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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 46 of 121

#442 of 1201 2005 Saturn ION starting issue by richardbrody

Jun 15, 2010 (1:37 pm)

i have a 2005 saturn ion, 2.2L, manual trans, that will not start. dash lights up with passlock symbol (car with lock on it) and battery is fine. i live in sunny southern california so i'm not sure if this is the "cold weather" starting problem. it sounds like it is but i am not sure. i have been to lots of forums and followed the "start 3 times every ten minutes" suggestion but it doesn't work. it sounds like i have the cold weather passlock problem but i cant even get my car to turn over at all. what is going on here? any help please. thanks

#443 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn ION starting issue [richardbrody] by fixmysaturn

Jun 12, 2010 (1:57 am)

Replying to: richardbrody (Jun 15, 2010 1:37 pm)
i would say its worth it to cut the white wire and see if that solves the problem... you dont have much to lose.
i live in southern cali and never had that problem
but as soon as i moved to northern cali (where it really doesnt get all that cold) i had the problem

#444 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn ION starting issue [fixmysaturn] by richardbrody

Jun 12, 2010 (11:48 am)

Replying to: fixmysaturn (Jun 12, 2010 1:57 am)
i thought i read that your car needs to be running when you cut the white wire. i cant get my car to start at all. what about replacing the ignition switch? and can i do that myself? thanks for the help.

#445 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn ION starting issue [richardbrody] by gmcustsvc

Jun 14, 2010 (1:13 pm)

Replying to: richardbrody (Jun 15, 2010 1:37 pm)
Hello Richardbrody,
Your passlock has been engaged that will cut the fuel off to your vehicle. Because it has been engaged I would suggest taking it to the dealership and have them unlock your vehicle. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

#446 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn ION starting issue [gmcustsvc] by mojo22

Jun 14, 2010 (1:49 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Jun 14, 2010 1:13 pm)
Fools! How do they expect you to get the vehicle to the dealership if it won't start?
 
You need to go into the trunk, disconnect the positive side of the battery cable to interrupt power to the passlock system. Reattach the battery cable--notice that the passlock light is out now, and the car will start. Mine does this on every occasion. Saturn was no help to me. (Do you want to make an appointment???? No, moron, I can't start the car to get it there. Jerks.)

#447 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn ION starting issue [mojo22] by gmcustsvc

Jun 15, 2010 (7:41 am)

Replying to: mojo22 (Jun 14, 2010 1:49 pm)
Hello Mojo22,
Thank you for your informative information. However, not everyone is mechanically inclinded and has to have their vehicles towed to the dealership to get them fixed. If you would like to email me and let me know about your situation please do so. You can get my email by clicking on my name. Thank you,
Mariah GM Customer Service

#448 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn ION starting issue [richardbrody] by justjessica

Jun 15, 2010 (11:35 am)

Replying to: richardbrody (Jun 12, 2010 11:48 am)
Turn your key to the "on" position, you're security light (the lock symbol) is probably blinking. If it is, leave on until the symbol stops blinking. It usually takes about 5-10 minutes. Once the symbol stops blinking, turn car off, wait about 30 seconds and try to start car. It should start. If it doesn't, turn off and wait a few more seconds, start and you should be good to go. From what my mechanic said, the security system needs to "re-learn" the pass code. Why this is happening and how to fix it for good he hasn't been able to figure out. When the car doesn't recognize the pass code the anti-theft kicks in which stops your car from being able to start.
  My mechanic (who is not affiliated w/Saturn or GM) put in a new pass code, made a new key and changed the tumbler assembly and I still have the "no start problem" occasionally. Saturn replaced the ignition switch in 2005 when the car wasn't even a year old. Worked for a year before the problem started again. It is the security system, nothing else. It seems that GM does not want to acknowledge the true nature of the problem which leads to unnecessary repairs and costs. I recently read in a newspaper repair column that an Alero (which is a GM car) owner is having the same problem.
Wouldn't life be so much sweeter if GM would just suck it up, admit to what the real problem is and take care of it like good, decent people should do?
  Hope this helped, good luck, and let me know.

#449 of 1201 Re: What a disappointing car Saturn makes.. [amandabrookeee] by bangel

Jun 16, 2010 (9:18 am)

Replying to: amandabrookeee (Apr 14, 2010 7:56 pm)
Amanda, I have had this issue with my "04 for two yrs. Every since I bought it used. I am nooo mechanic. However, If you watch the video it will take you through it step by step. I just "cut the white wire" 20 minutes ago. It took me longer to put the cover back on the steering column than it did to do the job. Make sure the vehicle is running and DO for sure take the fuse out of the airbag..VERY simple. I am sooo tired of being late for work, and other appointments. If this is the fix I am looking for than I will find out very soon. This car started giving me fits even in humid conditions and I can't take it anymore. I think I cut the wire for spite as much as anything else. Take care all of the other saturn Ion lemon owners....GOOD LUCK...Bryce L. Angel...libertine67yahoo.com...Feel free to check in.

#450 of 1201 Re: What a disappointing car Saturn makes.. [gmcustsvc] by zenwishes

Jun 26, 2010 (4:31 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Apr 15, 2010 8:05 am)
Hey Mariah, I know you weren't talking to me but it's been such a long frustrating journey with Saturn. I bought an Ion 3 in 2003. It's a gorgeous car - one problem has been there since the beginning however. It's the same problem these people have all talked about. There were the non-start issues, the couldn't turn the car off issue (and no it isn't because I'm a girl because my husband and 3 garage guys couldn't turn it off either.) Luckily, it was at the Saturn dealer at the time waiting for it's 3rd ignition. The "couldn't get the key out" issue was quickly resolved once we found out you couldn't have a single thing in your cup holder when you were trying to get the key out since you couldn't jam it into Park hard enough. On and on ---- over the years Saturn has replaced my ignition 3 times. I still have less than 50,000 miles on this car and it is treated with kid gloves. But, no more warranty. Forget the fact that the ignition was replaced 3 times under warranty. That doesn't seem to form a pattern that seems to Saturn to mean they need to fix this problem without charge. Now, to make matters worse - no more Saturn. We got a letter from our dealer that says we have to take the car to the Subaru dealer for dealer repairs. Really? How does that do anything for my Buy American self-mandate. I'm sitting here super frustrated for at least the 7th time since my warranty ran out. Please, if there is such a thing as GM Customer Service for Saturns anymore and if they really are interested in doing something about it, I'll even pay for the tow -- since my Saturn is blocking the car that runs from getting out of the driveway this time! Urrrrrgh!

#451 of 1201 Re: What a disappointing car Saturn makes.. [zenwishes] by gmcustsvc

Jun 28, 2010 (7:33 am)

Replying to: zenwishes (Jun 26, 2010 4:31 am)
Hello Zenwishes,
Is your ignition currently giving you problems? I am not sure why your dealer would give you a Subaru dealer for your Saturn vehicle. GM picked certain dealers to service Saturn vehicles. If you would like to email me your zip code I can find a dealership in your area that will service your Saturn vehicle. You can get my email address by clicking on gmcustsvc. Thank you
Mariah GM Customer Service

Messages Page 46 of 121

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