Saturn Repair: Code 26, coolant temp, saturn sc

Question
1992 Saturn SC 1.9 DOHC

Hi Chirs,

I have code 26. When I drive down the road my “low coolant” light and my “parking brake” light flash on and off in synchronization.  It’s more like a flicker.  They never stay on for more then a second, but it’s in perfect synchronization and they do it every few seconds, sometimes faster than other times.  Also, my battery has started dying frequently.  I had it and the alternator tested and they said they both checked fine.  But when I had them checked the lights weren't flickering on and off, might be why the checked out fine.  These may be two isolated incidents but I believe the light flickering on and off has something to do with my battery getting drained.

My battery dying gives me insight to another problem I was having.  My car was having a hard time starting.  I would have to floor the peddle will trying to start the car to get it started.  Then once started it would blow out all kinds of black smoke and I would smell a lot of fuel.  Burning rich.  I would have the similar issues driving down the road.  The car would cut of when I change gears if I didn’t give it gas to keep it going.  There’s also a great deal of hesitation.     Now the car wants to idle at 2300-2500 rpms by itself.  It only does this once i've been driving for a few minutes.  It’s still difficult to start, and it dies as if it’s not getting enough fuel, but when i get it started again i blow a huge cloud of black smoke.

I thought my fuel pump was going out so I had it replaced.  I also thought I had faulty plugs or wires so I replaced those as well.  I also replaced the coolant temp sensor and temp sender/switch because earlier the fan was not cutting on and the car would overheat if didn’t turn the heater on full blast.  At that point in time I was getting the code 26 as well as code 15 - Coolant sensor/low temperature.
I convinced that all these problems are related and it’s something electrical.
Thanks,

Matt  

Answer
Matt,
 If you are still having problems starting (heavy fuel smell / smoke) I would probably look at the coolant temp sensor again.  Make sure that the correct sensor was replaced.  The ECT (Engine Coolant Temp sensor) helps the computer determine the correct air/fuel ratio.  There are two of these sensors on the driver's side of the cylinder head.  The ECT is the one that is lower on the head and close to the firewall.  The other sensor collects the temperature reading for the gauge on the dash.  Also, make sure that the connector for that ECT sensor is not corroded (green trails on the inside of connector), and that neither of the two pins are bent.

I really can't begin to diagnose your flickering lights.  That's something that requires mucho testing.  I have never seen that problem though, and it would be interesting to find out what the problem is.  I don't think the two problems are related.  Hope this helps.

Chris