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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 84 of 121

#824 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [gmcustsvcsarah] by nforr121287

Nov 25, 2011 (8:03 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvcsarah (Nov 14, 2011 11:45 am)
I was reading this thread and looked like others were having problems similar to mine so I figured id see if anyone might be able to give me anymore information. I have a 2005 saturn Ion with about 70,000 miles. A couple days ago my inside lights started acting up, and would stay on til i drove a yard or two. Also my factory alarm would not sound when I locked my car via the keyless entry keypad. Went to start it the next morning and nothing. I assumed my battery was dead because I got nothing when I put the key in the ignition but clicking. So i jumped it. All my lights would come on, my aircondition turned on. everything as far as power was working, but not my car just wont start. wont turn over, or click, or anything. My security light flashes when trying to start it. I called it quits and locked my car with the key fob. The next days my battery had died again, and my alarm would randomly go off faintly and quietly when I wasnt around. Any suggestions from anyone on what It may be or what I should do?

#825 of 1201 Re: 2006 Saturn ion ignition switch [nforr121287] by gmcustsvcsarah

Nov 26, 2011 (6:47 am)

Replying to: nforr121287 (Nov 25, 2011 8:03 pm)
I'm sorry that your Ion is having trouble starting. Have you already been working with a dealership to get a diagnosis on this concern?
 
Sarah
GM Customer Service

#826 of 1201 Saturn ION ignition problems .... by dozensaturn

Nov 26, 2011 (8:45 am)

Dealerships are 'clueless' when it comes to this problem. For the consumer, it is total spill of time and money! If GM has a workable solution - please share it with any and all Saturn ION owners and, why not share it with the gm-dealers as well.

#827 of 1201 Re: Saturn ION ignition problems .... [dozensaturn] by kirstie_h HOST

Nov 26, 2011 (8:55 am)

Replying to: dozensaturn (Nov 26, 2011 8:45 am)
From what I see in this discussion, I tend to agree. Unless you can go in to the dealership already armed with info about what's causing the problem (and what part(s) might need replacement), it appears to often turn in to a pointless waste of time and money. The key seems to be to find a really GOOD mechanic (dealership or independent) who can diagnose & fix the problem the first time.

#828 of 1201 Re: Saturn ION ignition problems .... [kirstie_h] by pamela519

Nov 26, 2011 (2:31 pm)

Replying to: kirstie_h (Nov 26, 2011 8:55 am)
Kirstie, Sarah, nforr121287 and everyone else
 
I am sure some of you are tired of hearing from me. I must say this. I did find a very good mechanic whom I told exactly what I was told time and again in this blog what the problem was. And I had/have the same problems as what was described by nforr121287, except as most of you know mine started in the summer of 2009 and finally died altogether. From this blog i learned it was the ignition relay switch. the mechanic assured me i needed a battery and by that time I probably did. He also said I needed the starter. after reading this 48+ page bog he was uncomfortable working on it further and also, b/c GM told me they would help me. I took it to the dealer and told them about the ignition relay switch a $25 part. they said they had to run the diagnostic on it and then would see. so $180 for the battery, another $129 for the diagnostic and I was told for $600 more a starter. An old friend of my daughters who is an ace mechanic did put a new starter in for $180 (for the part) and for a week it worked fine. now the key is stuck in the ignition, it won;t turn on, the lights, nothing,. I have to get it towed and try this $25 part, but this is so upsetting, frustrating and expensive. My problem started when the car was well under 100,000 and still in warranty. now that it is over warranty GM refuses to pay. And one would think after 843 posts and 43 pages that they would do a recall and make good on the part. I will NEVER by another GM car again. I only hope and pray to get this fixed and get rid of it and have my life back

#829 of 1201 PLEASE HELP ME by nforr121287

Nov 26, 2011 (2:52 pm)

Would an ignition relay switch cause my battery to die? That is what confuses me. My battery died before my ignition switch problems. Is it possible that my battery died due to leaving my trunk ajar and that cause my passlock system to lock up. I am considering doing a passlock reset before I replace the ignition switch because some people are saying that their car will start once in a while after 10-15 minutes. Mine does not start at all. Just flashes the security lock symbol.

#830 of 1201 Re: Saturn ION ignition problems .... [dozensaturn] by notcrankyion

Nov 28, 2011 (6:58 am)

Replying to: dozensaturn (Nov 26, 2011 8:45 am)
Greetings fellow Ion owners! I tend to agree that this is something that GM should have handled better. But as for my personal situation, it is fixed. For how long I don't know (and I'm not holding my breath) but for now I'm up and running again. I DID take my 2003 Ion to the "GM Certified Saturn Service Center" at a dealer. BUT, they have my car running again. They did the $97/hour diagnostic and found nothing and then had to disassemble the ignition assembly. That is where they say the problem was. According to them, when my local mechanic replaced the ignition switch last year he didn't use "genuine GM parts" and the wrong voltage was being passed so the anti-theft system shut the engine down. The total came to a little over $200 so I'm happy to NOT have to shop for another car just yet. I think I'll stay with this thread for a while still and see how everyone else fares. Good luck!

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

Nov 28, 2011 (7:05 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvcsarah (Nov 14, 2011 10:40 am)
Sarah, thanks for your message. So far so good but I am really bothered that the dealership charged me $120 for a diagnostic test that revealed nothing and THEN tested the replacement battery which they said was bad. I just got laid off so $120 isn't pocket money, plus I don't trust a dealership that won't do anything else before charging you $120 for a diagnostic.

#832 of 1201 Re: Saturn ION ignition problems .... [notcrankyion] by dweezil

Nov 28, 2011 (7:13 am)

Replying to: notcrankyion (Nov 28, 2011 6:58 am)
It's the "Genuine GM Parts" that caused the problem in the first place. These guys will say ANYTHING: "They all do that" "Never heard of that before." "Needs a new BCM". "Needs a new starter". "Battery". And the beat goes on.
 
At this stage in the ION's time on the road it's all going to be passed off as "normal wear and tear" and GM will be even more forthright in ignoring their problem. Again. Still.
 
Mine was replaced at least three times at the dealership and like you I am not holding my breath either. Glad to have it fixed and the place treated me right.
 
It still bugs me: in 40 years of driving the only time I ever had to replace an ignition switch was when I lost the keys to my car.
 
A shame: the ION was a better car than people gave it credit. It's almost like GM went out of their way to prove that Saturns were unsalable.

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

Nov 28, 2011 (8:11 am)

Replying to: jenniemcp (Nov 28, 2011 7:05 am)
Great to hear that things have been going well since the replacement. I'm sorry to hear about your job situation, and understand how diagnostic fees can be steep. If we can be of further service on any vehicle concerns, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with us via email.
 
Regards,
Sarah
GM Customer Service

Messages Page 84 of 121

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