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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 82 of 121

#803 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [bobcat1984] by sd46916

Nov 10, 2011 (2:47 pm)

Replying to: bobcat1984 (Oct 19, 2011 9:11 am)
Saturntech9: I have 2005 Saturn Ion 2 also having a problem starting on cold mornings recently. Key turns over, click but no turn over & have power to everything else (jump start wouldn't work either). Do you think I should try ignition switch replace or someone else said it could be clutch safety (?) since my car is manual transmission; although I am sure to push the clutch to the floor when trying to start it. Could you please send me instructions on how to replace or repair either (link would do too), part#, etc? My email address is sheila6973yahoo.com. I would sure appreciate it! Do you have any other suggestions for repair?

#804 of 1201 Re: 2003 saturn ion trouble starting [adam271976] by nstuber1971

Nov 11, 2011 (4:39 pm)

Replying to: adam271976 (Nov 07, 2011 1:24 pm)
I have a 2003 Ion with 44,000 miles and bought it brand new. We've had this similar issue for the past 3 years. We have bought new batteries every winter for the last 3 years because that's what we thought it was. But after reading everyone's comments, I'm thinking that's not the case. This has only happened to me once the temp outside drops below freezing. Is that the case with the rest of you? Very frustrating!!! What is the BCM that everyone is talking about? Thanks

#805 of 1201 Re: 2003 saturn ion trouble starting [nstuber1971] by saturntech9

Nov 11, 2011 (5:02 pm)

Replying to: nstuber1971 (Nov 11, 2011 4:39 pm)
The bcm is the body control module it controls the body functions security door locks keyless entry inside lights also is the inside fuse box.Is the security light on solid or flashing when it doesnt start?In your case sounds like a bad ignition switch.

#806 of 1201 Re: 2003 saturn ion trouble starting [nstuber1971] by dozensaturn

Nov 11, 2011 (7:12 pm)

Replying to: nstuber1971 (Nov 11, 2011 4:39 pm)
One thing for sure - It is NOT a battery problem - Many owners have been taken by dealers and service centers. Furthermore, it is NOT a problem caused by the climate. This same problem is common throughout, including warmer areas like Florida, Southern California etc.
No this is a problem that GM (Saturn actually) should have corrected shortly after the ION's were first brought to the market. We have changed lock cylinders (helped on some for some time) and changed the BCM, same there worked on some. The problem is not on all ION's (strange) ... I have several 2005's and a few with 100k miles that are OK - At the same time one of our 2004's need repeated attempts to start almost daily - and this is in FLorida.
Good luck to you ... some day you will do just like us - move away from the non-supportive GM and select from several of their fine competitors ...

#807 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [jenniemcp] by gmcustsvcsarah

Nov 14, 2011 (10:40 am)

Replying to: jenniemcp (Nov 01, 2011 1:00 pm)
Jenniemcp,
 
How have things gone with your vehicle since your battery replacement?
 
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#808 of 1201 Re: 2003 saturn ion trouble starting [dozensaturn] by saturntech9

Nov 14, 2011 (10:51 am)

Replying to: dozensaturn (Nov 11, 2011 7:12 pm)
Most of the time its the ignition switch that fails because it has the pass lock sensor in it.The reason it says on colder weather it happens more often is because of the grease they use.It becomes more solid in temps below 40 degrees.I even had customer that lived in indio california where it gets really hot.Every winter out his car would intermintantly not start changed his ignition switch he hasnt complained about it since.I have replaced a ton of those switches for intermintant no starts hot or cold.There is even a bulletin for it from saturn.

