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Saturn VUE No Start

142 messages,  Last post on Mar 03, 2013 at 1:22 PM

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What is this discussion about? Saturn VUE, SUV

    

Messages Page 7 of 15

#60 of 142 this might solve the ECM problem with the Vue by kingcat

Dec 31, 2009 (12:38 pm)

It happened again after one year. My wonderful lemon 2006 Saturn Vue did it again. After using the remote transmitter to open the doors my Vue refused to start.
 
Once again I had to re-set my vehicles computer. I do this by removing the ground cable on the cars battery. After replacing the cable the car always starts and run perfectly.
 
Like any digital system glitches can stop data flowing to make the SUV operate. I might have accidently discovered what is happening.
Note that I am troubleshooting without the aid of a cal lab service scope and a print out of the computer program.
 
I stumbled upon a web site that was for ham radio operators. Someone in California had a shortwave transceiver that did almost the identical thing my Vue does. Here is part of what he wrote.
 
just when the rig is ready to start making sound, the lights flash and it “reboots” itself. This happens over and over several times until it either starts or you shut it down.
 
To best understand the problem in simple terms follow this. My Vue only fails to start after I use the remote transmitter to open the door locks.
 
Only after the computer system is re booted using the negative cable
method will it start. There is some similarity between the ham radio and my SUV ECM module.
 
A9 refers to the radio, it is a printed circuit board.
The A9 Power Distribution board supplies voltage to, among other things, the CPUs in the radio. note this reference is for a radio not my car.
Here is what solved his problem.
 
I’m no expert, but one of the crew on the reflector (a technical news letter for hams) says that this design is very hard on the filter caps, especially C6 and C9, both 470 uf, 16 Volt, 85° C electrolytic. These caps need to have extremely low Equivalent Series Resistance (ESR) as well as excellent ripple specs. You can’t just pick up any old 470 uf cap from the junk box and expect it to perform. It would also seem logical that caps rated at 105° C with a higher voltage rating and with a larger physical size to dissipate more heat would make them last longer.
 
When he looked at the board, C6’s top was bulging, a sure sign it was the culprit. He determined that replacing all three of the 470 uf units, including C7, would make sense.
 
He searched around for premium caps for replacements and finally settled on ones from the Mouser catalog made by Xircon, model 140-ESRL50V470-RC. These units are rated at 50 Volts, 105° C and have excellent ESR and ripple specs. Even though they are physically much larger, the lead spacing is the same as the originals, so they fit perfectly.
 
I do not expect most of you to know what a capacitor like this is.
It is a $1.50 part that allows AC signals to pass through it. It blocks
or stops direct current.
 
In the case of the ham the manufacture of his rig knows they selected the wrong component. Yet, like Saturn they did not have a recall. In the case of the ham radio operator it is only a $2000. investment made in the US.
 
My best guess is a recall to replace components is not practical or safe for a SUV. That means those of us who are victims of what appears as a faulty design must suffer. The cost of solving a problem would be too costly
 
The only way we are going to have our car problem solved is having a
lab investatage if there are components in the Vue's computers that intermittently fail. I doubt if GM would volunteer to solve this unusual problem.
 
I can not positively state this is the correct answer to why my Saturn Vue and yours will not start.
 
Until someone sends their ECM system to a independent lab the mystery remains.

#61 of 142 2003 VUE starting problems by jwold57

Jan 25, 2010 (2:22 pm)

My 2003 has recently developed a problem starting when it's warm. I can start it every morning without a problem, but once I've driven it, parked it, and turned it off it won't restart until the next day. The key turns and there is nothing. I tried replacing the starter, but that's not it. Any ideas?? I either have to leave it running when I go anywhere, or get my son-in-law to push it and pop the clutch.

#62 of 142 2003 saturan vue major problem by markdr99

Feb 13, 2010 (3:40 pm)

i was doing a head job on my car,when i got to the timing belt,i have major problems,its a 3.0 v6,the problem is the aligment with the cams,theres two notches on each sprocket,and im not sure which one aligns with the back cover,and i made a major mistake of not marking the cam sprocket with the number 2 cam,so its possible it can be on upside down,ANY HELP WILL BE GREATLY APPRECIATED

#63 of 142 Re: 2003 saturan vue major problem [markdr99] by frobinson

Mar 13, 2010 (1:37 pm)

Replying to: markdr99 (Feb 13, 2010 3:40 pm)
I have the same problem I marked the front cam sprockets but forgot to mark the back. Did you figure it out?

