill. That problem seems to have gone away after an oil change but I am curious if anyone else has experienced this...

also, some advice, never spill soda on the center console, the soda can fry a module under there which can cause the chime to stick on and the gauges to fail.

[peppermrj]

Just played with the fan on my daughters 96SC2. it would not come on with the AC which did not work. Chances are the AC has a leak somewhere. It could be as simple as a connection or a major part. There is a pressure switch that will not allow the AC compressor to engage with out enough refrigerant. You can briefly jump the connector with a paper clip to see it the compressor engages.

Have you ever changed the coolant temp sensor? They go bad almost always with age and higher mileage. With out proper input from this sensor the PCM will not know to turn the fan on.

Good luck.

[Grommz2000]

Originally Posted by peppermrj

Just played with the fan on my daughters 96SC2. it would not come on with the AC which did not work. Chances are the AC has a leak somewhere. It could be as simple as a connection or a major part. There is a pressure switch that will not allow the AC compressor to engage with out enough refrigerant. You can briefly jump the connector with a paper clip to see it the compressor engages.

Have you ever changed the coolant temp sensor? They go bad almost always with age and higher mileage. With out proper input from this sensor the PCM will not know to turn the fan on.

Good luck.

Thanks, I don't know where that connection is that I could jump with a paperclip for a second to see if it engages. Does the A/C turn on if the cooling fan is not on? I will try changing the coolant temp sensor, I think I know where that is.



thanks a lot.

[peppermrj]

Originally Posted by Grommz2000

Thanks, I don't know where that connection is that I could jump with a paperclip for a second to see if it engages. Does the A/C turn on if the cooling fan is not on? I will try changing the coolant temp sensor, I think I know where that is.



thanks a lot.

The pressure sensor is easy it is on one of the ac hoses. Just look for the electrical wires leading to it. don't know if the fan would prevent the ac from turning on. check out these links for a helpful how to on changing the coolant sensor. Changing the ECTS Coolant Temp Sensor (with pictures)

Changing the ECTS (Engine Coolant Temp Sensor)

[peppermrj]

A quick update on the ac pressure switch. The one on my daughters 96 SC2 is on a metal line between the underhood fuse box and the strut tower.