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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 8 of 121

#64 of 1201 2004 ION No crank-No start DTC B2960 or B3033 Set by gerryok

Jan 20, 2008 (6:29 pm)

My mechanic (not Saturn) printed a technical service Bulletin 3/15/2006 Reference no. 04-08-45-005D affected Models-2003-2006 Saturn Ion Built up to & including VIN Breakpoint 6Z147837
 
My car would not start and it was just 3 1/2 years old, with under 30,000 miles but ,out of warranty. I replaced the battery to the tune of $232.00, because it was a vented one, in the trunk. I had called Saturn and they said it was out of warranty and they would not cover any of the expense, so I decided to have a new battery installed elsewhere. Come to find out it was not the battery at all but a problem with the ignition switch (which Saturn knew about) and had that installed to the tune of $118.00 even though the bulletin came out in Mar. of 2006 when my car would have been covered by the warranty. I bought my car new from Saturn of Daytona Bch Fl. but I will never buy another Saturn again because of the treatment I recieved from that dealership.

#65 of 1201 Re: 2004 ION 3 STARTING PROBLEM [bobkur] by romo3

Jan 20, 2008 (10:25 pm)

Replying to: bobkur (Jan 14, 2008 7:28 pm)
i have a 2004 ION 2.it was fine until it got cold. its not under warranty and i bet its the ignition sitch. i was just wondering if saturn ever reimbursed your money?? And after you replaced it was your car fine?

#66 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [plygirl76] by jlp4

Jan 21, 2008 (6:09 pm)

Replying to: plygirl76 (Feb 04, 2007 9:37 am)
I have had the same problem with my Ion 3. Car is 4 1/2 yrs old w/53K miles. Started having starting problems in Dec 07. I replaced the battery and continued to have starting problems.Saturn said it was the ignition switch which I had them replace for $225. Less then 1 month after having the ignition switch replaced- the starting problem happened again. Went to Saturn and now they are saying the BCM needs to be replaced to the tune of $616. They offer no guarantee that the problem won't happen again once this has been replaced.. I've owned a Saturn car for the last 20 years and this will be my last Saturn.

#67 of 1201 Re: looking for help [rockfish1] by junkionowner

Jan 21, 2008 (7:24 pm)

Replying to: rockfish1 (Dec 04, 2007 1:30 pm)
you can replace it but you have to go through a three stage programing process that can only be done by saturn. For anyone who is having this problem I have been fighting with it for 4 years now and I have had it replaced once already. If your car is out of warranty then you need to call saturn Corporate and tell them what is going on, they will tell you to get a diagnostic done to prove that it is the ignition switch and then they will give you an area manager to deal with the problem I am going through this right now but it seems like every 2 years the switch will go. Sorry for the bad news but this is what I have been dealing with and I live in Maine so every winter I do this in freakin sub-zero temps. yeah!

#68 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [plygirl76] by junkionowner

Jan 21, 2008 (7:33 pm)

Replying to: plygirl76 (Feb 04, 2007 9:37 am)
it is your IGNITION SWITCH I have replaced mine two years ago and now it's doing it again so about every 2 years you will have to replace it. Sorry for no good news but mine has been a piece of junk ever since I got it. and one other thing to get your rear end re-aligned you have to get shim kits and the labor is unreal.

#69 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [junkionowner] by jlp4

Jan 21, 2008 (8:33 pm)

Replying to: junkionowner (Jan 21, 2008 7:33 pm)
I just got the ignition switch replaced in Dec 07. Now Saturn is telling me it's the BCM. I have contacted Saturn Corp and got a case# but I doubt it will do any good. Just another way for Saturn to suck money out of my wallet. The car is almost paid off so I'll get it repaired & hopefully it will last 2 more years and then I'll buy something reliable- not a Saturn.

#70 of 1201 Starting problems - ignition switch by becky1115

Jan 22, 2008 (10:16 am)

I have a 2006 Saturn Ion and have been having trouble this winter with not starting. Turn the key and nothing happens. Of course I have 40,000 miles and warranty up at 36,000. Called dealership and they told me that the grease in the ignition switch gums up when it is cold and doesn't recognize the key which then activites the passlock system and car CANNOT be started no matter what for at least 10 minutes. Started doing some research and it seems Saturn has known about this problem with the ignitition switches for years and have done nothing to correct it. The dealership says they even keep a huge stock of them on hand because they have to replace them so often. They quoted me a price of $205 plus tax to replace switch. Called Saturn corporate in Tennessee and threatened to go to BBB if they didn't offer some kind of reimbursement. Received call the next day telling me they had talked to dealership and I would only have to pay $100 towards repair. I think they should have paid it all, but I guess something is better than nothing. My advice: Call Saturn corporate and give them a piece of your mind. If they get enough complaints maybe they will issue a recall so these can be replaced free.

#71 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [jlp4] by junkionowner

Jan 22, 2008 (6:15 pm)

Replying to: jlp4 (Jan 21, 2008 8:33 pm)
yes well I am in that position right now but what they dont realize is that since they making us pay for the fix that is we have the power of a class action law suit. I have a paper from GM stating that some people may come in with this problem and that the only fix is to replace the BCM, and that is what they told me today. So I have a meeting with an area manager tomorrow, so with that in mind I will not take no for an answer cause this is unethical by every and all means!

#72 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [junkionowner] by jstm1960

Jan 24, 2008 (5:35 pm)

Replying to: junkionowner (Jan 22, 2008 6:15 pm)
I just had the ignition switch replaced today. I have an Ion 04. It cost me $120.00 which if it helps I guess it wasn't too costly. Apparently they hooked up the computer and it told them the ignition switch was open. There is a bulletin out but it just tells them how to fix it. I think they better recall it!! P.S. what is a BCM?

#73 of 1201 Re: 2003 Ion won't start under 10 degrees [jstm1960] by rockfish1

Jan 24, 2008 (6:08 pm)

Replying to: jstm1960 (Jan 24, 2008 5:35 pm)
It sounds like you received a good price for Saturn to replace the ignition switch. The switch itself costs about $30 from Saturn when I purchased one about a year ago.You are also fortunate you did not get pressured into buying a new battery and replacing BCM and the other parts of the system otherwise your repair bill total may have had a comma in it.
 
As for the BCM perhaps this will help:
 
Vehicle Theft Deterrent (VTD) Description and Operation Passlock™ System
 
The theft deterrent system has been incorporated into the body control module (BCM). The theft deterrent is provided in order to prevent the vehicle operation if the correct key is not used in order to start the vehicle. The ignition key turns the lock cylinder. The cylinder rotation produces an analog voltage code in the Passlock™ sensor. This voltage code is received by the BCM. The BCM compares the voltage code to the previously learned voltage code. If the codes match, a class 2 message is sent from the BCM to the powertrain control module (PCM)/vehicle control module (VCM). The message enables the fuel injectors.The design of the Passlock™ system is to prevent vehicle theft by disabling the engine unless the ignition lock cylinder rotates properly by engaging the correct ignition key. The system is similar in concept to the PASS-Key® system. However, the Passlock™ system eliminates the need for a key mounted resistor pellet. The components of the Passlock™ system are as follows:
 
The ignition lock cylinder
The ignition switch
The Passlock™ sensor
The BCM
The security telltale
The VCM/PCM
Ignition Lock Cylinder and Housing

Messages Page 8 of 121

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