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Saturn Ion Starting Problems

1201 messages,  Last post on May 10, 2013 at 9:26 AM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn ION, Electrical, Coupe, Sedan

Messages Page 121 of 121

#1192 of 1201 Having startup isues, previously key getting stuck by hiredgoonthug

Apr 27, 2013 (5:17 pm)

Hey all, I'm having trouble starting my Saturn Ion 2, 2005 sedan. I've read through so many of these posts but I'm not sure what fix would be the best for me and I'm thinking it could just be the battery too!
 
Background; I have a 2005 Saturn Ion 2. I had the stereo and front headlight replaced under warranty. The stereo wouldn't work after rain or snow. The CD player was fine, but no radio. They fixed it for me but I still have the same problem to this day. It is rare and will work after a little while so I'm not worried about this.
 
I also hit a snowbank slipping on ice pretty soon after getting the car. Minor wheel-well damage they repaired for me, but my car seemed to have bad alignment ever since. My key will get stuck in the ignition and I'll have to wait for the steering wheel to click so I can get the key out. Sometimes this is really quick, sometimes I have to sit for a while. Sometimes I just wiggle the wheel. Sometimes I have to restart the car and turn the car around. A mechanic told me these cars have this issue and it's not worth fixing as it'll happen again, so I just dealt with it and got used to it.
 
Lately it's been taking a while to get the key out so I'll leave it in the car. Last night I forgot the key in the car. I didn't realize it until I was at work and my girlfriend called to say she thought the battery was dead (I took her car to work that day, she needed to use mine).
 
So I leave work early to come jump the car for her. I first tried starting it to see what happened. I turn the key to just before turning the engine on and it clicks several times. The lights on the dash flicker but nothing happens. Same thing when I try to get the engine to turn on, flickering and clicks. The dash shows the normal start-up lights (engine, breaks, etc.) but not the security light (so no cutting white wire if I could even start it up). It also flashes the No Trac message (like when I have TC off).
 
So is it the ignition, the starter, the battery or the passlock?
 
Thanks for your help!
 
-David N.

#1193 of 1201 Re: Having startup isues, previously key getting stuck [hiredgoonthug] by saturntech9

Apr 29, 2013 (7:39 pm)

Replying to: hiredgoonthug (Apr 27, 2013 5:17 pm)
The key not turning off is caused by a bad micro switch at the base of the shifter it comes with the shift inter lock at the base of the shifter.fixing it will last a long time as far as the no start you probably ran the battery down leaving the key on.I would check all the fuses and have the battery charged and tested.The security lightning on solid or flashing is it?

#1194 of 1201 Re: Having startup isues, previously key getting stuck [saturntech9] by hiredgoonthug

Apr 30, 2013 (5:14 am)

Replying to: saturntech9 (Apr 29, 2013 7:39 pm)
Thanks mate! The security light flashed I believe, only a couple of times like it always does when I start the car (now I'm blanking on this). Got the battery tested and you were right, dead battery. So relieved it wasn't something expensive. It also got me to sign up for AAA, just in case! Thanks for the response!

#1195 of 1201 Why has GM not been held responsible by melaniea73

May 02, 2013 (1:52 pm)

We recently purchased a 2006 Saturn Ion 2 for my daughter, who is a college student. We had never heard of this problem but she's experience it multiple times. Yesterday, the car did this 3 times in a row, causing her to be late for a college class, and this wasn't the first time. Her problem isn't in cold or damp weather either. It seems very random, can't seem to pinpoint any trigger that causes this to happen.
 
How this been going on for so many years, with so many models and GM not have had to be held responsible?
 
I just found out that a family member has had the same problem with their Malibu. 2 different garages worked on 3 different things, all a waste of over $1000 before a hobby mechanic told them what was wrong. Those family members could have used that money to pay for vital prescription medication.

#1196 of 1201 Re: Why has GM not been held responsible [melaniea73] by notlkh

May 02, 2013 (3:11 pm)

Replying to: melaniea73 (May 02, 2013 1:52 pm)
Can you document (say here) what the hobby mechanic said what was wrong with the Malibu? The more models that can be documented with this issue, perhaps we can finally get some action from GM.
 
My Saturn finally had the stop starting issue about a month ago while having an oil change. A mechanic their said "it was my starter going bad" off the top of his head, although I pointed out it would start 11 minutes after it last stopped starting. Again, the "10 minute" consistent delay to me is indicative of a digital timing issue once it fails the first time.

#1197 of 1201 Re: Why has GM not been held responsible [notlkh] by melaniea73

May 02, 2013 (4:46 pm)

Replying to: notlkh (May 02, 2013 3:11 pm)
I am currently sitting in the car trying the "relearn" technique. How am I going to know of this really works though since it's happening so randomly? When I turn the ignition to on but the engine not running, the passlock light only stays on a few seconds. I'm not afraid to cut the white wire but I am afraid that it will just cause more problems. The car does have a starter and door lock remote that was added after market. I have no way of knowing if hey bypassed the security system when they installed it. The car does not have power windows and I assume it did not come with a door lock remote since the one we have is for the after market one. That remote doesn't open the trunk either, though it's supposed to. I have to leave for work before my daughter leaves for classes and she will have a nervous breakdown if it won't tart again tomorrow.

#1198 of 1201 Re: Why has GM not been held responsible [notlkh] by dozensaturn

May 04, 2013 (7:54 am)

Replying to: notlkh (May 02, 2013 3:11 pm)
Action from GM ... Wishful thinking - that's all that is.
Sad part about it is they KNOW, but have no intention to assist or do anything about it except recommend getting the vehicles to a gm dealer for diagnostic test ... all the postings about batteries, starters and so on ,,,, only confirms how clueless mechanics and gm dealers are about this problem. Take your time, read thru porstings after postings and you will come across the problem, then you (or your independant, local mechanic - not a gm dealer) can assist you and your car will start 100% of the time thereafter, cold, rainy or warm and hot days alike! Good luck.

#1199 of 1201 Powers Down on Acceleration! by joes12

May 09, 2013 (7:14 pm)

I noticed if I gun the accelerator,the car gets an engine light and slows down to no faster than 35...a bit dangerous if I'm in traffic! Brought it to the mechanic,they got a code PO 106 and put in a new map sensor. They told me if it happens again that it's probably the throttle body,but then a parts place told me it might just be a throttle sensor. Well it did it again and I've got to go get the engine light shut off again...what gives?

#1200 of 1201 Re: Powers Down on Acceleration! [joes12] by saturntech9

May 10, 2013 (7:39 am)

Replying to: joes12 (May 09, 2013 7:14 pm)
What year model and engine do you have?

#1201 of 1201 Re: Powers Down on Acceleration! [saturntech9] by joes12

May 10, 2013 (9:26 am)

Replying to: saturntech9 (May 10, 2013 7:39 am)
2005,I think it's a 2.2 or something.

Messages Page 121 of 121

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