SES light rough idle after engine cleaning

debaser · 07-31-2002, 04:25 PM

I picked up my 98 SL2 (88,000 miles) today from the body shop where they had replaced part of the dashboard console that was damaged in a break-in. The car is now idling very rough and the SES light flashes. When I checked under the hood, I could tell that they had cleaned my engine while it was in for repair. There seems to be a thin coat of an Amor All type oil over every thing. Of course, the body shop claims that they didn't do anything that would cause this problem and that it must be a coincidence. I haven't been able to take it to have the codes read yet. Any thoughts on what might have happened and how I can fix it?

ssicarman · 07-31-2002, 07:36 PM

Check the spark plug wells for water. If they washed the engine down then they likely got water in there and the wires are arching to ground by the plugs.

wolfman · 07-31-2002, 09:44 PM

A flashing SES light is almost always an indicator of a misfiring spark plug...as ssicarman said...plug wells have water in them or there is a short between 2 or more plug wires perhaps even at the coilpacks...check them all out for moisture and wipe the oily stuff off them as well.

92saturnsl2 · 07-31-2002, 09:47 PM

If you have an Autozone in your area (I know they're pretty much all over the US), you can take your car there, and they will read the code for free, and print you out details as to what the code entails. All it takes is a few minutes.

Dr. Bob · 07-31-2002, 10:19 PM

I had the same thing happen to my SL2 after a body shop had cleaned under the hood.

Darn thing sounded like the engine was falling apart until the water baked away from engine heat.

07-31-2002, 04:25 PM	#1
debaser New Member Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 2	SES light rough idle after engine cleaning I picked up my 98 SL2 (88,000 miles) today from the body shop where they had replaced part of the dashboard console that was damaged in a break-in. The car is now idling very rough and the SES light flashes. When I checked under the hood, I could tell that they had cleaned my engine while it was in for repair. There seems to be a thin coat of an Amor All type oil over every thing. Of course, the body shop claims that they didn't do anything that would cause this problem and that it must be a coincidence. I haven't been able to take it to have the codes read yet. Any thoughts on what might have happened and how I can fix it?

07-31-2002, 09:44 PM	#3
wolfman Super Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Texas Posts: 12,066 wolfman's Photos	A flashing SES light is almost always an indicator of a misfiring spark plug...as ssicarman said...plug wells have water in them or there is a short between 2 or more plug wires perhaps even at the coilpacks...check them all out for moisture and wipe the oily stuff off them as well. ... Old Saturns never die, people KILL them, so check your damn oil! "Unthinking respect for authority is the greatest enemy of truth." Albert Einstein

07-31-2002, 09:47 PM	#4
92saturnsl2 Advanced Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Colorado Springs, CO Posts: 712	codes If you have an Autozone in your area (I know they're pretty much all over the US), you can take your car there, and they will read the code for free, and print you out details as to what the code entails. All it takes is a few minutes.

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07-31-2002, 07:36 PM	#2
ssicarman Super Member Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Western Canada Posts: 10,470 ssicarman's Photos	Check the spark plug wells for water. If they washed the engine down then they likely got water in there and the wires are arching to ground by the plugs.

07-31-2002, 10:19 PM	#5
Dr. Bob Master Member Join Date: Mar 2000 Location: SE Minnesota Posts: 2,041	I had the same thing happen to my SL2 after a body shop had cleaned under the hood. Darn thing sounded like the engine was falling apart until the water baked away from engine heat.

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