Hi all, got an issue (or issues) with the 93 Saturn beater.

1) When I first start it after it's sat for a while (typically 8+ hours, but once after just a couple), it won't idle and won't accellerate (even with the tranny in neutral giving it gas just kills it). After a minute or so it acts fine.

2) I don't think the engine fan is coming on. Temperature in stop-and-go traffic climbs rapidly.

3) 90% of the time, the car wants to idle at about 2200 rpm. I can't find any factor that would seem to make the difference what speed it idles at.

The temperature gauge on the dash reads fine.

The idle issue has been ongoing for a month or so now. The stalling has been just a couple of weeks. Not sure about the temperature thing, stop-and-go traffic is rare enough that it could have been like this for 6 months and I wouldn't have known.

I don't know if these are related. I'm an injection-idiot, but I was thinking that if there were a temp sensor just for the computer (since the one on the dash reads fine) and it was stuck on "cold", it could explain these - can anyone confirm that I'm right, or give pointers as to what could be the actual cause?

Thanks.

Derek

There are two senders on the side of the head on the driver's side. One is for the gauge and one is for the computer. The one wire is for the gauge. The two wire is for the computer. There are updated parts for both of those available from saturn. As for your sticking idle saturn's are known for the throttle body coaking. Remove the air cleaner snout and clean the throttle plate with some intake cleaner and a brush. Is the check engine light on (or service engine soon light)? Check for corrosion down at the coil terminals where the plug wires connect to. Also depending on the type of valve cover, the tube seals like to leak oil in to the cylinder tubes where the plug wires go into. Some use a gasket and other use silicone. E-mail me if you like.

Hi, thanks for responding.

The SES light isn't coming on.

Do you think I'm on the right track with the temp sender for the computer?

What would the effects of the coil terminal corrosion or tube seal leaks be?