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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 51 of 121

#498 of 1201 2004 Saturn Ion Cold Start Problem by rb52

Feb 11, 2011 (7:47 pm)

My 2004 Saturn Ion had the same cold start problem - temperatures below 30 degrees and it would not start. After reading several boards regarding this problem I decided to listen to the Master Mechanic that posted a message about having the ignition switch replaced for 2004's and for 2005 and 2006's to have the ignition switch replaced along with the module. Yes, the new switch cost me just over $400.00 but my Saturn Ion now starts even in the negative temps. If the dealer or mechanic gives you a hard time tell them to look up the bulletin regarding cold starts. It will tell them what to do. I hope this helps someone. Good luck!
 
RB52

#499 of 1201 Re: 2004 Saturn Ion Cold Start Problem [rb52] by blucat

Feb 13, 2011 (7:02 am)

Replying to: rb52 (Feb 11, 2011 7:47 pm)
Glad that worked for you. I did the "White Wire Fix" for my granddaughter's ION a year-and-a-half ago and have had zero problems. It cause me 14-cents for two wire connectors.

#500 of 1201 Re: 2004 Saturn Ion Cold Start Problem [blucat] by wes34

Feb 21, 2011 (9:01 am)

Replying to: blucat (Feb 13, 2011 7:02 am)
I ask anyone having a start problem with the saturn ion, to first try checking all fuses under the hood ( especially 10 amp fuses) before you spend hundreds of bucks.
 
My battery went dead, i tried boosting it off. it would not even turn over. i put a new battery in. still nothing. i changed ignition. still nothing. i checked the starter, the clutch switch, and all the fuses that i thought had to do with the starting and running of my vehicle. so to make a long story short, at last resort i began checking all fuses under the hood one by one. I found a 10 amp fuse that was blown. the fuse i found was not even labled on my fuse panel cover. but figuring it wouldnt work, i tried any way. AND IT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO PLEASE CHECK ALL YOUR FUSES!!!!!!!!!
 
I think by boosting the car off I may have blew the fuse not sure tho, because the car wouldnt turn over any way.. so please check fuses. My dash was also reading something when i would turn the key. I cant remrmber if it was pass lock but it was something to that affect. hope i have helped someone.
 
Wes......

#501 of 1201 my saturn is piece of crap by vjoseph

Mar 02, 2011 (12:12 pm)

i thank you all for tricks you have posted!! i called the dealership i bought it from and they acted like they never heard of this before! Seriously. i am looking into law suit. GM knows this vehicle is faulty yet they continue selling them to un-beknownst people and refusing to help them once they've taken our money. i have been caught in the cold and heat on too many occassions. i hate my car.

#502 of 1201 Re: my saturn is piece of crap [vjoseph] by vjoseph

Mar 02, 2011 (12:14 pm)

Replying to: vjoseph (Mar 02, 2011 12:12 pm)
i have always and only driven GM cars,... mostly trucks,.. i have to say,..will be no longer,...my money will go to a company that values their customers,..not just their customers money

#503 of 1201 Battery Advice by lnquach

Mar 04, 2011 (9:21 am)

I had the cold start problems and cut the white wire, which helped for a while. Then it came back again. I decided to replace the battery, except I replaced it with one that had high cold cranking amps and better quality than the one that comes with the vehicle. Haven't had any issues since. It's okay if the battery isn't the same size because it's in the trunk, the space will accomodate a bigger battery, which is apparently what it needs.
Hope this helps someone.

#504 of 1201 Re: 2004 Saturn Ion Cold Start Problem [wes34] by laylahsmut

Mar 06, 2011 (5:28 pm)

Replying to: wes34 (Feb 21, 2011 9:01 am)
Hi my name is kenitra and I have a saturn ion 2004, 2.2 my car wont start and on the dash it reads power start it seems like the same problem you had but we checked all the fues I dont know what it is....

#505 of 1201 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems by clsragonsrule

Mar 07, 2011 (6:58 pm)

In 2005, I purchased a 2005 Saturn Ion for my daughter to drive. It was a sexy, gorgeous car. Now that it is 6 years old, it has been having electrical problems. In December 2009, she was living in CT and going to college. She called to tell me that her car wouldn't start. It was a cold morning. I drove from NJ to CT that evening and boosted her. We took the car to PEP boys and they diagnosed it as needing a new battery. I bought a new battery and went on my merry way. In January 2010, 3 weeks later, she called again and complained that her car wouldin't start. Yes, it was a cold day. I told her to call AAA for a boost and take the car back to PEP boys. They gave her another battery. In December 2010, she was living in NJ and the car was garaged. The car did not start, could not be boosted, had to be towed by AAA to a Cheverlet dealership since there are no more Saturn dealerships. They diagnosed the problem has needing a new battery. I paid Cheverolet twice the amount I paid PEP boys for, yet, another battery. I am dumbfounded that one car could need 3 batteries in 13 months. In January 2011, 3 weeks later, the car wouldn't start in the morning, and it was cold, but responded to a boost. I took the car to my mechanic who suggested that the starting problems was related to the security system, but otherwise he could not find anything wrong.
Last night, we experienced torential rainfall, and the security system set off for no reason. It was silenced by the remote, but the cabin lights would not go off. I got into the car and drove it around the block. When I put it into first gear, the cabin lights shut off. I returned home and turned off the car and again the cabin lights would not shut off. The cabin lights remained "on" for several hours, and we noticed they were off. I assumed that the battery died again. But, the car started this morning. It was 40 degrees this morning. However, my daughter said the interior of the right side of the car was soaking wet: the carpet and the seat were drenched. The windows were closed tight and so was the door. Obviously, there is a seal problem somewhere, but the rainwater has short circuited somewhere. I do not even know where to begin to have it assessed and resolved. This is so bizzarre. I am extremely frustrated that a car that I just finished paying for is now giving me all this grief. I have started to read a lot of blogs and am stunned to find that many people are having electrical problems. I don't know what the solution is. I am so upset, I want to get rid of the car, but how?

#506 of 1201 Passlock system, wire cut by jtarr24

Mar 07, 2011 (7:55 pm)

Hi all,
 
I just wanted to let you all know that I've had the white wire cut and it's done wonders for my starting problems. I have a 2004 Ion and read in this forum (and followed this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5AGhFWcBw) on how to cut the wire. Unfortunately, it does leave a "check engine" light on. I'm installing the toggle switch tomorrow and will try to get a video of it. Cutting the wire works and is pretty easy to do.
 
clsragonsrule:
my saturn is having seal problems as well. The seal is visibly coming off from the door behind the drivers seat. Honestly, I solve it by using some duct tape. It looks tacky, but it works.

Messages Page 51 of 121

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