1998 Saturn SL single cam, have replaced the map,throttle, and oxygen sensors, also new fuel filter, oil filter, air filter, and new wires and plugs, new PC valve and new water pump. What the car does is it is hard to start, hesitates badly, lacks power, and has a low idle of 600 to 800. Has a check engine light on and the code is P0171. It sometimes gets better when it has warmed up but yesterday the symptons got so bad we had to tow the car home. Any ideas of what to do?</font>
Edited by: sw2cam

 

Temp sensor and connector.

 

Yep, sounds like a coolant sensor problem.

The P0717 is also a front O2 sesor code. A bad temperature sensor can be causing the engine to run rich, causing your described problems and either fouling the O2 sensor or confusing the PCM into think it's bad.

 

Okay I replaced the coolant sensor and connector and it still is bad and still hesitates. Any other suggestions,
I haven't replaced the EGR valve, could that be it?
Thanks

 

Did you check for spark at the coil packs?

 

Hello i have a saturn sl1 with basicly the same problem it starts hard, and lacks power on the low end. Ive replaced the plugs and wires, the whole top end is rebuilt, and everything is stock in the engine catagory, Any idea on why i have no low end power and hard starts, sometime it takes two to three times to start.

 

Also the car is 5 speed

 

I just changed my EGR valve becsuse the car would start to stall when I let off the accelerator to stop at a light or stop sign. I tried everything before that like you, but the EGR fixed mine. I did not have any loss of power on the vehicle.