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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 109 of 121

#1076 of 1201 Saturn 04 starting problems by tlc16

Jul 14, 2012 (9:53 am)

Saturntech9 - can you send me the instructions to install the ignition switch and how to relearn the security? Thank you.

#1077 of 1201 Re: Saturn 04 starting problems [tlc16] by pamela519

Jul 14, 2012 (10:55 am)

Replying to: tlc16 (Jul 14, 2012 9:53 am)
There is a video on utube that tells and shows you step by step... I finally got rid of my saturn... I was shocked when someone gave me $1,000 for it.... No matter what we did and how much I spent it always came back to the same thing. Not running.. although the 2 saturn "techs" on here are very nice, unfortunately they don't have any power (sorry but you don't) If they haven't already they will ask you to tell your story, give them your telephone number, etc. Someone will call you up, tell you they hope to be able to help you and from my experience and much of what i've read on here over the last 18+ months, they don't....I find it hard to understand how there are so many people with the same problems... over 1000 messages about it... yet, Saturn, GM, whomever never and still refuse to do a recall. better to constantly get us in there so they can charge ridiculous sums of money. Mine was a 2005 Saturn Ion. it worked great for about 4 years. and then it didn't. you can go back and read my story.. it's all over these pages... as i said, I was finally able to sell it and I now am a happy owner of a Jetta..... I will NEVER buy a saturn or a GM product again... I got the worst treatment, spent way too much money and the car was never the same again... Try the U Tube video... once I sold the car back at the end of March, I deleted all the videos... also, another way I have been told is to cut a wire... again, look on u tube... good luck to you

#1078 of 1201 Re: Saturn 04 starting problems [pamela519] by dozensaturn

Jul 14, 2012 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: pamela519 (Jul 14, 2012 10:55 am)
Cannot more than agree with what you say to "tlc16" ....
Total spill of money taking the ION to a GM dealer, they have no clue to what is going on.
Cut the wire, a 'dirty' trick but the vehicle will start at all times. There are too many on this site that have described how to do it and that it works ...
The switch is not the remedy!
The ultimate is of course to sell the failing Saturn, and whatever you do, stay away from GM - they have not helped us Saturn owners with this problem. We have weeded out the Saturn's and replacing with non-gm vehicles ...
Good luck to you.

#1079 of 1201 Re: Saturn 04 starting problems [tlc16] by saturntech9

Jul 15, 2012 (12:38 pm)

Replying to: tlc16 (Jul 14, 2012 9:53 am)
Just to clarify something here someone mentioned two saturn techs on here collecting phone numbers trying to help.Those are gm customer service reps just to get that straight.Iam a saturn service tech was one for over 16yrs.Would i own a saturn ion yes i would.My niece has 2003 saturn ion has owned it since new.I replaced her igniton switch with a factory one atleast 4 years ago that was the first one i had replaced in that car.Yes there problems with the switches.Yes i have replaced a lot of them.They redesigned the switch like 3 or 4 times.The problem ran up to the 2006-2007 model year the 2007 was the last year of the saturn ion.I replaced a friends 2006 saturn ion ignition switch about 2 years ago for no starts with a auto zone one that i think is made by wells.It still starts perfect as well as my nices 03.I wouldnt cut any wires especially knowing the fix is a simple one like replacing the ignition switch.There super cheap on amazon you can get a acdelco one for cheap.Tlc16 whats your email address?I will email you instructions and how to relearn the pass lock.

#1080 of 1201 Re: Saturn 04 starting problems [saturntech9] by dozensaturn

Jul 15, 2012 (2:41 pm)

Replying to: saturntech9 (Jul 15, 2012 12:38 pm)
SaturnTech9,
I am with you in regard to the switch. Redesigned 3 or 4 times? Did they change part number, or how can the most recent design be identified?
I have changed a total of 3 over the years, 2 bought at a GM dealer and 1 at Rockauto. One of the GM dealer sourced switches was 'bad' right out of the box, the other two are still functioning ...
Total ION miles driven well over 1,000,000.
With the exception of the starting problem, the only other problem was keys stuck in ignition on most of ours. Saturn was no help there. Changed 8 or 9 ION's at our expense.
Biggest problem has been lack of support by GM (including Saturn when they were still there) to solve these irritating problems.
Other than that, the Saturn brand was a good brand, from day one to the end. We were indeed sorry to see them go!

#1081 of 1201 remote start by mrh562008

Jul 15, 2012 (2:57 pm)

I still say go with the remote start, it cost me about $350 but it was well worth it being as i havent had to scramble around to switch vehicles last minute on the way to work or a drs appt or something of that sort, i had it installed in march and used the remote alot when it was a little chilly, i havent really been using it lately tho being as it has been pretty warm and since the remote doesnt go thru the alarm it doesnt mess w the passlock at all which ive come to believe is the true problem. when i do use the remote the car is already started at the point when i put the key n the ignition ill keep updating as the year goes on but i think ive only had the no start problem once since i got the remote (and that was my fault for not pushing the button instead of using the key to begin w) so one no start in 4 months i cn live w that, thats for sure

#1082 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems [gmcustsvc] by danieka

Jul 16, 2012 (5:54 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Jul 08, 2011 6:51 am)
Can you please contact me regarding this problem as soon as possible. I do not want to throw money away on unecessary fixes that do not work. Please email me at mzzniekayahoo.com.

#1083 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems [danieka] by gmcustsvc

Jul 17, 2012 (7:42 am)

Replying to: danieka (Jul 16, 2012 5:54 pm)
danieka,
Please email your VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, and complete contact information to me. I look forward to your email.
Christina
GM Customer Service
SocialMediaGM.com

#1084 of 1201 starting problems by ohio85

Jul 18, 2012 (7:54 am)

i have a 2003 ion. ive had it for 4 years now. up until this present summer i only had starting problems in cold weather. but now its doing it in warm weather also. i have to wait 14 minutes before i can attempt to start my vehicle again. if i only wait 13 minutes the vehicle will not start and then i have to wait another 14 minutes. my mechanic has no idea of how to fix this problem. ive read on here people suggesting cutting a white wire, replacing the ignition or buying a remote start. can anyone tell me what the best option is from their experience?

#1085 of 1201 Re: starting problems [ohio85] by saturntech9

Jul 18, 2012 (9:34 am)

Replying to: ohio85 (Jul 18, 2012 7:54 am)
Iam very familar with this problem saturn has a bulletin for it in fact.When the ignition switches fail they usually fail and cause a no start when outside temp reaches 40 degrees or lower.What happens is the grease in the switch starts to become a solid and then skews the pass lock sensor readings causing a no start.Then as it gets worse it can happen at warmer temps.So when it doesnt start is the security light on solid or flashing?Also what i can tell is have the guy scan your body control module for codes if he has a more advanced scanner he cando this.If there is a B2960 and or B3033 then you would replace the ignition switch.Also i have seen the no starts with bad ignition switches without any codes.It just all depends how long its been happening etc.

Messages Page 109 of 121

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