Saturn S-Series

Hold it! Your engine oil needs to be changed every 3000 MILES not 3 MONTHS...?? does this clear it up? Also, I recommend having an "oil flush" twice a year to keep the inside of the engine clean (ask your oil changer) Good luck:) Dave tradertaippan@yahoo.com It can cause sludge buildup in the ring grooves and all over the inside of the engine. It can cause excessive piston ring wear, excessive wear to the rod and main bearings, pitting and wear to the cam and lifters and in general premature failure of the engine. But that's about it, so go ahead and ignore the routine maintenance, then you can buy a new engine or maybe even a new vehicle.

Sits an inch or two left of the control buttons. Be very carfeful when removing the overhead light cover, the plastic tabs break very easily. Headliner is attached with a bunch of hook & loop.

It's located on the passenger side of the engine compartment, on the front of the engine block, to the right (as viewed from the front of the motor) of the exhaust manifold. http://www.thirdworldcounty.us/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/1997-SL-1-thermostat-housing.jpg Shows one bolt (of two) on the thermostat housing and a portion of the passenger side radiator hose. Note: there is supposed to be a "/" between the "09" and the "1997-SL-1-thermostat-housing.jpg" but whenever I save the text that way, it saves without the "/" in that location.

It is important to have the manual for a car for repairs. A manual can be found on many car forum websites.

Unfortunately yes. The Saturn motor is considered an Interference motor. When the chain breaks the neutral landing position of the camshafts will allow valves to be open, as the engine slows down from its rotating mass it will bend these open valves.

Check the relays and fuses.

Usually, the RPM guage wont jump when u try to crank it.

Looking at the engine from the front of the car, the cyclinders are consecutive left to right, 1-2-3-4. On the coil, however, it's 4-1-2-3, again looking left to right. Hope that helps.

I have a 92 SC and there's a detailed fuse list in the owners manual. If you don't have 1 there are lots on ebay.

The speed sensor is located on the top of the trans-axle just behind the shift linkage. it screws into the trans-axle. it usually takes a wrench, about a 3/4 to a 7/8, normally.

The '97 Saturn series (SL, SC, SW) used 2 basic engines.

The SL2, SC2 and SW2 used the dual cam engines, which were identical.

The SL, SC and SW used the single cam engines, which were identical.

The computers were a little different, as well as a couple other issues, but if you stayed with a single cam for single cam vehicles or a dual cam for dual cam vehicles, they were compatible.

The above is correct, but keep in mind, the second half of 2000, all of 2001 and 2002 as well came with factory electronic smog pump systems. The engine design is identical for installation, but the newer engine systems run different cylinder heads allowing for a secondary air system to flow into the exhaust mainifold. The EGR valve systems, although they look the same, have a different programing for exhaust flow. I have not yet been able to modify a 2001 saturn with smog to accept a 1997 non-smog engine without swaping cylinder heads.

When you first turn on the ignition the indicator lights should briefly illuminate to demonstrate that they are working. If the light stays on after the test cycle, it is an indication that something is wrong.

All cars have only one thermostat.

When I had my 97 Saturn I asked my mechanic that same question. I was told there is no timing belt on this car. The engine uses all gears.

Yes. IT can make the engine run to rich, and then cause misfires

See your service manual. Oil and filter every 3k. spark plugs every 60k. tranny fluid and filter (auto) every 15K (100K for a manual). These are just the basics

Link with GM's schdule

http://www.gm.ca/gm/english/services/goodwrench/schedule/model?vehicle=2000_saturn_s-series

hello, have you changed the spark plugs in this vehicle?

there is a fan controller underneath a plastic cover on top of the radiator

Yes, there is an alternator fuse for a 1992 Saturn SL2. It is easy to replace and is found in the fuse box of this car.

the wire is Yellow coming out of the ignition switch going to the Neutural safety switch, then purple from the neutual safety switch to the starter

The same way you do with any other car.

No

There are torque to yield bolts

One time use bolts......spend the extra 20 dollars

it will save you a headache in the long run

It uses two cables because one cable is used to pull the gear selector toward Low and the other cable is to pull the gear selector toward Park. If one is bad, you should always replace both.

It's expensive because they are somewhat annoying and time consuming to get to, and each cable costs typically over $40.

You really shouldn't expect to get out of a shop for under $200 labor, so it's about right.

First check the coolant level. Make sure its full. The sensor is quite sensitive if the level gets to low. If it is low, then you have a leak somewhere and need to persue it. If its not low, then I would suggest taking the resiviour out and cleaning it with soap and water. The sensor can sometimes get junk stuck in it. If that doesn help then a new sensor is needed however you can NOT just by the sensor. You need to buy the entire resiviour tank.

Yes