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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 67 of 121

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

Aug 16, 2011 (10:38 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Aug 16, 2011 10:29 am)
Dear Caron,
 
I have created a case with Saturn already. I will email this to you as soon as I can find your email address. My frustration is with the fact that the GM Dealers change, and so one dealer said, they can waive the diagnosis fee if I been to them before. I did not go to them before since my GM dealer closer to my home is no longer a GM dealer. Due to the changes of relationships, I need to suffer the expense... it's not fair. Perhaps they can transfer my file from the previous GM dealer to the new one. I spent hundreds at the previous dealer to fix brakes, regular maintenance and service, and now you mean to tell me this information is lost between dealers?

#661 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems by rvsam

Aug 16, 2011 (2:49 pm)

Dear hatesaturnion: I have a 2005 Saturn Ion 3, automatic, 2.2 Liter. I had your passlock problem. I was an electronic technician for years and challenged myself to fix this. I found the answer for my problem on the many websites along with trial and error and persistence. My problem and probably yours was I replaced the "ignition switch solonoid" ( I am not sure of the correct nomenclature), not the ignition key cylinder. I was able to put it in myself. You have to remove the 3 piece steering column housing. It is located just below the key cylinder and is easy to unplug, remove and replace. The part was about $30. I had to "retrain the passlock system". That procedure is easy to find on this website. Next I had the stuck key problem. When you turn off the key it will not come out of the ignition. After much inconvenience and time it turns out you can remove a small plastic access cover just below the ignition switch. This allows you to put your finger into the hole and push a little button and your key is released. I found the cause of this on my own. It turns out that there is a microswitch as part of the electro-mechanical Park Position assembly that closes when in Park position. When it fails it stops you from taking your key. I tried to fix this but got the wrong part. I decided to just push the button.
If anyone is interested, I had a third problem with "no click, no crank, and no start when key is turned to start. This was not a passlock problem. It turns out that there is an inline fuse taped to the wire bundle in the trunk. The fuse looked good. Thankfully I i tested it electrically and replaced it. My car was out of commission for 2.5 months while I tried "just answer" and all the usual internet sites including this one. No one had a clue except that they said check the fuses. No one alerted me about the inline fuse and its location. I found it on my own after finally getting a detailed wiring schematic. I hope that those who have fixed their Saturns will post the cures because it would have caused thousands to fix these three problems if I had went to a GM dealer. As the posts on this site will confirm, trouble shooting is the very last thing attempted by the dealer. I was advised that the BCM needed to replaced or reflashed, the ECM had a failure, the park neutral switch had failed and on and on. No one said check the inline fuse in the trunk. Finally, I love my Saturn Ion. I am sorry it has had these problems but I believe that the cures for these predictable, common and even inherent problems should be made common knowledge so that we can continue to drive and enjoy our Saturns.

#662 of 1201 not turning on and then turing on 10 - 60 minutes later by pamela519

Aug 16, 2011 (3:58 pm)

About 2 summers ago I had my first instance where my 2005 saturn ion 1 did not turn on. as someone else said it did not click, nothing. the radio still worked, the lights. then exactly 12 minutes later it started. over the next 2 years it would still randomly happen and then it was 20 minutes and in the past year it was happening more and lasted up to 60 minutes. finally, about 2 months ago i had my dog up at the fields and it would not start. when this first happened my daughter;s boyfriend googled and was blown away by how many people have this problem, yet saturn refuses to acknowledge it and refuses to do a recall. i was quoted too much for me to afford and was told it was the starter. i read somewhere that for $22.95 i could buy an ignition relay and that should solve it. i am at my wits end. I can't afford another car right now and have been using my daughter's as she is out of town.
 
Does anyone have a true solution to fix this?

#663 of 1201 Re: not turning on and then turing on 10 - 60 minutes later [pamela519] by gmcustsvc

Aug 18, 2011 (9:12 am)

Replying to: pamela519 (Aug 16, 2011 3:58 pm)
pamela519,
 
Were you planning on having the fixed at a GM dealership? Please keep me posted.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service

#664 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems [gmcustsvc] by perkiekat

Aug 18, 2011 (9:31 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Aug 15, 2011 12:22 pm)
I already know Saturn is not covering the charge to fix this. I already spoke with Customer Care. So its $200.00 out of my pocket.

