94 SL2 problem solved by you guys!

Just a brief note from someone who hasn't posted in this group since about
'96. THANK YOU. Recently, my manual '94 SL2 (~78K miles) began having a
most annoying problem (the first actual mechanical problem I've had with
it). As I would approach a stop sign/red light and take the car out of gear
and apply the brakes, there was a noticeable decrease in RPMs which would
unnaturally go way down (to about 200) and then immediately pop back up to
(almost) normal idle speed. There was also a corresponding dimming of
dash/headlights to go with this.

Last Monday, I brought the car into the local dealership (Saturn of
Anchorage) and they diagnosed it as being a faulty alternator and a battery
that was not holding charge. This seemed reasonable and expected, so I went
ahead with that repair. $420. Ouch.

Picked up the car and drove away. The problem was still there.

So I hopped onto Google Groups and began searching and came up with a few
posts about the EGR system.

I printed out the threads, and showed them to the head mechanic. All the
while I was sure to convey that I was not trying to tell him how to do his
job, but merely pointing out something that he might want to look at.

Well, he read them and followed them. I now have a fixed auto. Thanks
rec.autos.makers.saturn!

 

What was the final solution?

Rick

 

Did they refund the $420 which was spent on a repair which was not needed?

-David

 

Did he put your old battery and alternator back in and return the 400+
dollars for the wrong repair?

Brigitte

 

They replaced some part of the EGR system. Runs just fine now

 

Unfortunately no, since the alternator and battery did need replacing. I
don't really have any reason to believe this isn't true--they been a good
shop over the years. They did however give me free labor and 50% off the
EGR system part. I'm fine with it.