# Saturn Hesitation **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Tags:** hesitation, saturn\ **Created:** [November 16, 2008, 6:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-hesitation/22140 "2008-11-16T06:15:39Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![amnewsboy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/2bfe46/32.png) [@amnewsboy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/amnewsboy)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2008, 6:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-hesitation/22140/1 "2008-11-16T06:15:39Z")
Hey, guys… I drive a 2001 Saturn SL1 sedan - 70k miles. Whenever I go up hills, it hesitates… At about 30-40, I’ll step on the gas, it’ll think about it for a couple of seconds and go… in some cases, it’ll sputter a little bit before going. A couple of months ago, it wasn’t so bad, but it’s progressively gotten worse. I’m thinking it’s a bad spark plug wire, but could it be something else? If so… what’s the $ damage? ---
**Author:** ![admitted\_amateur](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/94ad74/32.png) [@admitted\_amateur](https://community.cartalk.com/u/admitted_amateur)\ **Post date:** [November 16, 2008, 5:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-hesitation/22140/2 "2008-11-16T17:41:38Z")
This could come from a large number of things. If you’ve never changed the plugs & wires you should just do it as a matter of course - even if it isn’t the problem. Its relatively inexpensive and easy to do in a little 4 cyl like that. While you’re at it get a new air filter in there if there isn’t one. Also cheap and easy. The next thing to look at is the fuel filter - also cheap but usually not as easy depending on where it is. So, on other words, start with a complete round of basic “tune up” maintenance. Then see where things stand. ---
**Author:** ![simplex1040](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ac91a4/32.png) [@simplex1040](https://community.cartalk.com/u/simplex1040)\ **Post date:** [December 4, 2008, 2:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/saturn-hesitation/22140/3 "2008-12-04T02:02:19Z")
4 words: “Engine Coolant Temperature Sensor.” $9 at your parts store. temp sensor is telling PCM that engine is cold so it dumps too rich a mixture into your engine. you are prob getting bad gas milage too. usually hesitates between 1st and second gear.