1996 Saturn Sl2 strange response to pressing the gas pedal

[nbkyqks]

Thanks in advance!

Two issues that may or may not be related:

1) After driving for 3 or 4 miles, The Service Engine Light came on and I felt a distinct fluttering in the response of the car...while keeping the gas pedal at the same point. Felt like I was running out of gas...unfortunately I know what that feels like from the past in other cars...never ran out of gas in this car though.

This has happened to me alot lately, so I knew what was going to happen next...when I approach a stop light and am downshifting, the car is likely to stall out unless I throw it in neutral coasting in AND punch the gas. Once I do that, the car will idle fine for a while...but this will happen again shortly.

2) This problem went away but is back...From first gear to second up to 3K RPM...fine, Second gear to third fine, third to forth fine most of the time but if I'm pulling a hill I notice the RMP increasing fast (starting at around 2500), but not getting the response I would expect...bascially the car stays at the same speed while the RPMs are dramatically increasing...forth to fifth (especially on a hill) I almost always notice this dramatic increase in RPM's with no change in the power of the car. I expect to feel an acceleration when the RPMs increase this much.

[bluesl2]

The ses light and driveability problem sounds like it may be an egr problem but get the code read first.

[nbkyqks]

I appreciate your response...I got the SES code from Advance Auto Parts...1406.

Does that tell you anything?

[PurdueGuy]

year/model/trans type?

[nbkyqks]

1996 SL2...5 speed

[flyhop]

P1406 EGR Valve Pintle Position Circuit - Read Our Article on EGR Valve Codes For Help With This Saturn Check Engine Light Code

from this site: http://www.engine-light-help.com/sat...ine-light.html

Use search engine in here for how-tos (i.e. How-To Library) on EGR cleaning.

[bluesl2]

And if that don't work, change the egr valve.

[flyhop]

Before going to the expense of a new EGR valve, try this first.

Given you got the error code, I'd try cleaning our your EGR first. Put it back on, clear the codes, and go for a drive. Better? Then, problem solved. No better? Try blocking it off per Richpin's video. In essence, you block off the EGR valve ports, and then drive it. If the problem goes away, it's your EGR valve.

Rich's video is here. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YRq2...e=channel_page

Let us know how things work out. If you have to get a new one and money's tight, try pulling one off a similar Saturn at a boneyard.

[ishekhar]

I had a similiar pattern (hesitant start, typically takes 2-3 attempt to start the car) and the car runs heavy and the error code flashed p1406.

Tried cleaning the EGR value but no luck.
Put in a brand new EGR value but still no luck.

any idea what could go wrong ? Since the EGR valve is now brand new, that would make some other problem, right ? Why this P1406 code then ?

thx,

[GeeWiggles]

Originally Posted by ishekhar

I had a similiar pattern (hesitant start, typically takes 2-3 attempt to start the car) and the car runs heavy and the error code flashed p1406.

Tried cleaning the EGR value but no luck.
Put in a brand new EGR value but still no luck.

any idea what could go wrong ? Since the EGR valve is now brand new, that would make some other problem, right ? Why this P1406 code then ?

thx,

sounds like you have a connection issue. Try taking the connector off and spraying some electrical cleaner inside and dangle it down, letting it dry completely. Inspect the connection on the EGR for any residual corrosion too as it might have gotten on the terminals. I had this code a few weeks back after I removed and cleaned my EGR and found that some corrosion had come loose when I removed the connector. After cleaning it out code went away and hasn't come back.

IF this doesn't work I'd be checking your connector and the wires leading from it for shorts. It's rare, but possible.

[jhall02sc2]

Would these cars be able to run right with egr blocked off and not plugged in?

[Tofutti]

Originally Posted by nbkyqks

Thanks in advance!

.....

2) This problem went away but is back...From first gear to second up to 3K RPM...fine, Second gear to third fine, third to forth fine most of the time but if I'm pulling a hill I notice the RMP increasing fast (starting at around 2500), but not getting the response I would expect...bascially the car stays at the same speed while the RPMs are dramatically increasing...forth to fifth (especially on a hill) I almost always notice this dramatic increase in RPM's with no change in the power of the car. I expect to feel an acceleration when the RPMs increase this much.

Does this sound to anybody else like a slipping clutch or other hydraulic problem? If the RPM's are spiking/increasing without a change of vehicle speed... Especially noticeable in higher gears and/or under higher load...

Just my two cents. I'm probably missing something if nobody else has mentioned it thus far.

[GeeWiggles]

Originally Posted by Tofutti

Does this sound to anybody else like a slipping clutch or other hydraulic problem? If the RPM's are spiking/increasing without a change of vehicle speed... Especially noticeable in higher gears and/or under higher load...

Just my two cents. I'm probably missing something if nobody else has mentioned it thus far.

Good point, if the engine is revving up and the car isn't accelerating, then there is a power transfer problem. This car ever had a new clutch installed?