I've got a '94 Saturn SL2 which will not start, just cranks.
It was running fine until I parked it and tried to start it 2 hours later.
Good battery, cranks fine, just will not kick over. I suspect the
timing chain at 83K but was wondering if there is anyway to
determine if it is bad without removing the cover.
Yes, it does have a half tank of gas.

Oops, wrong newsgroup, but if any of you computer techs
knows anything about a timing chain, please respond.

"news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> wrote in message
news:UI_6h.75$gl5.69@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...

Does it have a distributor? If so, pop the top, turn the starter and see if
the rotor turns. If not, it's broken inside.

Seems unlikely that your timing drive would break at 83k, especially if it's
a chain.


"news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> wrote in message
news:UI_6h.75$gl5.69@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...

I've seen it stated many times here, nothing is off-topic. This is not just
a computer group.

Perfectly legit question.


"news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> wrote in message
news:O5%6h.79$gl5.6@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...

news-server wrote:
:: I've got a '94 Saturn SL2 which will not start, just cranks.
:: It was running fine until I parked it and tried to start it 2 hours
:: later. Good battery, cranks fine, just will not kick over. I
:: suspect the
:: timing chain at 83K but was wondering if there is anyway to
:: determine if it is bad without removing the cover.
:: Yes, it does have a half tank of gas.

Make sure the fuel pump is working. Its in the gas tank and they are known
to just quit. Fuses first then the relay.

Thanks for the the input everyone, I think I got the newsgroup
right after all, I made the same posting to alt.autos.gm and
have yet to receive a reply.



"news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> wrote in message
news:UI_6h.75$gl5.69@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...

news-server wrote:
What does the engine warning lite do? Does it not stay on? Why do you
suspect the timing belt?

If you are handy, buy yourself a Haynes manual for your car. Then check the
engine codes with a hand held scanner. Those don't cost a hell of a lot and
are easy to use once you identify your testing pigtail or test circuit. My
guess would be your air flow vane is out of whack due to a fault or cracks
in the rubber, or a control module on the distributor. Or the pick-up in
coil inside your distributor-which can be replaced/rebuilt by yourself. Or
your fuel pump relay is bad or your fuel pump itself. The Haynes manual
will instruct you on how to do all these procedures. Some cars will act
like yours if the seal in the gas tank lid is bad.

--

Let the unseen day be. Today is more than enough.

___Sador the carpenter to Turin
Tolkien, The Unfinished Tales

Ellis_Jay

"ellis_jay" <ellis_jay@firstbase.coma> wrote in message
news:2Y6dncs9YY-uI8HYnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@comcast.com...
without
any advanced warning.

"news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> wrote in message
news:UI_6h.75$gl5.69@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
Almost certainly not the timing chain. Tey normally break while moter is
running - not just cranking over. Fuel or ignition most likely.

I had the exact same thing happen and it was the timing belt. I
pulled into a parking spot, turned off the car and did my errands.
When I came back it would crank just great but never fire.
Fred

On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 14:37:40 GMT, "news-server" <lonmck@juno.com>
wrote:

news-server wrote:
Control modules do that alot. As does coils, distributors and their innards.
Definitely sounds electrical to me.

--

Let the unseen day be. Today is more than enough.

___Sador the carpenter to Turin
Tolkien, The Unfinished Tales

Ellis_Jay

news-server wrote:
Btw, you could remove number one plug, crank, and see if ya can get the
piston to top dead center...

--

Let the unseen day be. Today is more than enough.

___Sador the carpenter to Turin
Tolkien, The Unfinished Tales

Ellis_Jay

"ellis_jay" <ellis_jay@firstbase.coma> wrote in
news:2Y6dncs9YY-uI8HYnZ2dnUVZ_oidnZ2d@comcast.com:

chain etc.
First 2 things to check are ignition by checking to see if you are
getting a spark and for fuel getting into intake.
You can buy an inexpensive spark testor to connect between the wire and
sparkplug to check this.
If you have multiport fuel injection you need to check fuel pressure to
the injectors.
Sometimes it is easier to take it to a competent shop.
Hayes manuals are pretty sorry, but they are cheap.

I downloaded new messages from 24hoursupport.helpdesk on Thu, 16 Nov
2006 17:07:28 GMT, and "news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> puked this bit
of wisdom all over my shoes:

Yeah, they're a bunch of lamers.

Oh and check your gas filter.

Howdy!

"news-server" <lonmck@juno.com> wrote in message
news:UI_6h.75$gl5.69@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com...
On your Saturn, there's supposed to be a Schrader Valve in the fuel
plenum. You need to see if there's any fuel pressure.

My 2000 Malibu just about eats fuel pumps ... B(

RwP

On Thu, 16 Nov 2006 17:37:30 -0600, "Ralph Wade Phillips" <News@Philent.biz>
wrote:

A friends pump went in their Cavalier.. it would work, then not.. then work..
etc. The tow truck driver just thumped the gas tank, it cranked right up. He
said he sees it all the time, and that it is a pretty good way to confirm the
problem. He also said NEVER buy aftermarket pumps, GM only!
A pump for a Cav was close to $900 Canadian after tax. !!!

8-0 <thump>

"news-server" Mr. Goodwrenched this into the works in
news:UI_6h.75$gl5.69@tornado.rdc-kc.rr.com:

Hope you don't have condensation in your tank or fuel lines. Sounds
like a firing issue to me. Checked all your connections, especially
where the battery's ground cable is fastened cleanly and securely to
the block, distributor spark plug wires are clean and tight,
distributor cap is intact, nothing loose or wet inside there?

On a '94 GM product > a sudden development > won't crank it could be
something so simple, yet so arcane, as a fubared vacuum hose which
controls timing advance and carburation. Those freaking little hoses
get old, and just all of a sudden develop a crack or split, and there
ya go. Pretty common at the 10 year level. If any of them are
brittle, or have cracks at their ends, and you plan on keeping the
auto, consider just buying a little reel of that new tubing from an
auto-parts, and systematically R&R each and every one of them
yourself. Of course, a GM dealer can put that little thangy in the
thangy dealy-o, and badda-bing, knows exactly where the glitch is
wonking.

Best regards.

--

As the snow started to fall,
he tugged his coat tighter around himself.
Too tight, as it turned out.

"This is the fourth coat crushing this year,"
said the sergeant, as he outlined the body
with a special pencil that writes on snow.

"ellis_jay" <ellis_jay@firstbase.coma> wrote:

Starter turns the crankshaft. so yet it would.

--

Vista and DRM
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"Meat Plow" <meat@meatplow.local> wrote in message
newsan.2006.11.16.22.52.08.787000@nntp.sun-meatplow.local...

Alpine Wintergreen <null@embarq.net> wrote in
news:12lqmnger49ho5a@corp.supernews.com:

See your doctor for a penicillin shot, and next time, keep it in your
pants, unless she's got a health certificate.

--
The Old Sourdough
theoldsourdough at theoldsourdough dot com
If you can't think of something nice to say about a person, go ahead.
- George Carlin