# Hesitation at stop light **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** sl, saturn\ **Created:** [August 16, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hesitation-at-stop-light/53647 "2010-08-16T19:31:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rmemory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58f4c7/32.png) [@rmemory](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rmemory)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 7:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hesitation-at-stop-light/53647/1 "2010-08-16T19:31:35Z")
I have a 1998 Saturn SL2, 130000 miles on it. Automatic transmission. When I come up to a stop sign or light, it feels like the engine starts missing, as if the engine is getting ready to die. If I put it in park or neutral, the problem goes away. When the light turns green, I press on the gas and its very sluggish for a few seconds until it finally starts going again (maybe about the time I hit 10 or 15 MPH). Then everything proceeds happily until I hit the next stop sign or light when the same thing occurs all over again. ---
**Author:** ![cigroller](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c68b51/32.png) [@cigroller](https://community.cartalk.com/u/cigroller)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hesitation-at-stop-light/53647/2 "2010-08-16T22:48:52Z")
Spark plugs? Wires? Fuel filter? Air filter? There’s no point in guessing at much until the most basic things are known to be up to date. Any check engine light/service engine soon light on? ---
**Author:** ![rmemory](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/58f4c7/32.png) [@rmemory](https://community.cartalk.com/u/rmemory)\ **Post date:** [August 16, 2010, 11:05pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/hesitation-at-stop-light/53647/3 "2010-08-16T23:05:31Z")
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. All within the past 6 months. And yes to the check engine light. It referred to an EGR valve, which has now been replaced.