Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-101
I own a 1999 Saturn SL2. It has been a good car to this point, and has over 110k miles on it. It has done its job. But we are having a tiny problem with the winshield wipers. When you turn them on, they don't stop. Or when they do stop, its when the car decides. Does anyone know what this could be? My wife and I are tired of driving around with wipers going on a sunny day after we forget and hit the spray button for a quick wipe and the wipers keep going...
We are planning on trading the car in here soon, and if this is a cheap fix, I would like to get it done. Any suggestion?
I just bought a 1997 Saturn SC1 with 196,000 miles on it. I don't think the girl before me took very good care of it, it was in dire need of an oil change. I got that done, replaced the spark plugs, and when I can afford it apparently needs new motor mounts. It vibrates pretty bad, and my mechanic said that was the problem. Cross my fingers, but so far no major repairs are needed. Sometimes it takes a little effort to shift into second (manual trans.) has anyone else had this problem?
I have a 1997 Saturn SC2 (auto transmission), bought with 80,000+ miles. It's now at 98,000+ and just started with the same transmission problems as everyone else is describing. It harshly slams into reverse when the car is completely stopped, and it feels like the transmission is going to break as it shifts from 1st to 2nd. Luckily, if you ease off the gas right as it is about to shift, you can bypass the harsh shifting.
Mechanic #1 quoted me $1,370 for a transmission installation from an '01 SC2.
Mechanic #2 quoted me $1,200 to rebuild mine, or $600 to replace just the valve body. Both quotes in Niagara Falls, NY.
Based on similar problems from other people on here, I'm surprised I JUST started having this issue at almost 100,000 miles. The previous owner seemed to keep up on all it's maintenance. Thanks Saturn.
Wow. I just googled "Saturn shifter knob grommet broke" and this page came up with people's comments on what happened to their cars. Glad I wasn't the only one with the problem. I was out yesterday for a few hours. When I was ready to leave I put the car in reverse and tried to shift into 1st when the knob went all flimsy. A friend of mine was with me, and he helped me unscrew the console to see what the problem was. We found that stupid grommet that was broken. I wish we would have thought to use something to temporarily fasten it together to get us home, but instead ended up calling for a tow. I am amazed that they would even make such a flimsy little piece of plastic to hold something together like that. I just couldn't imagine what would have happened if I were driving it and it snapped like that!!! My car sits in the heat a lot and I am sure that's what ultimately made it break. It's a 98 Saturn SC1 which has given me quite a bit of problems in the last 5 years I have owned it.
First major problem was the head gasket blowing on me. Most people assumed it was because I didn't have water in it, but I did. Turns out it was a manufacturer's defect on the head. I had to have the entire engine rebuilt. I worked for NAPA Auto Parts at the time, and the machine shop manager rebuilt the engine. I had to end up buying a new cylinder head and fortunately knowing who I knew, it only cost me 300 bucks for that. Total repairs for it all with parts, was 1300 bucks. Still cheaper than if I went somewhere else.
Recently I had to replace my Catalytic converter because there was a huge chunk broken off inside, which was causing my car to run funky. I had to replace the 02 sensor, and had my spark plugs replaced as well. Now all I need to do is just get that grommet (which my friend ordered yesterday and NO it's not the same stupid piece so it can break again later) and hopefully that'll be fixed by Friday.
**note to future Saturn owners... BEWARE!**
My wife's 2000 SL1 is consuming oil. It just vanishes. Car has 36,000 miles. The vehicle has been very well maintained. I discovered it had nearly no oil in the pan recently. It took 3 liters to bring it back to 'full'. The oil light indicator did blink, but never stayed on. I assumed it was an electronic glitch. Shame on the Saturn people. We purchased extended warranty ($1,500.) but it expired before this problem. I'll never buy another Saturn. So much for supporting products made in North America.
I really hate my 1999 Saturn SC2, I've had nothing, but problems with it, It looks great, but it's a horrible car.
It does nothing, but suck oil constantly, my gas just seems to evaporate, I've had to get a new coolant fan, new master cylinder and brakes, I had to get an AC leak fixed, the car is really small inside and gets dirty easy. I got ripped off when I bought this car, it sucks. NEVER BUY A SATURN.
