'98 SL2 Weird Starting Problem

moonak98SL2 · 10-22-2005, 05:16 PM

Have a constant weird problem that has ocurred randomly since I got the car 6 months ago...every now and then, when I go to start the car, the rpm's shoot upwards (like it would during normal ignition) but rather than settling in a nice idle, the rpms simply drop back to zero and the car will die. Unless I give it some gas, the car will not start, but just repeat this process. Once the car starts and establishes an idle, you can turn it off and restart it no problem. I dunno what's wrong or if there's even anything to be worried about. I get no SES light and this only happens randomly and infrequently. Other than these random ocurrences, ignition seems great. Any ideas?

WingsOfSaturn · 10-22-2005, 05:42 PM

Have you changed out your ECTS?

moonak98SL2 · 10-22-2005, 06:33 PM

Yup, the ECTS and connector were both new a long time before I bought the car. I checked them.

Just seems really random...not really sure how to pinpoint the problem...

sincitysl2 · 10-23-2005, 10:16 AM

I had a problem just like this awhile back and mine ending up being my fuel pump. Instead of holding pressure it would bleed it off after sitting for awhile. To check this, get your car running for a couple of minutes, Shut of the car and hook up a fuel pressure test gauge and watch the pressure for awhile. If the pressure drops than it's probably the pump.

10-22-2005, 05:16 PM	#1
moonak98SL2 Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 31	'98 SL2 Weird Starting Problem Have a constant weird problem that has ocurred randomly since I got the car 6 months ago...every now and then, when I go to start the car, the rpm's shoot upwards (like it would during normal ignition) but rather than settling in a nice idle, the rpms simply drop back to zero and the car will die. Unless I give it some gas, the car will not start, but just repeat this process. Once the car starts and establishes an idle, you can turn it off and restart it no problem. I dunno what's wrong or if there's even anything to be worried about. I get no SES light and this only happens randomly and infrequently. Other than these random ocurrences, ignition seems great. Any ideas?

10-22-2005, 05:42 PM	#2
WingsOfSaturn Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 1,598 WingsOfSaturn's Photos 1998 SL2 1995 SL2	Re: '98 SL2 Weird Starting Problem Have you changed out your ECTS? ... "When you stop to fill up on oil, don't forget to check the gas" 98 SL2 MT 213K+ Daily Driver 38+ mpg 97 SL2 AT 150K Original Owner 95 SL2 MT 220K+ My Saturns have BRASS ones!

10-22-2005, 06:33 PM	#3
moonak98SL2 Junior Member Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 31	Re: '98 SL2 Weird Starting Problem Yup, the ECTS and connector were both new a long time before I bought the car. I checked them. Just seems really random...not really sure how to pinpoint the problem...

10-23-2005, 10:16 AM	#4
sincitysl2 Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Sin City Nevada Posts: 76 sincitysl2's Photos 1999 SL2	Re: '98 SL2 Weird Starting Problem I had a problem just like this awhile back and mine ending up being my fuel pump. Instead of holding pressure it would bleed it off after sitting for awhile. To check this, get your car running for a couple of minutes, Shut of the car and hook up a fuel pressure test gauge and watch the pressure for awhile. If the pressure drops than it's probably the pump.

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