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Saturn Ion Starting Problems

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

You are in the Saturn ION Forum.

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

Messages Page 1 of 120

#1 of 1201 Ion won't start under -15 C. by willbren

Jan 23, 2007 (5:07 am)

Help.
 
My Ion won't start under -15 dgres C but when things warm up turn the key and it roars, dealer says when it won't go call us and we will help. What to do? Battery cell freezing or something els I should know about?

#2 of 1201 confused by lisa35

Jan 26, 2007 (1:52 pm)

my problem is i have a 2004 saturn ion 1, it makes a rattle noise underneath, when it is under 20 degrees out, first time was told it was loose trunk latch, 2nd time heat sheild was loose, now who knows. once the exhaust heats up noise goes away.

#3 of 1201 Re: confused [lisa35] by willbren

Jan 29, 2007 (5:16 am)

Replying to: lisa35 (Jan 26, 2007 1:52 pm)
Hi Lisa.
 
You might have a exaust cuplink that is loose and once the exaust heats up the seal closes and the noise goes away.

#4 of 1201 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees by plygirl76

Feb 04, 2007 (9:37 am)

Help! 6 months after I bought this car brand new--I had the ignition switch replaced because it wouldn't start when cold. Dealer said it wasn't a big deal, when it is cold, cars don't start. 4 years later--it's zero degrees, and my car takes forever to start. Usually after about 20 tries, the car turns over and starts. Several people have told me they don't think it's the batttery--but, I have no problem when the car is garaged-and warm. I now have no garage, so, it's a problem. Is there a permanent fix until I can sell it next year? The dealership is no help. Should I heat it up at night and then put a blanket over the engine? Please advise! I live alone and need to get to work and school (and back) safely!

#5 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [plygirl76] by trum34

Feb 05, 2007 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: plygirl76 (Feb 04, 2007 9:37 am)
I have the same problem. I live in MN and whenever the temperature drops, it always takes me a while to get the car started. I also took it to the dealership and they told me it was not my battery but if I wanted they could charge me for a full diagnostic etc. I decided against it.
They told me I may have something to do with my ignition..however I only have problems starting the car when it gets below 20/30 degrees or so.
 
Since that time I have heard from at least two other people who have owned the older Saturn Ion's that they have the same problem.
 
Is there some type of heater that we could install to correct this? If it is not the battery....what are the possibilities?

#6 of 1201 1991 L-series won't start by wrecks13

Feb 09, 2007 (9:34 am)

This motor won't start. My son said he was sitting at a light and the motor just died. It backfires through the intake occasionally when attempting to start. Crank and cam timing seem ok, crank position sensor and intake water sensor are good. Get a code 23 from the computer but my book doesn't show that code. Any ideas?

#7 of 1201 2004 Saturn ION with intermittent starting problem by philsat

Feb 10, 2007 (6:29 pm)

Mostly this problem occurs when I am attempting to start the car for the first each day. Today it happened and it was not a cold day and the time was 12 noon. Each time when I turn the key the car fails to respond (I hear nothing). The odometer spells out Maintain Vehicle. Jumping the battery doesn't help the battery appears to be working great. When I took it to the dealer they could not pull any codes and gave up immediately as they are clueless when it comes to trouble shooting. I have had this problem for over 2 years and was hoping it went away as it didn't fail at all for over 6 month. Lately however it has failed 6 times over about a 12 day period. Each time it has failed the problem has gone away after 10 to 15 minutes.
 
It could be an ignition switch problem such as the one described in other emails on this web site.

#8 of 1201 Re: 2004 Saturn ION with intermittent starting problem [philsat] by seloo

Feb 13, 2007 (11:38 am)

Replying to: philsat (Feb 10, 2007 6:29 pm)
My daughter has a 03 ION that we purchased used from a private party. The previous owner gave me the maintenance records. At around 30K miles the previous owner went to the Saturn Dealer complaining of a intermittent starting problem. The dealer claims that the under the hood fuse box was loose (causing the car to lose ground) the mechanic tighten the box and declared the problem resolved. The car has 55K miles and we have not experienced any problems with intermittent starting. I hope this helps someone.
  
Good Luck.

#9 of 1201 Re: 2004 Saturn ION with intermittent starting problem [philsat] by rockfish1

Feb 13, 2007 (6:48 pm)

Replying to: philsat (Feb 10, 2007 6:29 pm)
This sounds like the same problem I had with my daughter's 2004 ION 2. See my message in the forum
Saturn Problems & Solutions #793 for a description of what worked for me.
 
If you perform the repair, you will need to use the relearn procedure for the passlock system described in
Saturn Problems & Solutions #797
 
Hope this helps to save you a few bucks.

#10 of 1201 Re: 2004 Saturn ION with intermittent starting problem [seloo] by willbren

Feb 16, 2007 (5:34 am)

Replying to: seloo (Feb 13, 2007 11:38 am)
It is the problem I got mine fixed this week. 2005 have the defective part. But saturn won't recall!?!

Messages Page 1 of 120

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