#665 of 1201 Re: not turning on and then turing on 10 - 60 minutes later [pamela519] by saturntech9

Aug 18, 2011 (9:48 am)

Replying to: pamela519 (Aug 16, 2011 3:58 pm)
You dont need a starter relay you need a ignition switch there about 22 on amazon.There easy to change with basic tools you just have to relearn the pass lock sensor.I work as a saturn tech for 16yrs its going to be most likely the swich i would change the switch if it was my car.

#666 of 1201 Re: not turning on and then turing on 10 - 60 minutes later [gmcustsvc] by pamela519

Aug 18, 2011 (9:49 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Aug 18, 2011 9:12 am)
I would like to, but I can't afford it. As someone else said above, the dealership will charge between $100 - $125 just to diagnose the problem. When I brought the car in to get the oil changed right after our local Saturn was now the GM/Chevy dealership I was told they have never heard of this problem. I had it towed to a mechanic that came highly recommended and told him the problem. He ended up putting in a new battery (i had no idea my battery was bad) and I now owe him $177 for the new battery and labor. he told me the car needs a starter and with the $177 plus the new starter and labor he wants over $500. I do not have that. I was told to try the ignition relay which is a very cheap part. I don't know what to do. Any advise?

#667 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems [perkiekat] by hatesaturnion

Aug 18, 2011 (10:05 am)

Replying to: perkiekat (Aug 18, 2011 9:31 am)
Caron from customer service will only send you to a GM Dealer and you need to pay out of pocket. I was told that I could have the diagnosis fee waived if I was at that dealer before. Unfortunately the dealer I went to and spent hundreds in the past is no longer a GM dealer. So now, I have to pay out of pocket again. After having to freeze outside with my newborn to wait for the car to start, GM will still not take accountability. Aren't the tax payers bailing GM out, and they tell us, each case is individual. You don't have to be smart to tell these are all the same issues! See my canned response from Caron of GM:
  
 
After reviewing the case the vehicle must be diagnosed by a GM dealership and
unfortunately there is a diagnosis fee. As all major companies or corporations,
we have standard operating procedures. GM does handle their customers
individually, and not all circumstances are the same, so they must be handled on
a case by case basis. If you decide to have the vehicle diagnosed please feel
free to contact your agent directly.
 
Thank you,
Caron, GM Customer Service
 
And here was my reply to that:
Classic case of GM not taking accountability. I appreciate your canned response
and lack of help. Solidifies my frustrations with GM. As a tax payer, I bailed
GM out and now, GM is saying, to me, oh well! I sure hope GM goes down to the
ground as it deserves in terms of no longer being able to operate this way.
Please do not take my tone personally as I'm sure you are following your
standard code. Is there an address to send the CEO a letter? If you can email it
to me directly I appreciate it.
Many thanks and good luck!
 
I am beginning to think that Caron is a mde up computer avatar because clearly she speaks like a GM robot.

#668 of 1201 Pamela- don't spend another dime by hatesaturnion

Aug 18, 2011 (10:12 am)

Pamela- don't spend another dime!! The GM dealers are just making money off of you. A family member used to work for GM and knows these problems happen all the time, and they jerk you around to make money off of you! And the only reason why GM wants you to go to them is so they make money. Something has got to change. This is a GM ponzi scheme! This is my advice based on my insider mechanic who knows this- he diagnosed mine and said it is the GM faulty ignition siwtches connected to the Anti-theft system in these Saturn ION models. Why do you think they stopped making the Ion? Too many issues in the design, and GM doesn't take accountability.

#669 of 1201 Re: 2005 Saturn Ion Electrical Problems [hatesaturnion] by Kirstie@Edmunds HOST

Aug 18, 2011 (10:28 am)

Replying to: hatesaturnion (Aug 18, 2011 10:05 am)
Let's be careful not to attack any member personally. You can bash the company all you want, but we ask that members treat other members with civility and respect. Alternatively, you can ignore them.

Messages Page 67 of 121

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