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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 38 of 121

#364 of 1201 Problem Starting Saturn Ion? COMPLAIN! by mrniceguy424

Dec 02, 2009 (9:14 am)

I bought a used 2004 Saturn Ion 6 months ago. I have had no real problems until it started getting cold. Now, most mornings I have the common ignition problem that everybody else has.
 
I turn the key, everything lights up, the engine cranks once, then nothing. I have to keep turning the key all the way off, wait 10 seconds, and try again. Eventually, after 10-30 minutes of doing this repeatedly, the car starts. Every once in a while, the car does start after only a few tries.
 
I have read about this problem on many different forums, and I am angered and dismayed that GM will do nothing about this. Good thing my employer is understanding, and has not fired me yet for being late every time this happens.
 
If you own an Ion in a cold climate, you will have this problem. There are several simple fixes, but I think GM should do something about it.
 
Please complain to BBB at http://www.bbb.org and the NHTSA at https://www-odi.nhtsa.dot.gov/ivoq/Complaint.cfm

#365 of 1201 Re: Problem Starting Saturn Ion? COMPLAIN! [mrniceguy424] by joetree

Dec 02, 2009 (10:04 am)

Replying to: mrniceguy424 (Dec 02, 2009 9:14 am)
Mr nice guy, just go ahead and cut the white wire under the ignition. Make sure you watch the video on how to cut the white first. I cut the wire shortly after my posting and ship the car to California then drove it to Las Vegas and my daughter has been driving it and it has not failed to start. Everything else is working just fine. Good Luck!
Joe

#366 of 1201 Re: Try Battery ground [canadianay] by davidjmechanic

Dec 04, 2009 (12:35 pm)

Replying to: canadianay (Sep 11, 2009 1:13 pm)
Excellent diagnostic analysis !! I wish I would have read this before I got it towed to Saturn only for them to tell me I needed a new battery. Beware of this problem !

#367 of 1201 Wrap up the steering column to keep it warm by kathryn5

Dec 04, 2009 (11:36 pm)

A few days ago on a whim I wrapped several scarves around the steering column and the ignition of my 2003 Saturn Ion thinking that if I could keep it warm it might start. For the past five days I have wrapped it up and it has started every time. After the first time I added a long piece of quilt batting and then secured it with a scarf. It sounds silly but so far it's working. I live in the Northwest so it doesn't get much colder than slightly below freezing. The ten minute problem didn't start until last year. That may be due to the fact that we had rather mild winters from 03-08.

#368 of 1201 saturn ion problems by lwodarek

Dec 06, 2009 (2:00 pm)

I boughta saturn ion 2 at the end of 2005. My 2006 was a lemon from the start. Made all kinds of noises, air circulation vent didn't close tightly, then there was the window leaking all the time. More or less they did some test it never leaked. Must have been my imagination..lol Then the following year the not starting of the car started. Had the whole ignition replaced some gel was worn out they said. A year later had to keep replacing brakes and tires every year since. The car had to be jumped once and lost my radio over that. They sell you the car and dont tell you all this anti-theft devices. So the $50 charge to plug in some numbers to the motor for my radio costed me $200 to get the radio back. Now the car has issues with the power steering just cutting out whenever it wants too. Did they tell you there is no power steering pump and that the car runs off of a circuit board for steering? No they did not tell me that. I have hated this car since day one, I have complained about it at least twice a year since I bought it to Saturn. They don't care they just want your payment. I have always bought foreign cars and now I know why. Parts of my car are foreign but not all. To top it off my deal no longer sells Saturns and they charge way too much to fix things. A purchase I will never forget.

#369 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [badygirl3779] by aim2please

Dec 07, 2009 (9:59 am)

Replying to: badygirl3779 (Mar 03, 2009 11:03 pm)
my car does the same cold weather not start thing. last week my car didn't want to start back up for me at night when i had driven it all day. waited it out and then it worked fine.
yesterday the same scenario but it wouldn't start up for nothing. tried getting it jumped started cause back in july it locked up on me after running the radio and fan for 20 mins. the saturn mechanic said to get it jump started. was stuck at marshalls parking lot and had it towed home. then had it jumped the next morning.
 
had no problems till yesterday. it wont start even after getting jumped 2 times. finally got it towed to the mechanic and am waiting to see what they say is the problem. the tow truck driver thinks its the anti theft device and the roadside assistance guy said its the starter. so let's see.

#370 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [aim2please] by esprix

Dec 07, 2009 (11:55 am)

Replying to: aim2please (Dec 07, 2009 9:59 am)
aim2please, have you read back through this thread? There's clear instructions on how to easily solve this problem yourself without having to get a new starter.

#371 of 1201 Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [esprix] by aim2please

Dec 07, 2009 (3:41 pm)

Replying to: esprix (Dec 07, 2009 11:55 am)
well got my car back from the service center that i used before. the problem was my battery. it was no good and had to be replaced. they said it started right up. it wasn't the 10 min wait it out problem..that's a separate issue & I always wait it out. i did notice last winter that the no start only happened when i didn't get my oil changed when the dashboard computer gave me the reminder. i had to wait a few months cause of finances. after i got the oil changed and fluids checked and free safety check done it was fine 'til the incident in July. might have been bad cells in my battery all this time. i will look into the white wire fix if it acts up again. my mechanic said that this was def. a bad battery. thank the Lord it was nothing too major.
 
btw i just found out about the white wire work around as of yesterday. also i will look into getting a battery warmer. might ask my brother to get one for me for Christmas.

#372 of 1201 Contemplating Cutting the White Wire by npbrandt5920

Dec 08, 2009 (12:44 am)

My wife owns a 2004 Saturn Ion, after looking on YouTube and seeing oblio9's video I am contemplating cutting the white wire. She had this problem last year and once again the temperature is dropping and the car is not starting. I was wondering if anyone who has cut this wire has seriously messed up their car? Oblio how is your car running? Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Thank You

#373 of 1201 SAme problem starting/PASSLOCK..wait then good but with an '06 by sapphireraven

Dec 08, 2009 (9:50 am)

Okay...this white whire fix sounds AWESOME! Becasue i know if i call the dealer it's gonna cost money!! I have seen the TSB# for this and it suggests a new ignition sitch and reprogramming. Does anyone know oif the white whire fix will work for 2006?? I don't want to cut something i shouldn't be cutting!!!
 
THANKS!!

Messages Page 38 of 121

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