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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 17 of 121

#159 of 1201 by agawamguy

Dec 17, 2008 (1:43 am)

Hey everybody!
 
I just got done reading every post in this thread.
 
Over the summer I purchased a slightly used 2006 Ion from a Saturn Dealership here in New England and now that winter is here I'm having problems with the PassLock.
 
I'm pretty pissed off that this is all happening but I've got to get it fixed one way or the other because I can't keep getting stranded for 10 minutes every time it's cold outside.
 
After stopping in at three service stations today, I found one that understands the problem and will install a bypass.
 
I found a guy that sells them on Ebay for $39.00 + s&h.
 
If I buy the By-Pass, the service station will install it. They said it will probably take an hour or so to do the job.
 
Once I receive the by-pass in the mail, I'm gonna look over the directions. I all ready took the cover off of my steering column and I can see the wires everyone is talking about and I can see the ignition switch. If the directions seem simple and straight forward I'll try it myself.
 
I will let everybody know how I make out.
 
I'm also going to call the numbers to Saturn that were posted earlier.
1-866-790-5700 & 1-888-327-4236
 
Other than this huge problem, I like my ION.
 
Chuck

#160 of 1201 Re: May have found an easy solution to the starting problom [bertbaggins] by agawamguy

Dec 17, 2008 (2:35 am)

Replying to: bertbaggins (Nov 20, 2008 3:33 pm)
Hey Bert, how'd you make out with your bypass switch?
 
I'm thinking of going with this company:
 
 http://www.nopasslock.com/

#161 of 1201 Re: May have found an easy solution to the starting problom [agawamguy] by bertbaggins

Dec 17, 2008 (6:40 am)

Replying to: agawamguy (Dec 17, 2008 2:35 am)
I'm having a hard time figuring out how to intall the switch. It all is pretty straight forward, however the directions given with the kit of for hooking it up with a remote start. the ignition wire is supposed to hook up somewhere, and I also can't figure out what to do with the pink wire on the bypass kit, because there is no pink wire to splice it to on the saturn. the diagram I'm talking about is posted earlier by Meron post 85 or a little after that. does anyone else know what to do?

#162 of 1201 Re: May have found an easy solution to the starting problom [bertbaggins] by agawamguy

Dec 17, 2008 (6:59 pm)

Replying to: bertbaggins (Dec 17, 2008 6:40 am)
Hey Bert:
 
I just wrote to link title about any installation issues. Hopefully this guy "Carlos" will get back to me.
 
I have no intention of hooking up a remote starter either. My mechanic suggested a remote car starter store might also be able to install the bypass as well.
 
A large corporation might not do it because of legalities but a small mom & pop car stereo / remote starter shop might do it.
 
It's too bad we can't just go to the Saturn dealerships to install the bypass!!

#163 of 1201 Re: May have found an easy solution to the starting problom [meron] by taina

Dec 22, 2008 (12:05 pm)

Replying to: meron (Dec 12, 2008 4:41 pm)
Dear Meron,
 
Over the weekend I got my boyfriend to cut the white wire..the passlock light stays on and the "service needed" message comes up but so far so good--the car is starting! No problems with the viper alarm. I tested it today (we are in the northeast and the temp is 13 degrees) and it started immediately!
 
Thank you for your post and a special thanks to the person who posted the pics on flicker.com
 
I will keep you all posted if things change.
Happy Holidays,
Taina

#164 of 1201 Meron - Thanks! by Phil_MN

Dec 24, 2008 (9:18 am)

Hi Meron – Let me add my thanks for your help on the board.
 
I had the starting problem the past two winters, but very sporadic. This year I’m parking it outdoors and the problem was more frequent since winter hit. I first replaced the battery and then the starter. When that didn’t resolve the problem I decided to check the Internet and found this site.
 
I did try installing a new ignition switch. I was very proud of myself last Saturday when I got through the key relearning procedure without setting off the air bag. All seemed well until the car didn’t start on Monday. Monday night I cut the white wire and it has been fine since then. I will soon be placing black tape over the annoying security fault light.
 
To anyone else researching this problem: Turning the key and leaving it until the security light goes off – doesn’t work. New ignition switch – Evidently works sometimes, but didn’t for me. Go with Meron’s advice and cut the white wire while the car is running. (To be safe I pulled the air bag fuse while I cut the wire.)

#165 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start....lol [mappee] by djmcgin

Dec 26, 2008 (3:13 pm)

Replying to: mappee (Oct 01, 2008 11:32 am)
My friend and I bought 06 Saturn Ions in September and October 05, and they are both having this exact problem - both are out of warranty. So I called the dealership and set up an appointment and told him what I thought the problem was based on this issue. Then I called Saturn Corporate office and set up a complaint for possible cost assistance and they gave me a reference number for each of our cars. So this morning we both took them in at the same time to show them that they were both having problems, and they fixed them both for free. Even though they were both out of warranty, the dealership put it under a warranty somehow and we had $0 charge! Merry Christmas to us!

#166 of 1201 Possible Solution To Try by 4r33l

Dec 26, 2008 (7:24 pm)

After having the annual winter start-up problem, my 2003 Ion started "acting up" again as the temperature dropped to the 30's a month ago. As a fluke, I started pushing down on the brake before starting the ignition. My car has started every single time....even in last week's zero/teen weather! It's pretty early to tell...hopefully that does the trick for good.

#167 of 1201 Re: May have found an easy solution to the starting problom [agawamguy] by bertbaggins

Dec 28, 2008 (7:08 pm)

Replying to: agawamguy (Dec 17, 2008 6:59 pm)
Alright everybody
 
I bought the bypass switch, but nobody that I have emailed about how to install it has responded to my question. Today I finally just did what Meron has been telling us since post # 82 or somthing like that. I cut the white wire. guess what? It works like a charm. seriously just save yourself money and stress by cutting the white wire attached to the ignition switch. Your problem will be solved and all you have to deal with is the yellow light on your dashboard. Thank you Meron.
 
P.S I now have a bypass switch for sale, if anyone still wants to try to install it.
 
Bert Baggins

#168 of 1201 The key by canadianay

Dec 29, 2008 (9:13 am)

Hello,
 
I'm from Canada and last year I started to have this problem. ION 2003 222,0000 KM now, Works great now. Changed battery, starter, no luck. Thanks for the insight, I have a background as an aircraft mechanic and always looked after my own car. After reading all the information I got an idea. I dug out my original spare key and started to use it. No problems now for a month. This really worked. I think my old regular key has become worn out or worn short. The spare key was never really used. Works great for me . No ignition switch change, no cut wire. Thanks for the insight.

Messages Page 17 of 121

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