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

#257 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [mikeey1] by 784julia

Feb 27, 2009 (8:14 am)

Replying to: mikeey1 (Feb 06, 2009 4:38 pm)
Thanks for the tip about the Saturn bulletin, mikeey1. I'm so glad I found this message board. I had the non-starting problem twice last winter, then twice last week. Last year I took it to my mechanic, who "couldn't replicate the problem," but put in a new battery anyway. This year, I took it to my Saturn dealer.
 
I told them I thought it was the ignition switch, and to see Bulletin Number 04-08-45-005D, Ignition System - No Crank / No Start / DTC's B2960/B3033, dated March 15, 2006, covering Saturn ION models 2003-2006. They said if they do a diagnostic and the codes B2960/B3033 come up, this bulletin tells them it's the ignition switch. They ran the diagnostic, the codes came up, they replaced the switch, and I was on my way (although it did take 1.5 hours and cost $192). The car has started just fine for the last week now.
 
Not the cheapest solution, but easy and aggravation-ending, at least in my opinion.

#258 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [784julia] by badygirl3779

Mar 03, 2009 (11:03 pm)

Replying to: 784julia (Feb 27, 2009 8:14 am)
Yes!! I had the same problem and I took it in and they found out it was the ignition switch. It took them 2 days to fix it and I haven't had a problem since then. At first I thought it might have been my alarm since I had another one installed on top of the manufactory one but they found it was the ignition switch, now I don't have to wait in the cold to find out what's wrong with it. It cost me $179.
 
A happier camper!
 

#259 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [badygirl3779] by bertbaggins

Mar 04, 2009 (6:05 am)

Replying to: badygirl3779 (Mar 03, 2009 11:03 pm)
check back in a year when the same problem starts again.

#260 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [willbren] by mikeey1

Mar 10, 2009 (3:52 pm)

Replying to: willbren (Jan 23, 2007 5:07 am)
Hi,
I had to break down and have my ignition switch replaced last Thursday. I woke up Friday morning to go to work and the car wouldn't start! So I now have another appointment to bring it in this Thursday for them to try again. This is like a bad dream. I'll keep you posted on what happens.
mikeeyv1

#261 of 1201 Re: Wont start Mikey, do this. However, help needed now... by rici

Mar 10, 2009 (5:23 pm)

Replying to: mikeey1 (Mar 10, 2009 3:52 pm)
The only thing that works is cutting the white wire...(go to Youtube and see one of our members here do it..easy and effective.) It is the only thing that works...I got a new ignition switch, I put heating pads on the steering wheel...The cutting of the wire was the only thing that worked.
However, a moot issue now, as the car was totalled last week. Sigh. Loved the Saturn...wonder if other years have the same issue.
Does anyone know?

#262 of 1201 Re: Wont start Mikey, do this. However, help needed now... [rici] by bertbaggins

Mar 11, 2009 (6:56 am)

Replying to: rici (Mar 10, 2009 5:23 pm)
2003 to 2006 ions have this problem. and yes the white wire is the only way.

#263 of 1201 Re: Wont start Mikey, do this. However, help needed now... [bertbaggins] by tbsierra

Mar 11, 2009 (7:03 am)

Replying to: bertbaggins (Mar 11, 2009 6:56 am)
I disagree that cutting the white wire is the only way. We had a remote starter installed about a year ago and as long as we use the remote start to start the car before putting the key in the ignition we have absolutely no problems. If you don't want to cut the white whire have a remote starter installed, make sure whoever installs it understands the passlock system though. Ours cost around $350 last year and the car starts great + we get to warm it up without going outside in the cold.

#264 of 1201 Re: Wont start Mikey, do this. However, help needed now... [tbsierra] by mikeey1

Mar 11, 2009 (2:26 pm)

Replying to: tbsierra (Mar 11, 2009 7:03 am)
I have a remote start also and it doesn't help, tried it this morning in fact and the car didn't start. So remote start didn't work for me. And I have a remote start in my 2002 Nissan installed by the same guy and it has never given me a problem once! Just in case someone was going to say that. It's just the car i'm sad to admit. I had a 1997 Saturn SL2 Beautiful car, had a remote start in that one also never gave me a problem.

#265 of 1201 cut the white wire...now what? by bowman2

Mar 11, 2009 (7:42 pm)

After having problems all winter I finally found out about the white wire and cut it. For the next 10 days it started in zero deg. weather. Then one day the power locks wouldn't work- opened with key, wouldn't roll over. Had it towed home. Blown fuse under hood (number 11 ign). Blown radio fuse in console. replaced fuses. Hooked white wire back up. Still wouldn't roll over. Took it to GM dealer (pontiac with former saturn mechanic). they said it needed an ign. switch. They replaced switch, still wouldn't start. Now they say I need a new body control module! Total bill $848. And I have to wait a week to get it. I told them to just let it sit until I either find another way or find enough $. Any ideas out there?

#266 of 1201 Done by mick24

Mar 13, 2009 (11:46 am)

So I cut the wire on Saturday the 7th of March and have had no problems since then. The post above mine is making me nervous.However I am just glad to not have to worry about being late for appointments. I just followed the procedure on you tube. It was easy.Thanks to the guy who posted the solution and the guy who filmed the procedure for you tube.
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