Saturn (car)

The "check engine" light, (known to mechanics as the Malfunction Indicator Light, MIL), indicates that the computer has detected a fault with the controls. Most of the faults that the computer can detect do not result in a total shutdown of the engine, but all affect the performance, efficiency or emissions.

To turn off the MIL, read the computer code by using a code reader. They are available at most auto parts retailers, and many retailers will even help you read the code.

Once you have determined what's wrong, you should be able to replace or repair the offending part and the light should shut off.

Inspect vacuum lines & test intake manifold vacuum to detect vacuum leaks. If none are found, continue. (Depending on who you ask, good vacuum at idle is either 15-18"Hg or 14-18". If it's lower than 14, you'll definitely want to carefully trace all vacuum lines & connections.)

Remove the map sensor from the intake manifold. Set your volt meter to 5 or more volts. Turn the car key to the on/run position; do not start the car. Disconnect the connector & use your volt meter to verify that the supply wire is supplying 5 volts (probably the wire closest to the firewall). If it does not, fix that problem before continuing. Reconnect the connector. Carefully cut away just a little bit of sheathing from the signal wire (probably the one in the middle; cut just enough to expose enough wire to make contact with your volt meter's test probe). Remove the sleave from the MAP's nipple, and connect a vacuum pump to it. Measure the voltage from the sensor's signal wire as follows: 4.9V@0"Hg; 3.8V@6"Hg; 2.7V@12"Hg; and 1.0V@20"Hg. Every 3 inches of mercury is about 1/2 Volt difference in the output signal. So if your test is much off the above voltages, and you're getting an OBDII code that indicates a MAP circuit fault, replace your MAP sensor.

remove the 2 t15 screws in the taillight remove the assy. turn bulb socket out and replace

Push in the balance button(also volume) and push seek button it is labeled hours or minutes.

Yes. Antifreeze is actually pumped through the intake manifold. If the gasket is bad it is possible that it leaks out

When disk brake rotors get old they usually warp a little, causing disk brake "chatter". Fortunately, the rotors are easy to replace, even for a novice. It will probably cost you around $200.00 to $300.00 to have a shop do it for you. It's common to all vehicles with disk brakes and can be caused when the brakes overheat typically when going down long hills with the brakes on. In addition to the above answer, you may not need to replace the rotors. Take them to a machine shop at your local Auto Parts store and see if they can be turned. If so this usually cost around $10 per rotor. Be sure and replace the pads on both wheels, clean everything up with spray brake cleaner, and lube the slide pins unless they are corroded. If they are corroded very badly, replace them. You have warped brake rotors. You will need a brake inspection. They may find that all you need is resurfacing the brake rotors or they may find that your brake pads are worn out as well, and that you need a brake job. The rotors will have to be measured to see if they have not worn down too thin to resurface. The rotors have to be above a predetermined minimum thickness in order to be safe to use. If they are worn too thin, then they will have to be replaced.

under the power steering pump

on the passenger side near the fire wall (back of engine)

to get it out you will need to get under the car there is a long bold and a short bolt and remember to take the serpentine belt off first!!!

also the connector might be hard to get at but after its un bolted gently pry it up with a screwdriver and pop it out

1. Remove the cover of the underhood fuse box.(uhfb), which is located under the hood.

2. With the ignition key in RUN but the engine off, press the red OIL RESET button and hold for 5 seconds.

3.If the CHANGE "OIL SOON light is flashing, the system is reset. The light will flash for up to 30 seconds or until the ignition is turned off.

4.If the light comes on again and stays on for 30 seconds at the next ignition cycle, it did not reset. Reset the system again.

When you say "cooling fan", do you mean the radiator fan or the cabin air fan? If the radiator fan and the compressor are failing to come on, it could just be low refrigerant but in either case there is no guarantee that any single component would cause what you describe. It could be a fuse, relay, controls, connector or any of a number of possible causes.

i have a 1997 Saturn sc2

410xxx miles

my friend is at 560xxx on his sl1

if you treat a Saturn well

it will last a lifetime

if you don't

you will cry

You will need to remove the inside door panel. Remove the door handle retaining screws. Remove the linkage from the back of the door handle.

bellpey@yahoo.com

It should be on the vehicle registration. You can also open the hood and look at the engine. If it says, "Twin Cam" or something like that, it is an SL2. Also, if the plug wires go in the top, it's an SL2.. If they go in the front at an angle, then it's and SL1. An SL doesn't have power steering. The pump will be noticeably absent. also a good way to tell is if the bumpers and door handles are the same color as the car or not. If they are it is a SL2, if not and SL1. Another way would be if there is a reflector going across the whole length of the trunk, so as that it looks like the tail lights go all the away across. Sl2's have that, SL1's dont.

That depends on the model. Saturn made the SC, which was the "sports coupe", could be considered a sports car; and the Sky was definitely a sports car.

I believe there is none, it has an Electronic power steering. They replaced mine on my 2003 ION.

There is a dip stick on top of transmission; check as you would the engine oil. Look for dip stick directly under rear edge of battery; it has red plastic handle.

****Manual transmissions use engine oil and do not have a separate dipstick. Whomever answered this question prior did not read it closely.

The 1st answer explains how to check AUTOmatic transmission fluid. The 2nd answer makes no sense. The transmission does not use engine oil or else you would be buying 2 jugs of oil for your oil changes.

"The 2nd answer makes no sense."

