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99 saturn shuts off while driving
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guy580
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Jun 19, 2010, 8:23 PM
Post #1 of 9
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99 saturn shuts off while driving
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1999
Saturn
SL
110,000 miles
It has happened three times in the last week. While driving at highway speeds for about 20-30 min, the engine just shuts off. It starts up again but one time could only get about 10 mph until it was shut off for a while. I had the fuel pump checked and they said it had good pressure. They also said that the fuel filter wouldn't make the car shut off. Any suggestions?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Jun 20, 2010, 5:02 AM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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Unless they tested that fuel pressure during the failure, it doesn't mean anything. These tests have to be done at the exact moment the problem is occuring. I know this may seem inconvenient but it's the way it has to be done to find the problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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guy580
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Jun 20, 2010, 6:01 AM
Post #3 of 9
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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So do you think it could possibly be the fuel pump or could it be an electrical issue?
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Jun 20, 2010, 6:33 AM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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I don't think anything. As I told you, it has to be tested and until that is done, no one is going to have any idea what is happening.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
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Jun 20, 2010, 8:34 AM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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Guy, like HT said with out a little bit of info it's tough to even guess.... Saturns are pretty good cars so there isn't a lot of pattern failures...
At the minimum you need to find out if you are losing spark or fuel to narrow down the field.....
While this isn't an exact test, normally when you lose fuel the engine will chug & sputter a little before shutting off. When it's an electrical problem, the engine just dies like you turned the key off, it just shuts off.......Thats not 100% but can point you in the right direction.....
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guy580
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Jun 20, 2010, 7:11 PM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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Thats why I asked about electrical problem. There was no chugging or sputtering, just shutdown. How is it tested if it only happens after being driven around for 20-30 minutes?
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Sidom
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Jun 20, 2010, 7:45 PM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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unfortunately those can be tough to diag and requires specialized equipment if you want to be as sure as possible to what the problem is....
If it always starts back up, you have to hook up & see what you're losing on the road....
I don't like guessing..........For this problem I would definitely be looking at the crank sensor on one trace........
(This post was edited by Sidom on Jun 20, 2010, 7:47 PM)
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guy580
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Jun 20, 2010, 8:00 PM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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So I should leave it at the mechanic and have him drive it around for a couple days until it happens. Will they have gauges hooked up whil they drive it?
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Sidom
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Jun 20, 2010, 8:19 PM
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Re: 99 saturn shuts off while driving
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Every shop has there own routine for finding problems... But if it's an intermittent, then it's very possible they will need it for a few days. Yes more than likely they will have some type of equipment hooked up to it while they're driving it, it's the only way to see what you are losing.
I'll have to reread this post but I don't remember if there was any codes posted or not. A lot of times if it's a comp sensor or circuit fails and kills the engine it will set a code even if it doesn't turn the light on after the restart. That is a big help in tracking the problem down.
Sometimes there are no codes and then you're down to monitering as many ciruits as your equipment will allow and hope you've picked the right ones. It can be time consuming and get expensive. It can get frustrating for the customer and tech but with no other "clues" it's kinda what you are left with........
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