#809 of 1201 Re: 2003 saturn ion trouble starting [dozensaturn] by pamela519

Nov 14, 2011 (11:24 am)

Replying to: dozensaturn (Nov 11, 2011 7:12 pm)
You know I have weighed in a lot on this..... And I, being from southern california can confirm what you have said. Does not depend on the cold weather to start or not.. An old friend of my daughter's who is an ace mechanic put the starter in which both the dealership and the mechanic said I needed. GM dealership wanted $600 to replace the starter, the mechanic wanted $300, Jason bought the starter for $180 and it was in. Car started fine each and every time he started it up. At first he watched the utube video about cutting the wire, than adding the switch so I could pass smog, etc. Everything was great, but when he tried to put the switch in, it froze. turned out to be a loose fuse, but we let them be b/c it was starting fine. He had it for about 10 days and each time started right up. I got it back and it started each time i tried. then on the 3rd try (which was a week after i got it back) it would not start and now the key is stuck in the ignition. it won't turn to off, it's stuck somewhere between "on" (the furthest to the right it can go as when you are starting the car) and the middle (between on and off). Won't budge, won't come out of the ignition. Next up for us, the ignition relay switch, which seems to be the most talked about part on this blog for fixing this problem. He is going to switch out the ignition relay switch with a new one and I pray to God this works. If it does I will be selling my 2005 over 100,000 miles Saturn Ion and be happy with whatever I can get for it. I am so over this and I can't wait to get rid of this car... not sure what i'm going to get, but I am 100% sure it will not be a GM

#810 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [sd46916] by gmcustsvcsarah

Nov 14, 2011 (11:45 am)

Replying to: sd46916 (Nov 10, 2011 2:47 pm)
Sd46916,
 
I see you already have a plan for repairing your Saturn. If we can be of any service to you, even by looking into safety recall information on your vehicle, please don't hesitate to get in touch with us via email with your name/user name and the last 8 digits of your VIN.
 
Best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#811 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [sd46916] by pamela519

Nov 14, 2011 (11:53 am)

Replying to: sd46916 (Nov 10, 2011 2:47 pm)
Be careful when the GM people weigh in. The ones on this blog are very nice, but they have no power when it comes to the important decisions. They will open a file for you, make the appointment for you at the dealer, I even had someone named Raymond call and tried to be helpful. when push came to shove his supervisor took over and I got nothing.. they said i was over warranty, even though i started complaining about this prior to the warranty being expired. and as I said to the saturntech (who is no longer with GM, just someone VERY helpful on this blog) You know I have weighed in a lot on this..... And I, being from southern california can confirm what you have said. Does not depend on the cold weather to start or not.. An old friend of my daughter's who is an ace mechanic put the starter in which both the dealership and the mechanic said I needed. GM dealership wanted $600 to replace the starter, the mechanic wanted $300, Jason bought the starter for $180 and it was in. Car started fine each and every time he started it up. At first he watched the utube video about cutting the wire, than adding the switch so I could pass smog, etc. Everything was great, but when he tried to put the switch in, it froze. turned out to be a loose fuse, but we let them be b/c it was starting fine. He had it for about 10 days and each time started right up. I got it back and it started each time i tried. then on the 3rd try (which was a week after i got it back) it would not start and now the key is stuck in the ignition. it won't turn to off, it's stuck somewhere between "on" (the furthest to the right it can go as when you are starting the car) and the middle (between on and off). Won't budge, won't come out of the ignition. Next up for us, the ignition relay switch, which seems to be the most talked about part on this blog for fixing this problem. He is going to switch out the ignition relay switch with a new one and I pray to God this works. If it does I will be selling my 2005 over 100,000 miles Saturn Ion and be happy with whatever I can get for it. I am so over this and I can't wait to get rid of this car... not sure what i'm going to get, but I am 100% sure it will not be a GM

#812 of 1201 Re: 2003 saturn ion trouble starting [saturntech9] by dozensaturn

Nov 14, 2011 (12:08 pm)

Replying to: saturntech9 (Nov 14, 2011 10:51 am)
Wow! A Saturn Tech that admits something is wrong! And in this posting sharing with us that 'most of the time' the problem is traced to the ignition switch (a GM dealer sourced part at about $50 - available from rockauto.com for less than $20 ...same identical part) and its failing pass lock sensor.
Note - we now learn there is a bulletin from saturn about this!! How come that saturn did not take care of this during the warranty period? How come those gm dealers that service and repair saturn's know about this? The one we have dealt with is 100% clueless about any bulletin - but will happily sell us the $50 part and point out, no return, it's an electrical part. Do I have one, yes, did it work? No ...
Like so many other owners posting ...go elsewhere but a new gm product!

Messages Page 82 of 121

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