Then explain why the average 4 cylinder engine (automatic) uses about 3 quarts of oil and the average 4 cylinder (manual) uses closer to 5 quarts. I have owned 2 4 cylinder 5 speed vehicles, a 1991 Honda Civic SI and a 1997 Saturn SL2, BOTH have no separate place to add "trans fluid", they only have the spot for oil on top of the engine and an oil dipstick. They also use more oil than their automatic counterparts, with the exception of the SI, which only came manual, so it's closest relative would have been the 1991 Honda Civic EX.

NONE OF YOU GUYS MAKE SENSE A A SATURN TAKES 4 QUARTS ON ENGINE OIL NO MATTER IF ITS AUTO OR NOT , AND IF YOUR SATURN IS MANUAL TRANS IT TAKES DEXRON 3 TRANNY OIL, AND THE DIP STICK IS BEHIND THE BATTERY ON THE TRANNY AND THAT IS THE SAME PLACE YOU FILL IT, JUST AS YOU WOULD YOUR AUTOMATIC

P.S THEYRE SEPERATE

The last responder is absolutely right. If you have ABS the dipstick may be hard to see unless you move the air intake hose out of the way. I am quite shocked to see a manual transmission use ATF fluid, but they are absolutely right on this. I have never checked it since owning the car and found out I was low on fluid. It is light pink (if your tranny is still in good shape) and absolutely has a dipstick. If you don't know what it looks like, the owners manual has a picture. My previous response was based on the only other car I have owned that was a 5 speed. Obviously these are 2 entirely different animals.

my bad, i just had to set the record straight, lots of cars that are 5 speed take ATF dodges, some mistus and alot of GM i beleieve

I just did a 96 SL2 DOHC block swap into a 2k SW2 DOHC. My sister loves those crappy Saturns. She blows up one every 9 months. :P Before you go to all that trouble you might want to consider getting a non-GM car... You know, one that won't fall apart as soon as you finish an overhaul on it.

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All Saturn S-Series blocks are compatible with all Saturn S-series heads. Just make sure that you change EVERYTHING related to the timing chain. (Timing cover, cam and crank sprockets, tensioner, and guides.) These all need to be from the engine that the head is from.

Also, use the intake manifold from the head... even if the sensors don't plug up. You might have to splice the plugs in that are compatible with your manifold.

The exhaust may need to be changed also, but if you can get the one that came with the head to fit properly then use it.

If you run into the problem I did of the exhaust pipe not being able to mount up to the right manifold and not hang on the bottom of the engine, you must be very careful and tap holes for the other style manifold. WARNING: You WILL run into water galleys when you do this! I recommend coating the threads of the bolts with JB Weld or some other kind of "cold weld" product before putting them in and tightening them fully. Allow this to dry for a day before adding water.

It's best to tape the manifold gasket to the head, running it through the 3 studs that line up on both manifold styles (on bottom - far corners and center) so that it doesn't shift. That will give you a good marker on where to tap the holes. AVOID tapping holes in front of the #1 cylinder else you may run through both an oil and a water galley. This will turn your motor into crap faster than my sister would. :P

The speed sensor is located on the far backside of the transmission. the unit accually threads into the transmission case itself. the unit is very simple to replace once you get under the vehicle. please view my BIO for access to my Saturn help site. under the transmission folder is a picture of the speed sensor in relation to the transmission.

You reset the light by unhooking the battery for 30 minutes. But the light will come right back on after a couple of driving cycles. The light is on because the computer has detected a problem with the emissions system. Have the computer scanned and this will help to find out what is wrong.

"Power Brakes" are actually "vacuum assisted brakes", meaning that a vacuum diaphragm is used to provide additional force against the brake pedal as you attempt to stop your vehicle.

If the engine vacuum has decreased, through wear, timing issues or because of a vacuum leak, there will be considerably less of the vacuum assist available when you stop your vehicle.

First, check for a vacuum leak, and make certain that you include the vacuum assist module.

If there are no vacuum leaks, check the vacuum that the engine is creating; if that's not the problem then you may have a leaking or damaged master cylinder.

Not Applicable

The Saturn 4 cylinder, both the SOHC and DOHC used a chain, and it doesn't need to be replaced unless the engine has OTHER problems.

The sensor is located under the upper rad hose Directly below the hose is a sensor with 1 wire to it That is for the gauge Just behind and down from that is a sensor with 2 wires This is the fan sensor

The serpentine belt tension is not adjustable. It is set by a spring loaded idler pully. "Idler" just means that it is not used to drive anything. It is spring loaded to tension the belt and control belt position. The bracket for the idler pully has a square hole in it that is used to compress the spring during belt installation or removal. You can put a 1/2" drive ratchet or breaker bar in the square opening and apply pressure against the spring to remove the old belt or install a new one. Ratchets and breaker bars are normally used with a socket to loosen nuts, but no socket is required to use them in the idler pully bracket. If your belt is making noise or looks loose it probably needs to be replaced. Typical belt life is 3-5 years. The tension is set with an automatic tensioner. It must be replaced.

The life of your catalytic converter depends on the condition of the engine and the fuel you're using.

If the fuel has the wrong additives, the catalytic converter can become plugged up.

If the engine burns oil the oil vapor will build up on the catalytic converter and it can become plugged.

Otherwise, if the catalytic converter isn't plugged, don't replace it.

If just the clock display is remaining on, it's not a problem and is probably deliberate. The LCD of the clock uses so little electrical energy that it is effectively not a drain on the battery AT ALL.

Note that LCD watches use a battery that is the size of a dime, and last over a year. The battery in your Saturn stores thousands of times more electrical energy than does the little watch battery.

On the other hand...

If the radio is staying on, you either have a problem with the keyswitch, or someone has wired the radio to a "hot" connection.