#64 of 142 Re: 2003 saturan vue major problem [frobinson] by markdr99

Mar 13, 2010 (2:17 pm)

Replying to: frobinson (Mar 13, 2010 1:37 pm)
i know the back your soppost to align them up wih the back of the cover thats mounted to the head,theres four notches on sheild,did your cams have two notches on each sprocket,and if so,did u use the first or second one from left to right,hope this helps,im going to the dealer monday,hope they give me some info

#65 of 142 Re: FIXED THE VUE! THEN THE WIFE TRADED IT IN [jarheadwarren] by lilgirl1

Mar 27, 2010 (5:19 pm)

Replying to: jarheadwarren (Jan 20, 2008 9:55 pm)
Can you tell me what the mechanic did to get your car to start! I have a 2002 saturn vue, and one say I came out of the store, and it wouldnt start. I didnt leave the key in or any lights on, and there was no indication that anything was wrong. We had the starter tested and its not the starter. We checked the neutral safety switch, and its not that either! Any suggestions!?

#66 of 142 Re: FIXED THE VUE! THEN THE WIFE TRADED IT IN [lilgirl1] by trinisaturn

Mar 29, 2010 (12:04 pm)

Replying to: lilgirl1 (Mar 27, 2010 5:19 pm)
Hi,
 
To restart disconnect the battery pole for approximately 5 minutes then reconnect. If it does not work repeat a couple times (5 minute intervals) it would eventually start so no need for towing. Leave a door open or make sure driver window is down as when battery is reconnected the car doors might lock automatically leaving you outside with no way in except with spare keys. Car starts then but the problem would reoccur in the most inopportune time. Most likely the problem is the BCM (Body Control Module) which cost about $300 for part at firm then it needs to be programmed. Since I have changed in my Vue 2003 it has worked like new. All the drama of not starting, no power steering, flashing headlights, security locking, no power, etc.... all gone. Problems with BCM tells car someone is intruding or breaking into car so security systems sets in and car cannot start thats why you probably would see security light permanently on during your problems.
 
Don't waste time speculating anymore. Change BCM and your problems would be over.
 
Regards

#67 of 142 2005 Saturn Vue 4 Cyl. by tffpilot

May 30, 2010 (7:01 am)

Replying to: flirtee30 (Dec 22, 2009 6:52 am)
The other day I was out running around when I went to start the '05 VUE & nothing. was like you pulled the battery & said start it. I mean nothing. The kick is the car was running like a champ (no A/C) but other wise great. I had it towed back home at 0200 that morning the lights, 4 ways etc were on. I went out started it up like nothing wrong. Everything worked. Release the break & it was gone, no power. 5 mints. later inside light came on & fired right up. Did the same thing release break & nothing. waited little over 5mints & inside light came on started right up. I went to bed & the later that morning toke the car for a drive. Everything seems to be great. I dont understand. The only thing I did was swap the relay around from the engine main to the rear wiper. Any one every heard of this?

#68 of 142 '05 Saturn VUE 4 Cyl. NO Power! by tffpilot

May 30, 2010 (7:02 am)

The other day I was out running around when I went to start the '05 VUE & nothing. was like you pulled the battery & said start it. I mean nothing. The kick is the car was running like a champ (no A/C) but other wise great. I had it towed back home at 0200 that morning the lights, 4 ways etc were on. I went out started it up like nothing wrong. Everything worked. Release the break & it was gone, no power. 5 mints. later inside light came on & fired right up. Did the same thing release break & nothing. waited little over 5mints & inside light came on started right up. I went to bed & the later that morning toke the car for a drive. Everything seems to be great. I dont understand. The only thing I did was swap the relay around from the engine main to the rear wiper. Any one every heard of this?

#69 of 142 Re: 2003 Vue [jarheadwarren] by alicekats

Jul 13, 2010 (9:24 pm)

Replying to: jarheadwarren (Aug 01, 2007 7:17 pm)
Thank you so much for posting this info; it proved invaluable! I, like many others, have had ignition problems with my 2003 Vue. My husband first replaced the ignition cylinder, which worked for a few days. Then he had to replace the housing. The key was coded for the new ignition. Imagine our dismay when we found that we couldn't start the stupid thing after all of that! After an hour of searching, your message was the ONLY helpful information I found. I followed your step-by-step instructions, and guess what?! IT WORKED! Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you!

Messages Page 7 of 15

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