25th Oct 2007, 14:04

2001 LW300 - 87971 miles

OK, I got the Rain-X treatment. I had to pay $20 more (total $49.95 + tax) because I didn't have the stock blade parts (the ad was for wiper FILLER's only). I also opted for the "free" oil change while I was there. Here's the list of recommended repairs:

1. Front and rear brake service - $1115 = tax

2. Power steering pump $955 + tax

3. Steering Gear $1877

4. Water pump $595 + tax

5. Oil cooler $1215 + tax

6. LFT side axle seal $865 + tax

Total = more than $6000 (How do you say ouch, ouch, rip-off, gouge me with a fork!!!).

The?Service? department strikes again!

BTW - I asked the parts guy how much the dash temperature control module cost. He asked me how much I paid. I told him $324. He said he would have charged $210. Not sure if this was the wholesale or retail cost. It may have been better to let Saturn do the repairs - although I don't know what their labor charge would have been. I got the original (faulty) part and the only problem was a broken plastic control arm pin. **Expensive**

25th Oct 2007, 22:02

I have a 2001 Saturn L300 and I was wondering if anyone had any answers on how to fix my car.

The check engine light stays on. when it was ran through the computer, a code about the left and right bank being lean popped up. the guy said that meant there was a problem with the O2 sensor. is there a cheap way to fix the problem.

The service light with a wrench comes on, and when it does, the car has a hard kicking feel when shifting. was is that, and how can I fix it.

If anyone knows what I can do please email me at

x3amtotherescue3x@yahoo.com.

Thanks a lot

-college student.

13th Nov 2007, 16:31

I have the same problem with my 2003 L300. During the drive suddenly wrench in the car warning in going on. I felt hard jerking when up shifting. Problem and ligth go away after tuning off engine, but appers again later.

Is it crankshaft position sensor symptom or transmission presser control solenoid?

Thanks for the help.

27th Nov 2007, 15:17

I have the same problem as above. My 2003 L300 hesitates and jerks upon up-shifting through the gears, and the service light comes on. The problem goes away, and the service engine light goes off when I restart the car. Does anyone have an idea what is wrong??

28th Nov 2007, 07:55

Have your mechanic check the MAF sensor. Check this website and others for this common problem. Will result in hard shifts and the service light.

14th Dec 2007, 15:02

I actually own a 2005 Saturn L300 and it is also a piece of junk. I bought the car brand new. The problems started after owning the car for less than a year. The car has been in the shop 4 times in two different summers for the coolant light being on and the car smelling like coolant. I think the fourth round may have fixed it, but not sure because it was only "fixed" by the end of this past summer. They said a sensor was getting knocked out and they replaced the sensor twice and the fans twice. While trying to figure out why the car was smelling like coolant, they also replaced the water pump 3 times.

The lights flicker all the time, but that is "normal" because of the pull the air conditioner or heater combined with the radio have.

Now, being just a little over 2 years old, the car will not start at all. We are not sure if it is the starter or something else as it is sitting in my garage. Luckily, all the repairs had been covered under the warranty until this last little hiccup with the car. We are only about 3,000 miles outside of our warranty so we are no longer covered. If I didn't know how much returning the car would kill my credit, I would drive the car to their lot and tell them to have fun with it. So much for the joys of owning a new car.

16th Dec 2007, 23:15

Wow you guys are scaring the * out of me. I have a 2005 L300 with one issue. I have a warning light (the 5 o'clock position on the tach, square box with a down arrow and waves? underneath) going off for about 3-10 min on cold weather starts. Just started, my manual is not to be found and I have no idea what this is trying to telling. Can anyone direct me? I would hate to buy another manual $25-$35 bucks, I'd rather pick up a Chilton's on it, E-bay $12.

26th Dec 2007, 18:05

Hello all I'm back again ill make this quick: The last straw and my 2001 l300 final demise. I have already had all the above issues, tires, sensors, service lights, throttle body.. etc etc. You name it its had it all. So as one last parting stab it blows a head gasket on Christmas yesterday. This car was the gift that kept on giving...I'm over it I'm not putting one more dime in this car. Good luck to anyone who is still dealing with their l300 take my advice sell it to your worst enemy..lol.

5th Jan 2008, 15:15

I own a 2003 Saturn L300 from new. Now has 80,000 miles. Never any problems, but now same as recent postings, the light with the wrench comes on then the car starts shifting hard when upshifting. No codes show up at the non-saturn mechanic. If you turn off the car and then start it again the problem goes away for awhile until the wrench light comes back on. Someone from another website recommended this Saturn service bulletin. Will let you know what happens.

Bulletin No.: 04-07-30-020.

Issue Date: April, 2004.

Subject:

Service Vehicle Soon Lamp Illuminated with Diagnostic Trouble Code (DTC) P1811 "Maximum Adapt and Long Shifts"

(Inspect Transaxle and Replace Pressure Control Solenoid)

Models Affected:

2001-2004 Saturn L-Series.

Attention: Technician.

Condition:

Some customers may comment on the Service Vehicle Soon (Wrench) Lamp illuminated with DTC P1811 "Maximum Adapt and Long Shifts." Vehicle may also have full line pressure shifts when DTC P1811 is set.

Cause:

DTC P1811 may set if any adapt cell is at maximum and any shift time reaches 0.65 seconds for a total of two times during the same ignition cycle.

Correction:

Check the pressure control solenoid function with the line pressure test procedure in this bulletin. If the test fails, replace the pressure control solenoid.