SaturnSeries | Saturn Enthusiast Knowledge Repository

S-Series Generations

There are 3 “Generations” of Saturn S-Series:

(Generations denote major changes. These major changes could be seen in the exterior design, interior design, and electronics systems)

Exterior design generations

SC (coupes):
1st Gen: 1991-1996
2nd Gen: 1997-2000
3rd Gen: 2001-2002

SL (sedans):
1st Gen: 1991-1995
2nd Gen: 1996-1999
3rd Gen: 2000-2002

SW (wagons):
1st Gen: 1993-1995
2nd Gen: 1996-1999
3rd Gen: 2000-2002

Interior design generations:

1st Gen: ’91-’94
2nd Gen: ’95-’99
3rd Gen: ’00-’02

Electronics systems generations:

1st gen: ’91-’94 (OBD1)
2nd gen: ’95-’99 (OBD2)
3rd gen: ’00-’02 (OBD2 with new PCM/BCM design)

S-Series: Basic Differences Between Models

There are 3 models/body styles of Saturn S-Series:

Note: All S-series models begin with an “S”.

“SC” = “Sports Coupe” – 2 or 3 door coupe.

“SL” = “Sedan Level” – 4 door sedan

“SW” = “Sedan Wagon” – Station Wagon

Trim Levels

Each body style came in SOHC and DOHC trim levels. Generally, SOHC models are denoted by a “1” after the model name (ex: SC1 is a coupe with a SOHC engine), while DOHC models were denoted by a “2” after the model name (ex: SL2 is a sedan with a twin cam engine).

There are three exceptions to this rule:

The first is the SL model, which is a “value” base model SL with a SOHC engine featuring fewer options than the SL1 models.

The second is the SC model. For ’91-’92, the coupe body style was only offered with the DOHC engine, and was called the SC instead of the SC2. When the SC1 was introduced in 1993, the SC was renamed SC2.

The third is commonly referred to as the SW-P. This was a right hand drive postal wagon. As Saturn exported the S-Series for a short time to Japan, they also offered the RHD model for postal delivery service. These were all automatic SOHC models.

List of all S-Series models:

SC (’91-’92 DOHC)
SC1 (’93-’02 SOHC)
SC2 (’93-’02 DOHC)
SL (’91?-’02 SOHC)
SL1 (’91-’02 SOHC)
SL2 (’91-’02 DOHC)
SW1 (’93-’02 SOHC)
SW2 (’93-’02 DOHC)
SW-P (?-? SOHC)

S-Series Engines

There are 3 Major Types of Engine for the S-Series:

LK0 – SOHC, TBI (’91-’94) 85 crank HP

L24 – SOHC, MPFI (’95-’02) 100 crank HP

LL0 – DOHC, MPFI (’91-’02) 124 crank HP

SOHC = Single Overhead Cam (one cam controls intake and exhaust valves)
DOHC = Dual Overhead Cam (separate cams control intake and exhaust valves)

TBI = Throttlebody Injection (one fuel injector, housed in the throttlebody)
MPFI = Multiple Port Fuel Injection (multiple injectors, housed in the intake manifold)

Identification:

The LL0 (DOHC) is easy to spot, due to the different valve cover. To differentiate between the 2 SOHC engines, look behind the valve cover at the intake. The LK0 (TBI) has the air filter behind the valve cover, by the firewall. The L24 has the airbox by the radiator support.
(See below)

LK0: ’91-’94 SOHC

L24: ’95-’02 SOHC

LL0: ’91-’02 DOHC

JDM Saturns

Yes, there really are “JDM” Saturns.

Saturn exported the S-Series to Japan from 1996 (1997 model year) to 2000. JDM means “Japanese Domestic Market” and refers to OEM parts in Japan. These are not necessarily performance parts or fancy appearance parts, though those parts are often the point of interest for tuners that seek out JDM parts. In the case of JDM Saturns, there are no high performance parts – the drivetrain components are essentially, if not exactly, the same as their US counterparts. There are some unique characteristics of the JDM Saturns, though, and I have tried to collect some basic information about them below.

General Facts:

Sales – Saturn supposedly sold 4324 vehicles in Japan. This does not include numbers for the RHD postal wagons sold in the US.

RHD Saturns – Saturn sold RHD (right-hand drive) models in Japan, and also in the US. The US versions were all automatic SW1s for postal service.

