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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 65 of 121

#638 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [gmcustsvc] by dozensaturn

Aug 11, 2011 (6:06 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Aug 11, 2011 8:18 am)
You better hurry up getting to a gm dealer ... the window is less than ten, yes ten minutes and the car may start and the dealer cannot trace the problem. GM need to get a car that is 'guaranted' to have the starting problem and to the diagnostics themselves. I have at least one, that act up every week, sometimes more than once in one day! I will gladly sell them this vehicle ... By the way, to change the AC Delco Switch (less than $20 at Rockauto.com ... same as the GM dealer sell for $49) is NOT the answer.

#639 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [dozensaturn] by notlkh

Aug 12, 2011 (5:13 am)

Replying to: dozensaturn (Aug 11, 2011 6:06 pm)
So many opinions about this issue.
 
DozenSaturn first is adamant that the issue is not weather related,
Saturntech9 insists it is the ignition switch, and should be changed immediately
GMCustsvc suggests waiting until it stops starting and let the dealership diagnose and correct,
And then Dozensaturn points out that the diagnostic window is the 10 minutes that it won't start...
 
It seems that the white wire method is the most reliable, but to me it also suggests that the issue is not currently diagnosable, as I don't believe the diagnostics have been designed to detect variations in resistance in a wire due to possible temperature variations, and I also agree with the 10 minute diagnostic window that Dozensaturn mentioned.
 
But the ignition switch, is it physically connected to the white wire? If not, I don't see how it could correct the starting issue...

#640 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [notlkh] by dweezil

Aug 12, 2011 (6:22 am)

Replying to: notlkh (Aug 12, 2011 5:13 am)
The white wire fix as mentioned also sets off a light on the dash that can get you failed on smog and other inspections. That's mentioned in one of the "how to" videos on You Tube as well.
 
There is a Passlock "bypass" kit available that I read about in this very Edmund's thread that is sold by car stereo outfits that's been used with some success .

#641 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [notlkh] by dozensaturn

Aug 12, 2011 (7:28 am)

Replying to: notlkh (Aug 12, 2011 5:13 am)
Yes there are many opinions about the 'starting issue' ... Yet, GM has not come thru with a corrective repair procedure, nor even issued any recommendations other than tow the vehicle to a GM dealer for diagnostic tests ...
The fact is - not all ION's that we have or have had experience this problem. Of our's, one is notorius - several times a week, sometimes multiple times the same day. Another one a handful times per year. Then other's that has never had that problem. We are 'facing out' the ION's for non GM vehicles.
It really disturbs to read how many - even at dealerships get taken and have the battery replaced. The battery is NOT the cause of the problem.
 
Would it not be great if GM would announce a solution to this problem, and then stand behind that to be correct - and this problem would go into the history books!

#642 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [notlkh] by saturntech9

Aug 12, 2011 (8:31 am)

Replying to: notlkh (Aug 12, 2011 5:13 am)
My advice comes from being a saturn factory trained tech i worked for saturn dealers fixing them over 16yrs.My niece bought the first year saturn ion a 2003 and she still has it and it had that starting issue everyone is talking about.I replaced the ignition switch with a new factory one from the dealer i worked at.It was well over three years ago has to be closer to four and she hasnt complained of it not starting again.But we live in sunny southern california and she works in palm springs california where it gets really hot during the summer so that would kill the hot weather fail idea.Last summer my friend who owns a 2006 ion who lives in indio california a little past palm springs and it gets a little out there then palm springs.Every winter only when it cold out his car wouldnt start i replaced his ignition switch with one from auto zone over a year ago and they told me it was made by wells.Most of the ignition switchs i repalced on the ions when i worked at the saturn dealer before they all closed i replaced in the colder part of the year.Thats when they mostly came there were some during summer but not like in colder part of the year.They have redesigned the switch like 3 or 4 times because thenpart number kept changing.There was also bulletines if it was this part number change the switch.If you were to have no start and brought it right in iam sure they would find the B2960 and or B3033 codes in the body control module like some people are talking about do the diagnostics.But from my expernice if it was my car or a family members or friends car i would just change the ignition switch.But its your car and up to you what you want to do.Sounds like the one person works for gm customer service that is telling you to wait till it happens and have it diagnosed.Havent seen a post from them since i said maybe if they can for sure tell you it will be a free repair to possible think about waiting.But now you have the facts to base your decision on.Just hope a emergency doesnt happen and it doesnt start when you could have just replaced the switch.

#643 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [gmcustsvc] by hatesaturnion

Aug 12, 2011 (12:43 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Aug 11, 2011 8:18 am)
Caron,
 
GM Customer service has done nothing but give me the run around. If you want my case #, I can give it to you... but basically they tell me I need to go to a GM dealer... which I did before... but now they are no longer a GM dealer, so I need to go to a new place and pay them out of pocket to diagnose the issue. This is a GM ponzi scheme- the dealers make money and GM moves on to other things, not caring about its customers. Customers want #1 -issue reolution and for GM to take accountability for their faulty ION models with ignition start problems. GM customer service is not doing that. What I would really love is for Saturn/GM to pay for me to get the problem diagnosed and fixed- maybe a total of $500 at the most. Will GM do that? NO!!! I have requested, and still get the run around. Now Caron- you tell me what I can do!

#644 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [notlkh] by mkreisher

Aug 13, 2011 (4:32 pm)

Replying to: notlkh (Aug 10, 2011 8:08 am)
Has anyone had a problem with their saturn turning off on its own while driving down the street? Ive never had a problem starting it but occasionally (3 times in the past 4-5 months) the car has turned off after I went over a bump while driving down the road. I got a new battery and that didnt fix the problem. Ive read all over the internet that this is a problem with Saturn Ions and not even Saturn can figure out how to fix it. Any help/comments would be extremely awesome. Thank you! Oh, Ive got a 2005 with a lil over 100,000 miles.

#645 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [mkreisher] by saturntech9

Aug 13, 2011 (4:47 pm)

Replying to: mkreisher (Aug 13, 2011 4:32 pm)
So when it dies when you hit a bump will it restart right away?Also have you had it scanned for codes yet?The engine and body computer?Those ions have had a lot of issues with terminal tightness issue i have found a lot of open terminals causing all kinds of problems.One thing you can try and has helped me find loose terminals on those cars is let the car idle and smack the under hood fuse box with your hand on top side etc also do the same with inside fuse box/bcm see if the car dies.

#646 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [hatesaturnion] by saturntech9

Aug 13, 2011 (4:59 pm)

Replying to: hatesaturnion (Aug 12, 2011 12:43 pm)
Its a easy cheap fix if your handy with tools or know someone that is all you have to do is replace the switch and relearn the pass lock sensor.The switch at auto zone are 50 and the ones on amazon are 22.If you have been having issues lately with it like the last couple of days you can have body control module scanned for codes and have a B2960 and or B3033 then you have a bad switch.If it was my car and it was intermintantly not starting i would just replace the switch.

#647 of 1201 Re: again! [justjessica] by saturntech9

Aug 13, 2011 (5:03 pm)

Replying to: justjessica (Aug 09, 2011 4:59 pm)
So when did you replace the switch?They have redesigned that switch 3 or 4 times.You can replace it with one from auto zone there switch is made by wells its a easy replacement.

Messages Page 65 of 121

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