'97 SL2 shakes on slowdown

1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles

For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
frequently, but not every time.

I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
that did not help.

Anybody have any suggestions?

Thanks,

Jim

On Oct 17, 7:43 pm, JimR > wrote:
> 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>
> For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
> traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
> engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
> frequently, but not every time.
>
> I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
> They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
> that did not help.
>
> Anybody have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim

that code is crankshaft sensor out of range.. which could also be
caused by bad spark plug wires...
????
Did you take it to saturn??

wrote:
>
> On Oct 17, 7:43 pm, JimR > wrote:
>> 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>>
>> For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
>> traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
>> engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
>> frequently, but not every time.
>>
>> I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
>> They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
>> that did not help.
>>
>> Anybody have any suggestions?
>>
>> Thanks,
>>
>> Jim
>
> that code is crankshaft sensor out of range.. which could also be
> caused by bad spark plug wires...
> ????
> Did you take it to saturn??
>


Yes, that was from the Saturn dealer. I've been dealing with them since
I bought the car and I have been reasonably happy with the service.

There were 2 codes, but they only noted the P0314 on the bill. I think
the other one was 300 (P0300?), which he told me meant a misfire.

The plug wires were from AutoZone, and are probably 2 years old. They
were supposed to be "guaranteed for life". Are those claims legit, or
are they marketing BS? For the sake of 35 or 40 bux, should I just
replace them to see if that cures the problem?

Thanks,

Jim

On Oct 18, 9:39 pm, JimR > wrote:
> wrote:
>
> > On Oct 17, 7:43 pm, JimR > wrote:
> >> 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>
> >> For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
> >> traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
> >> engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
> >> frequently, but not every time.
>
> >> I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
> >> They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
> >> that did not help.
>
> >> Anybody have any suggestions?
>
> >> Thanks,
>
> >> Jim
>
> > that code is crankshaft sensor out of range.. which could also be
> > caused by bad spark plug wires...
> > ????
> > Did you take it to saturn??
>
> Yes, that was from the Saturn dealer. I've been dealing with them since
> I bought the car and I have been reasonably happy with the service.
>
> There were 2 codes, but they only noted the P0314 on the bill. I think
> the other one was 300 (P0300?), which he told me meant a misfire.
>
> The plug wires were from AutoZone, and are probably 2 years old. They
> were supposed to be "guaranteed for life". Are those claims legit, or
> are they marketing BS? For the sake of 35 or 40 bux, should I just
> replace them to see if that cures the problem?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

I would replace the wires.. chances are it is wire going to plug 4. I
put the cheap ones on from carquest.. they are about $29. I'm do
also.. I change them every 50k along wth tranny fluid which in my case
is only 2.6 qts because I have a stick.
Phil

JimR wrote:
>
> 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>
> For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
> traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
> engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
> frequently, but not every time.
>
> I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
> They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
> that did not help.
>
> Anybody have any suggestions?
>
> Thanks,
>
> Jim

I just read a thread on Saturnfans.com that sounds kind of like this.
The problem mentioned there was a dirty EGR valve. Cleaning it seems to
make some improvements in problems such as rough idle.

Jim again

On Oct 20, 6:40 pm, JimR > wrote:
> JimR wrote:
>
> > 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>
> > For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
> > traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
> > engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
> > frequently, but not every time.
>
> > I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
> > They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
> > that did not help.
>
> > Anybody have any suggestions?
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Jim
>
> I just read a thread on Saturnfans.com that sounds kind of like this.
> The problem mentioned there was a dirty EGR valve. Cleaning it seems to
> make some improvements in problems such as rough idle.
>
> Jim again- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

but the egr will throw a completely diffrent code.. I would stay with
wires.. I found that my #4 wire wasn;t seated fully at the coil..
problem went away.. worse case would have been wires ($29) and
cameshaft sensor ($12)
Phil

On Oct 20, 6:40 pm, JimR > wrote:
> JimR wrote:
>
> > 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>
> > For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
> > traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
> > engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
> > frequently, but not every time.
>
> > I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
> > They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
> > that did not help.
>
> > Anybody have any suggestions?
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Jim
>
> I just read a thread on Saturnfans.com that sounds kind of like this.
> The problem mentioned there was a dirty EGR valve. Cleaning it seems to
> make some improvements in problems such as rough idle.
>
> Jim again- Hide quoted text -
>
> - Show quoted text -

oh, about the egr valve.. you don't clean them you replace them..
cleaning one's problem will just retun... root problem is too much
cabon in engine which requires decarbonizing the engine.

wrote:
>
> On Oct 20, 6:40 pm, JimR > wrote:
>> JimR wrote:
>>
>>> 1997 SL2 1.9 L manual transmission, 186000 miles
>>> For the last several months, when I decelerate to a stop in normal
>>> traffic, frequently the engine shakes violently. This happens as the
>>> engine approaches idle speed, in or around 1100 - 1200 rpm. It happens
>>> frequently, but not every time.
>>> I went in yesterday for service, and the dealer scanned code P0341.
>>> They removed the ignition module and cleaned the coil grounds. However,
>>> that did not help.
>>> Anybody have any suggestions?
>>> Thanks,
>>> Jim
>> I just read a thread on Saturnfans.com that sounds kind of like this.
>> The problem mentioned there was a dirty EGR valve. Cleaning it seems to
>> make some improvements in problems such as rough idle.
>>
>> Jim again- Hide quoted text -
>>
>> - Show quoted text -
>
> but the egr will throw a completely diffrent code.. I would stay with
> wires.. I found that my #4 wire wasn;t seated fully at the coil..
> problem went away.. worse case would have been wires ($29) and
> cameshaft sensor ($12)
> Phil
>

Thanks Phil, that sounds like good advice. I will try it as soon as I
get a few spare minutes.

Jim