SW-P – Saturn sold RHD SW1s in the US for postal service. They are generally referred to as “SW-P”s

RHD Specific Parts:

– Dashboard – both 2nd and 3rd gen interiors were made for RHD
– Steering rack
– Automatic Gear Selector
– “Breakaway” Mirrors – These mirrors have the pivot point in them so they fold in for tight parking and to help prevent the mirror breaking if it is hit.
– Window Switches – The window switches are more flat than the curved US window switches (see below).

– Hazard Light button – In the 2nd gen RHD interior, the hazard light button is located on top of the center stack, instead of on top of the steering column.
– KPH cluster – Ok, this one is a stretch, since the kilometers cluster is used for the Canadian market as well. As far as I know, they are the same cluster, but there may be some small differences.
– License plate bracket
– Power mirror controls

Example Galleries:

SC2 with manual transmission

SW2 with automatic transmission

SC2 with automatic transmission

Articles:

Saturn Car Sales Fail in Japan
Date: 2002?
Source: HowStuffWorks.com
Has the Tide Turned for Saturn?
Date: June 1999
Source: Japan Auto Trends
Saturn Leaps Into Japan’s Most Competitive Market Segment
Date: June 1997
Source: Japan Auto Trends
In Japan, Saturn Signs Car Dealers
Date: July 9, 1996
Source: The New York Times
Profile/Jiro Yanase; Selling Cadillacs in Japan
Date: Dec 27, 1992
Source: The New York Times

Remove / Install Stock Intake System (Airbox Lid – Throttlebody, MPFI Horizontal Intake)

In this DIY, we’ll be removing most of the stock air intake system, including the airbox lid and tubing leading to the throttlebody, on S-Series with multiport fuel injection on a horizontal intake manifold.

Author: Jonathan Swain (aka "PurdueGuy")

Relevant Models

1995-2002 SC1
1991-1992 SC
1993-1999 SC2
1995-2002 SL
1995-2002 SL1
1991-1999 SL2
1995-2002 SW1
1993-1999 SW2

Tools

Locking pliers (if you have a spring clamp on your intake tube)

Flathead screwdriver (if you have a screw clamp on your intake tube)

Removal

Step 1

Pull the rubber hose from the side of the intake.

Step 2

Use your locking pliers to squeeze the spring clamp together so it will loosen. Lock into place.
(note that some intakes may use a different style clamp, most likely loosened by turning a screw to loosen the clamp, like a common hose clamp)

Step 3

With the pliers still locked, pull the intake tube off the throttlebody.

Step 4

Unclick the 4 clips that hold the airbox lid on.
At this point this portion of the intake is loose and can be removed.

Step 5

At this point this portion of the intake is loose and can be removed.

(Engine bay with intake section removed pictured)

Installation

Installation is the reverse of removal.

Quick-Clean the throttlebody: MPFI Horizontal Intake

Saturns commonly have some troubles that benefit from a good throttlebody cleaning, including running rough and a sticking pedal. For a quick check to see if your throttlebody needs cleaned, push down on the quarter circle piece on the end of the throttlebody shaft. If it sticks at all, it needs cleaned. Cleaning is easy and cheap, though, so you may want to clean it anyway.

If you are unfamiliar with how these work, try having someone push on your gas pedal (car off) and watch the throttle plate and surrounding parts. The black quarter-circle piece on the side of the throttle plate housing will be pulled by its attached cable, turning the shaft and moving the plate.

The outside of the plate, as you see here, is normally shiny. The other side, however, is usually rather nasty with an oily sludge.

Author: Jonathan Swain (aka "PurdueGuy")

Relevant Models

1991-1992 SC
1995-2002 SC1
1993-1999 SC2
1995-2002 SL
1995-2002 SL1
1991-1999 SL2
1993-2001 SW1
1993-1999 SW2

Tools

Ratchet
7mm socket

Cleaning

Step 1

Step 2

From here, you can simply push down on the quarter circle piece (see below) to open the throttle plate, and spray carburetor or throttlebody cleaner into the opening. Be ready with a rag, because nasty black liquid will come streaming out. Keep doing this until there is no sticking when pushing on the quarter circle piece.

Step 3

When you’re satisfied with your cleaning, reassemble everything.