I have a 1999 Saturn SL2 1.9l dohc. with only 39600 miles on it. When starting the car either hot or cold the starter has to be engaged for a long time before the engine fires. I changed the coolant temp sensor, as this seemed to be a common problem with no luck. Any Ideas as to whats next would be appreciated.

The LW started in 00, if it is a 99 then it is an SW. I would start by replacing the crank sensor which is installed into the rear of the block, behind the starter on the SW. Most likely easier to replace on the LW as they moved the starter to the front of the engine in the 2.2 LW engine. Cheap part.

u can bring ur car to a shop wen its hot an get a charging an starting system check,wat ur after is to see ur starter current amp draw, sounds like wen its hot its amping out meaning ur probably drawing over 250amps meaning ur starter motor is worn out internally,this test should confirm this allowing u to replace starter and ur issue being resolved...... good luck hope this helps

When the vehicle is hot, does the Starter turn the engine over? If not, your starter is being affected by Heat soak, and you must replace the starter. If the starter does turn over the engine, you have a sensor that is failing due to heat soak, or your ECM is failing when hot. This is much more difficult to diagnose since each sensor will have to be monitored to find the faulty sensor.

I’m happy to help further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_69f3cc28d95bf514

my car does the same thing.... i dont think there really anything you can do

Typically a starter will have twp wire going to it. One of which is the battery cable (positive lead) and the other is a smaller wire that will plug to the starter; this wire becomes powered or hot when the ignition is turned fully to the start position; this the causes the starter solenoid to engage drawing in an causing the starter to run.
I hope this may have helped,
Tom

replace engine control module

Had a Saturn Relay when the battery went bad the security lock activated and could not start the car and the only solution the dealer said was to tow it to them. No wonder saturn is about to be cut by GM. They ran this once good service car company into the ground.

I had the same problem with a 92 Saturn SL2 that baffled me for months. It would randomly not start (usually after being ran) and also would die while driving and not restart for hours. I probably called a tow truck 5 or 6 times and ended up having it start right up by the time it arrived.

I went through the regular troubleshooting chart and threw hundreds of dollars in parts at the car. Replaced coil packs, Crankshaft Sensor, Plugs/Wires, Fuel Filter, cleaned out everything I could, etc. But to no avail.

I had read everywhere that the ignition control module never goes bad so not to bother replacing it. (plus it just looked like a plate that the coils plugged into and they wanted $125 at the autoparts store.

With nothing left in the ignition system to replace I bit the bullet and bought a new one. I also cleaned the bolts and ran a tap through the bolt holes in the block.

Car never had another starting problem again, at least not until the timing chain snapped, but that's a whole story on its own.

You could probably even get one much cheaper from a junkyard. I've always been averse to going there though. The people kind of creep me out.

Good luck

Ok I know that Coolant Temp Sensors are very very Common to Saturns, Only buy the Parts at saturn they are Calibrated Parts. Aftermarket do not work well.
You could have a work starter bendix Drive or a worn Flywheel that is causing the crackling sound you hear, To be totally honest I need to hear the sound to tell you for sure. If this information is good please Give me a Fixya! Rating and if there is anything more I can do for you please contact me .

crankcase sensor, located behind starter on 3.5