'98 SL1 starting problems

[jaimeleah]

My '98 saturn has had intermittant starting problems, especially as the weather gets colder. It requires giving it a little gas or sometimes practically flooding it to get it to catch, and then sometimes slowly feeding it gas to keep it from stalling out for up to 5 or 10 minutes. It runs very well once it gets going. What could be the problem? Thanks!

[Cat Fuzz]

Idle control solenoid. Sometimes you can clean out the throttle body to fix this. 'Giving it gas' while cranking actually doesn't give it any more gas at all. All you're doing is opening the throttle valve and compensating for an Idle control solenoid that isn't opening or that has a plugged passage.

[jaimeleah]

Thanks, my stepfather and I cleaned the throttle body and it seems to be starting pretty well.

[yaz4real]

AS well as cleaning out the throttle body with the IACV, you should see if your car has the original ECTS. The engine coolant temperature sensor ($15 ) is found on the the driver's side of the cylinder head. If it is the original plastic one, they are prone to cracking and giving false info the the PCM. It will cause hard starting issues to include flooding with fuel.

The ECTS is changed on a cold engine to prevent coolant loss. When changing, use a 13 mm deep six point socket.

You will notice a large difference in starting and fuel consumption. You will know why when you see the plastic tipped sensor.

[Yawn816]

Isn't it true that hitting the gas repetadly is detrimental the the engine with a fuel injected engine? I've tried telling my sister this and she does not believe me. But the engine has been flooded enough that the oil and plugs was needed to be changed once. Now there is oil comeing up thru and around the plugs on all four cylinders but she doesnt believe me that it was the cause.

[jaimeleah]

Now that the throttle body is clean, I'm no longer having idling issues and cold starts are no longer a problem...but the car is stalling out when the engine is warm. Any ideas?

[yaz4real]

You may now want to visit the EGR. Take it off and look under. Ensure the pintle operates smoothly and seats properly.

[jaimeleah]

It was the ECTS, thanks. It's now starting up great...but about 20 minutes after leaving the mechanic, the check engine light popped back on and this morning i'm noticing a lower than usual idle...about 500 rpms. What gives?

[yaz4real]

Stop by an auto store where they will read your OBD II computer system for free. Get the codes and post them here exactly as they read.

The store will advise you to buy a part in correlation to the code but wait and do the post here.