I have a 1997 SC2 that is at about 109,000 miles. It just recently started having a problem with the (auto) transmission. I just started working at a Lexus dealership and they pull my car in and check it out for me whenever it has a problem. Unfortunately, they couldn't find anything that looked wrong with my car (except for the fact that it was a Saturn, ha ha)
The key won't go into the ignition unless you pump the brakes a few times. One you can get the key in and turned to start the car, the shifter won't come out of park. I can pump the brakes and everything, but something just isn't engaging. My husband and I will sit there and yank on it and pump the brakes, sometimes hit it with something until it finally pops out. It just started doing this about a month ago, and no one seems to know what the hell is wrong with it. Has anyone else had this problem?
I own a 1997 Saturn SC2 and I have noticed the oil consumption and the rough idle. I have 200,000 miles on it, and it has not giving me any of the crap that everyone is crying about.
I mean it does help that I'm mechanic and I can realize when my car is running funny. For a while though I didn't do an oil change for 4,000 miles; every time I would just have to add a half a quart, not one and half.
For a ten year old car it's still kicking. It's a five speed manual transmission that has never had to be rebuilt nor the motor. The worst thing that I have had to do to it was an ignition switch.
I drive fast and still with the motor having to go through the stress, it still doesn't burn that much oil. There is no smoke coming from the exhaust.
In my opinion Saturn is one of the best cars, as opposed to a 1990 Acura Legend that I recently had; want to talk about trouble, go buy one.
For the one who says that she has to pump the brakes before the key will turn. It has nothing to do with the brakes; get your ignition switch checked or replaced, and that will also help the shifter come from park. It helps it realize that your car is ready to go.
For the one with the problem shifting into second gear; if the person before you ground that gear, that will cause the problem.
All of these positive comments about the 1997 SC2 with 200,000 thousand miles on it, come from Brent. If you're ever in Baton Rouge, drop by my job and I will show you my car and prove that it is not as bad as everyone is saying. I WOULD RECOMMEND A SATURN TO ANYONE AND EVERYONE!!!
For the wipers going by their self, check and or replace the wiper motor relay. The relay should be in the fuse under the hood by the positive point to jump the car off.
If it isn't there, then it will be in the fuse box in the car. To find this check by the center console. There should be a flat head clip that unlocks the panel.
If the fuse and relay are good, then you will need to replace the wiper motor. It's not as hard as everyone says it is. To do it you will need a clip remover and a ten mm socket and a ratchet. You will need the clip remover to take off I think five clips. After you get that off, then you will easily see the wiper motor. That is where the ten mm socket comes in to play.
Warning the timing of the new motor has to be correct or they will not work as per spec and won't work properly. If the timing is off, just move the teeth on it a little to one way, and if it is worse then move the teeth the other way. Don't listen to the crap; the motor is really easy if you have some one that works on stuff like this for a living.
Any questions email me at brnt_wade@yahoo.com and I will walk you through it. I'm giving people info on how to take care of their Saturn because I'm tired of people always blaming the car.
From the 1997 with 200000 miles on it I LOVE MY SATURN!!! I COULDN'T LOVE IT MORE. When you pull out into traffic wouldn't you like to hit 0 to 50 in less than five seconds manual trans only.
In my service manual it stats that you should check your oil every 1000 miles. If you don't do that then you warranty should be voided anyway because it states to check your owners manual to check it. if you don't believe then go to a auto center and look for a book for the 1997 Saturn SC2 coupe and you will find most of your questions answered there. You cannot always depend on the people that are always putting the car down to answer all of your questions so that book is a must!!!
I have a 1997 Saturn SC2, auto trans, with about 130K miles. In the past week it has started running very rough. It was time of an oil change, but that didn't help and it became progressively worse until yesterday it was undriveable. Yesterday it began misfiring at about 45-55 mph (20000 rpm) then the engine light came on. I had the guy at Auto Zone read the code and it said Misfiring on Cylinder 3. We changed the spark plug for Cylinder 3 (even though I just had all new plugs and wires installed 1 1/2 yrs ago). This did not help. The car was still misfiring (jerking, having a hard time coming to speed) and now it is letting out black smoke from the tailpipe. I added fuel injector fluid, but that was only a temporary fix, because today it started off the same way as yesterday with the misfiring and black smoke. As I drove it, the conditions improved slightly. It does not appear it is a consistent problem... something is starting to fail, but I'm not sure what. Any suggestions? Today I noticed that I am not getting the normal gas mileage, although it could be because it's working so much harder. Please help.