SL2 weird slow startup

CKyAlliance07 · 03-10-2006, 07:39 PM

Okay so every so often my 97 SL2 would have a real slow startup. I would hold the key in the on position for a good 5+ seconds. And when the car would finally kick in, it very slowly sputters/gargles to the normal RPMS. But after that, everything is fine. Car drives good. It has been doing this more and more often lately though, even if the engine is warm. I have a 5-speed with 91,000 miles now. Just got my oil changed last week, coolant replaced last month, and a new battery and alternator last december. Does anyone know what this problem could be?

Oh yes, and before my car died on me because the alternator gave out while in a parking lot, it would have poor startups pretty often and I just figured the batter and or alternator were giving out... After the new alternator and battery, things were great, now its just starting up again

eljefino · 03-10-2006, 10:40 PM

97? It's your fuel pump.

Turn the key to "on", not "start", wait those five seconds, then turn to start. It'll catch right away.

wolfman · 03-10-2006, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eljefino

97? It's your fuel pump.

Turn the key to "on", not "start", wait those five seconds, then turn to start. It'll catch right away.

Rest assured this DOES NOT mean that your fuel pump is about to fail! The 97's had MINOR ISSUES with hot restarts related to the antidrainback valve in the fuel pump. You DO NOT need to rush out and spent $400+ to replace the pump. Just follow the suggestion offered above. An easier way to remember it is:

Sit in driver's seat.
Turn key to RUN (dash lights come on)
Put on seat belt
Start car

Just that little delay, the time it takes you to put on your seatbelt, (something you'd do anyway...right? ) with the key in RUN, is all it will take.

CKyAlliance07 · 03-10-2006, 10:49 PM

thanks fellas I'll be sure to do that!

CKyAlliance07 · 03-12-2006, 12:16 PM

okay yesterday I tried it and the car did start alot better but just the one time it gargled to a start. But it was a quick start.

andy_95sl2 · 03-12-2006, 01:19 PM

yay!!

CKyAlliance07 · 03-12-2006, 01:21 PM

but that gargling is annoying! It sounds like the car is about to die out!

03-10-2006, 07:39 PM	#1
CKyAlliance07 Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 567 CKyAlliance07's Photos 1997 SL2 1994 SL2	SL2 weird slow startup Okay so every so often my 97 SL2 would have a real slow startup. I would hold the key in the on position for a good 5+ seconds. And when the car would finally kick in, it very slowly sputters/gargles to the normal RPMS. But after that, everything is fine. Car drives good. It has been doing this more and more often lately though, even if the engine is warm. I have a 5-speed with 91,000 miles now. Just got my oil changed last week, coolant replaced last month, and a new battery and alternator last december. Does anyone know what this problem could be? Oh yes, and before my car died on me because the alternator gave out while in a parking lot, it would have poor startups pretty often and I just figured the batter and or alternator were giving out... After the new alternator and battery, things were great, now its just starting up again ... I sold my SL2 as of 6/08 :(

03-10-2006, 10:40 PM	#2
eljefino Master Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Standish Maine Posts: 5,788 eljefino's Photos 1995 SW1 2000 SL1	Re: SL2 weird slow startup 97? It's your fuel pump. Turn the key to "on", not "start", wait those five seconds, then turn to start. It'll catch right away.

03-10-2006, 10:49 PM	#4
CKyAlliance07 Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 567 CKyAlliance07's Photos 1997 SL2 1994 SL2	Re: SL2 weird slow startup thanks fellas I'll be sure to do that! ... I sold my SL2 as of 6/08 :(

03-12-2006, 12:16 PM	#5
CKyAlliance07 Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 567 CKyAlliance07's Photos 1997 SL2 1994 SL2	Re: SL2 weird slow startup okay yesterday I tried it and the car did start alot better but just the one time it gargled to a start. But it was a quick start. ... I sold my SL2 as of 6/08 :(

03-12-2006, 01:19 PM	#6
andy_95sl2 Master Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Grafenwoehr, Germany Posts: 3,207 andy_95sl2's Photos	Re: SL2 weird slow startup yay!! ... 2004 Jeep Wrangler Rubicon -> daily & toy =) 2009 BMW 128i -> sold 2003 VW GTI 1.8T -> wrecked 1998 Saturn SL2 -> parted out 1995 Saturn SL2 -> sold 1995 Saturn SL2 -> sold

03-12-2006, 01:21 PM	#7
CKyAlliance07 Advanced Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: SE Pennsylvania Posts: 567 CKyAlliance07's Photos 1997 SL2 1994 SL2	Re: SL2 weird slow startup but that gargling is annoying! It sounds like the car is about to die out! ... I sold my SL2 as of 6/08 :(

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