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Posted on Sep 10, 2017
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I have a 2003 saturn ion 3 and the check engine light comes on and the car starts to skip and shake. The car will run smoothly for a while and then something set it off. I'm had the ignition coil, spark plugs and O2 sensors (both) changed. The catalytic converter has been replaced also and it gets extremely hot when the car starts to skip and shake. Thanks

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Samuel Guthrie

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  • Posted on Oct 01, 2017
Samuel Guthrie
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I can't tell if you mean the catalytic converter gets hot or the gauge in the car shows hot. If it's the cat, you most likely have an injector issue, causing there to be too much fuel running through the engine and burning up in the cat causing very high temps. If the engine is hot, it comes down to one system; COOLING. You say it runs fine for a short while then malfunctions. Turn on your AC full blast and see if both fans are running when the engine is at operating temp. If they aren't; you have a fan issue. Obviously check the coolant level and follow your owners manual regarding fill levels and fluid type. Let me know if that helps and gives you more info.

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  • Saturn Master 2,517 Answers
  • Posted on Oct 01, 2017
Bill George
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If the check engine light comes on at all then the code is stored in the computer. Go get the codes pulled. The cat converter gets hot either way. That is it doing its job.

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  • Posted on Oct 01, 2017
Vernon Hardnett
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Check the lac sensor

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Anonymous

  • 123 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 15, 2008

SOURCE: catalytic converter still glowing red

When running does the engine shake back and forth (indicating a skip in the engine) also does it rev up freely. If you were to rev it up to 3500RPMS would it be smooth without the engine shaking back and forth? Also the o2 sensor on the front of the exhaust manifold is pretty easy to get at, if you were able to pull that( 7/8") wrench I beleive) you could tell if it were running rich (sooty black color). In the end you could take it to a muffler shop and for very little money have them inspect your cat, without any cutting or welding. a $20-$30 cost at most. I know the fixya wants us to be self suficiant but even i don't mess with small exhaust work because of the benieft of not dealing with it, especially for such a small price. But if its something you wanted to do, I could explain so. A shop can visually inspect the cat, and see if it is clogged with oil, or excessive fuel. At any rate in the end if they do find that you do need a cat, don't buy a GM one, there are plenty of other sources for an aftermarket cat. IF you decided to go that route i know of a few sources that one could be had for pretty cheap ($50-70) for new. Let me know if any of this helps

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Anonymous

  • 360 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 29, 2008

SOURCE: Please Help... p0404 and p0137 Error Codes (1999 Saturn SL1)

yes egr valve is a common thing on this saturn. very pricy and yes you need the rear o2 sensor good luck i have a used egr if interested off a sl2

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Marvin

  • 85242 Answers
  • Posted on Nov 05, 2008

SOURCE: My 2002 Lancer's check engine

Aftermarket converters can cause catalytic converter monitor issues, these are not O2 sensors, they are catalytic converter efficiency monitors, I know they look like a O2 sensor but they are very different in how they work, what are the codes you are getting.

Anonymous

  • 15 Answers
  • Posted on Jan 13, 2009

SOURCE: Please Help... p0404 and p0137 Error Codes (1999 Saturn SL1)

hey if you truely think it is your egr valve unhook it and if that is the problem then when it is unhooked it should run better and the codes should not come up. hey if you cahnged the 1 o2 sensor and not the other you probably made the code for the one u repalced come up again. i would recommened that you change both of the o2 sensors at the same time. try checking if your catalatic convert is plugged. how you do this is take a dollar bill and hold it at the end of your tail pipe while it is idleing and if the dollar bill stays still you have a plugged catalatic converter.

Anonymous

  • 33 Answers
  • Posted on May 23, 2009

SOURCE: I need to find the fuel filter on a 2004 saturn

Check your plugs, check the ign module, test the injectors,take a fuel sample and make sure there isnt water in your fuel, if all these test good perform a compression test. if the compression test fails replace the head. if the compression test is good. check the timing

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