20 Most Recent 1998 Saturn SW - Page 3 Questions & Answers

If it is a stick it's on the clutch arm, if it's automatic its on the side of the transmisson.

well engine oil we use 10w30 at the dealer ..it takes 4 quarts
transmission fluid we use ATF. 2 1/2 quarts,,,,,,for the 5 speed and 4 1/2 for the auto trans.
i hope i answered your question

eigther the switch or the wiper motor,,i would guess at the wiper motor ,,its has the logic in it to tell it when and where to stop if it went bad its not gonna know what to do,,,providing your switch uis not busted off and hanging,,,,hope that helps,,

You have to pull the engine. There is no easy way to remove the transmission.

Standard 10W-30

P0171 (fault Location) System to lean, bank 1 (probable Cause) Intake/exhaust leak, AIR system, MAF/VAF sensor, fuel pressure/pump, injector(s), HO2S

HO2S is Oxygen sensor. MAF is Mass air flow sensor. Any one of these could cause a problem. Is this what your code reader said or does your code reader only read the codes and tells you nothing else?

I had the same problem over a year and a half ago. I went to the closest Saturn dealership to get the replacement plastic piece. Turned out that the ENTIRE shift cable assembly was the smallest part that could be purchased to repair this. The cable assembly was over $200 at that time. I opted to forgo the ridiculous expense for this tiny little plastic part. True story: with a little heavy safety wire and a large washer I jury rigged the washer to hold the end of the shift cable in the fitting at the bottom of the shift stick. The washer acts as a keeper and the wire, wrapped in a basket around the back side keeps everything together. It still shifts reliably, a little looser than when it was new, but I saved $200 in parts (99% of which weren't broken) and probably a couple of hours of labor at least. One end of the cable assembly has to be attached to the transmission by the way and is not easily accessible. Sounds hokey but it really worked, still works!

Be sure to check the top of the transmission (behind the battery and in front of the brake fluid reservoir), and be sure the shift cable is connected. There is a metal clip that tends to fall off from time to time. Hopefully you still have it under the hood, otherwise you need to get it at a saturn dealership (or a salvage yard).

is the hex head to the plug still there threaded into the head? If not an easy out can remove it more than likely

Funny... I could diagnose this in about ten minutes if I were there!!! But, being here, I'll give you a good guess: likely your starter has gone south... But, make sure that the battery has 12 volts in it, and dosen't just "look OK" Make sure there is power at main lead on starter as well as power at the trigger wire with key turned to start.But you not under there with it unless wheels are blocked and in park.

Check the shfter cable housing clips on the trans. One of them is probably missing.

Converter

On petrol engines, the presence of black smoke from exhaust indicates that the air / fuel is not correct. If we check and find the spark plugs on them a layer of black smoke, so no air is uncertain. The fix is very simple: replace the filter element from the air filter, clean or replace the spark plugs and, if necessary, adjust the air intake flap from. Black smoke usually disappears after the first fixes (replacing the air filter and clean or replace the spark plugs can be done even by the driver.

Stop me if this has NOTHING to do with your problem (or if it's already been solved)...I don't know a lot about cars so...My Ford Taurus kept overflowing antifreeze from the reservoir cap. Car started to over heat and kept spilling"/dumping" antifreeze every time I turned the car off. The antifreeze reservoir had been replaced less than a year prior, and water pump, radiator, etc looked at. I got a free estimate that stated my water pump was NOT the issue, but I did need a new radiator and my reservoir tank needed to be replaced (again)....$800 parts and labor.... However...I noticed the overflow holes on the tank, and also that the orange liquid (antifreeze), was also spilled around the cap lid. I also noticed the CAP on the antifreeze reservoir would loosen when tightened completely- hence, not sealing correctly. So I went to the dealer, bought a new reservoir cap for $15, replaced it, and never had an issue after! I also found out that the CAP was a DEALER PART ONLY, and when the tank itself was replaced, the CAP was the OLD one! Problem fixed! Maybe it's similar? Or something "more serious".

pull spark plugs check if any are excessively white or have a mineral deposit. This would indicate a head gasket problem. Also check the oil stick & cap for milky substance,also indicates head gasket. Another thing to check is pull the ignition coil off clean up the rust to get a better ground. Basic tune up changing the plugs & wires, filters ect may solve the sputtering.

It is spewing water because your car is overheating. And depending on what color the smoke was, you could have some serious problems.

First, you should be using antifreeze and not water, because the boiling point of water is too low,

Second, what was the temperature gauge showing when you had this problem? If it was in the red or even close to it, you should have turned the AC off, the heater on until the temperature came down.

Third, never open a radiator cap on your vehicle if it is hot! You could have gotten burnt!

Things that will make your car overheat include: thermostat not opening properly; clogged or partially clogged radiator; bad water pump; blown head gasket, cracked block just to name a few.