I have a 1998 SL2 that has 103,000 mile on it. The problem I am now having
regards a starting problem. While the engine is cold, either in the
morning or sitting at the office all day, I have no problem starting the
car. If I drive it for more than a few miles, turn it off to go into a
store for a few minutes then come out and try and start it then I have
trouble. I will turn the key 3 to 4 times before it will finally start. At
first I thought it may be the battery, had it replaced and it still does
the same thing.

Any suggestions????

That is not an uncommon problem for a starter to act up once it is heated up.
Also it takes more power to turn over a heater engine verses a cooled engine,
especially if the timing is advanced.

Unless you have a corroded, loose cable issue, I would suspect the starter.

James

Just another idea that might be a lot cheaper to remedy than the starter--
anyone think it might be the coolant temp sensor? Would that account for
the engine being easy to start when cold, but hard to start when hot
(fuel mixture too lean)?

I just replaced the starter on my 94 SC2. Went out of my way to buy an
AC/Delco reman., because I've always read good things about them.
Unfortunately, after nine days, it failed. One morning, it started the car
okay,
but then the starter motor wouldn't stop running, even with the ignition
turned off.
Had to run into the house and get a wrench to disconnect the battery.
I'd never heard of one going like that before, but the diagnoses was right in
the
shop manual. Luckily it happened at home.

Dave





Chrisy wrote:

Dave, Thanks for the info. since the car has over 104,000 miles on it and
the starter is the original I'm going to try replacining it today. Don't
really know how involved of a job it will be but I guess I'll find out in
a bit.

The last starter I changed was on a 65 Ford Fairlane. 2 bolts, 2 wires, 10
minutes. I'm sure it will be a little more involved than that. Auto Zone
has a starter for $79.00 so it's not really going to be a great expense.
If this doesn't correct the problem then I'll next try your suggestion and
replace the coolant censor.

Thanks again!

Wow, I'd like to do any job on a car in 10 minutes! $79 is a good price too.

I was in a bind and wound up paying $160 at Pep Boys, because the store
was in walking distance and I wanted to drive to work that afternoon.
You'll probably be finished by the time you see this post, but even though
the SC starter is in an awkward spot, it's not too tough to replace.

The worst part is the top retaining bolt. With a socket wrench extension,
it's
accessible from underneath the car. It just takes a little fumbling to get
the socket
on the bolt, since it isn't visible from underneath the starter.
Good luck,

Dave

Chrisy wrote:

Well Dave, like I stated, that was a 65 Ford Fairlane. As you know, that
car had plenty of room to work in. As I remember there was about a 4 to 6
inch clearencs all around the starter. Yeah, I thought $79.00 was a good
price also which is why I was going to just replace it.

Well, I jacked the Saturn up yesterday and could not even locate the
starter. I jacked up the driver side first then the passenger side and was
amazed how little space there was. I had a flash light and a detailed
manual and still couldn't see anything that looked like a starter. Had
some friends also try and find it with no success.

I was able to get the car back to the house so next week I'll just put it
in the shop and let an actual mechanic look at it. I have always believed
not to dive in waters you know little about.

Thanks again for your help.

I had the same problem with my '98 SL. It started fine cold, but would turn
over longer and not catch when it was warm. In my case it was the fuel
pressure regulator. I had that replaced and haven't had a problem since.

Be careful if you take it in somewhere, though. The first place I went to
said it was the fuel pump and would be around $450 to replace. I got the
pressure regulator replaced for half that.

"Chrisy" <ricbolin (AT) aol (DOT) com> wrote

Thanks Richard,
I did take it to a mechanic yesterday and is was indeed the starter. He
replaced the old one with a AC Delco starter. The starter cost $174.50 and
he charged $52.00 labor. I felt he was more than fair. Best of all, no more
problems getting the car started.