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Saturn Aura Electrical / Computer Problems?

107 messages,  Last post on May 11, 2013 at 8:08 AM

You are in the Saturn Aura Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saturn Aura, Auto Repair, Electrical, Sedan

Messages Page 11 of 11

#98 of 107 Re: 2007 Aura Battery goes dead [gmcustsvc] by mellowpro

Mar 12, 2013 (6:59 am)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Mar 12, 2013 6:41 am)
I've been closely monitoring the battery and it seems that short trips are the cause of the problem. Starting the car, playing the CD player and using seat heater apparently all put significant drain on the battery and a short trip doesn't give the battery time to recharge. Can you tell me if the changes in the voltage are normal? In a old fashioned alternator/battery arrangement, the regulator voltage is almost always about 14.4 volts unless there is a problem. On the Saturn it appears that, as the battery charges, the ECM reduces the regulator voltage. My 'fix', for the time being, is to monitor it and every few days to put the charger on it overnight. Not optimal, but cheaper than buying a new car or embarking on a costly wholesale parts replacement that may or may not fix it.
 
Mellowpro

#99 of 107 Re: 2007 Aura Battery goes dead [mellowpro] by gmcustsvc

Mar 12, 2013 (9:06 am)

Replying to: mellowpro (Mar 12, 2013 6:59 am)
Hey mellowpro,
If I could have you forward this question and the last 8 digits of your VIN to us via email at socialmediagm.com we would be happy to confer with a technical department here to see if we can get any insights for you.
Regards,
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#100 of 107 2007 aura xr, electrical issues by mrkbker1

Mar 12, 2013 (3:18 pm)

I went with a friend to check this car out about 2 months ago, and in spite of the high miles. (160,000) it was well taken care of, had a car fax that showed the owner had the car serviced on a regular basis at a Saturn/Chevy dealer in Doylestown, and it ran well, no leaks, shifted well...I did put a scanner on it and saw no problems at all. I told the potential buyer that it was in good mechanical shape, seemed to be previously owned by someone who took great care of it, I saw no obvious problems.
Now a month plus later, and about 1200 miles, it has weird electrical issues. He called me to say it was 'stuck in first' gear and the traction control, ESC warning, low tire pressure, security light, ABS light and check engine light were all on. I told him to pull over, shut it off, restart it. He did, and it all went away except for the CEL. He brought the car to me, and I hooked up a scanner and got a U2100, U2107, U0073 and P0700. The first three all refer to some communication issues with the ECM, and/or BCM, and the P0700 is a trans code that set the check engine light. I cleared it, and went about checking the battery and alternator. It had what appeared to be a replacement Delco 650CCA battery that, after slow charging, and testing with a digital tester, would only get to around 580CCA. I talked him into letting me install an Advance Auto Gold 700CCA battery, which test out at over 900CCA now. The alternator is around 14 volts at idle, and I cleaned all electrical connections. It ran great, no issues at all. He took the car back, I did not hear from him the first day but the second day he called and said traction, ESC. Security, Tire monitor were all on. I got it back, cleared everything again, drove it to another mechanic I know who is really good with this type of issue-when he saw the U0073, he said he went through this with another Saturn and ended up taking it to a dealer, and felt his $3000 plus SnapOn scanner would not diagnose it like a Tech 2 would (GM specific dealer scanner). I took it to the dealer, they said they'd check it and call me that afternoon. I got a call later, the service manager told me the tech pulled the same codes, cleared it, and drove it 'in the parking lot and on the road' (total 4 miles) and it did not occur. I said I could come over and drive it,it was doing it for me almost immediately for the last half-dozen times I drove it. He said 'it's Friday, we're only here till 5 (it was 4, I'm 5 minutes away)-so I said, fine, tell me when you need me there Monday. He said tech would not be there Monday, come Tuesday around 12:15. I came today, got the car AFTER BEING CHARGED $171 for Friday for the Tech to CLEAR CODES after he wrote them down and DRIVE THE CAR 4 miles with NO ISSUES EXHIBITED.
I drove the car out after they got PAID, and drove it three miles, no problems. I hooked up my Actron scanner after pulling over, shutting down, starting up, input information and drove-within a mile, all the warnings came up, including the CEL and first gear only. Drove it back to the dealer, the Service manager felt that, since I hooked up MY scanner, the issue was not necessarily the car but could be MY SCANNER...so I asked him to have the tech clear it again, and I drove it again, this time about 8 miles with no issues. I went back and told the Service Manager that I wasn't too old to learn something, and said I would drove it more, without hooking up anything...I drove it another 4 miles, and BINGO-all the same warnings, sans the taint of my scanner. So I took it back to the dealer, where it sits now.
If it took a Tech one and a half hours to record, clear and test drive a car (4 miles) to the tune of $171, and then the Service Manager is going to infer that my scanner was the issue, I have to have some concern for the costs this might incur for my friend. I note that I have spent a lot of time on the internet and I see lots of TSB's and accounts from owners about these same types of problems. I asked about having them check for things like connectors at the BCM, ECM, the VCIM (especially symptomatic)...and I didn't seem to get much reaction from the SM on these suggestions. My friend is not real happy and I can't blame him-if you wonder why dealers have such a bad reputation, I submit this is an example of why. I do not take any of my cars to dealers for any work but I would if I felt they weren't guessing (like I might) if they could not figure out a problem. Difference is, it wouldn't cost anything if I were guessing...and, to be clear, I do have some cars that are somewhat 'complicated', like a 2002 Aurora, and a 96 Mark VIII, and my experience tells me that I can, eventually, find the reason for any issue. I do not have that luxury when it comes to this car since it seems even very good independent mechanics will stay away from dealing with these cars. I was told (make that convinced) that a GM Tech with a Tech 2 was the best way to solve this-so far, no really though. No real effort to initially diagnose it (but a bill for $171), then blame a scanner that is not theirs-really???
Please get back to me on this, as I am curious as to what to do next. So is my friend.

#101 of 107 Re: 2007 aura xr, electrical issues [mrkbker1] by gmcustsvc

Mar 13, 2013 (6:19 am)

Replying to: mrkbker1 (Mar 12, 2013 3:18 pm)
mrkbker1,
If you friend wanted to contact the GM Customer Assistance Center about this visit to the dealership, they can be reached at 800-553-6000 (Hours: Mon to Sat, 8am to 9pm ET; Closed Sunday).
Hopefully we're able to get this resolved soon!
Sarah, GM Customer Service

#102 of 107 Re: 2007 Aura Battery goes dead [gmcustsvc] by mellowpro

Mar 13, 2013 (1:26 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Mar 12, 2013 9:06 am)
Took the car to my mechanic and he tested it and said, "Bad alternator. $550 please." Since the brand is no longer made and marketed, everything is very expensive because there are no aftermarket suppliers rebuilding the components for resale. Seems that only dealers have replacement parts. Word to the wise, don't ever buy a car from an abandoned product line unless you're willing to pay for the priovilege. No more GM cars for me.

#103 of 107 Re: 2007 Aura Battery goes dead [mellowpro] by onefunkar

Mar 14, 2013 (2:01 pm)

Replying to: mellowpro (Mar 13, 2013 1:26 pm)
no different alternator than other gm cars. just an excuse to raise the price.

#104 of 107 Re: 2007 aura xr, electrical issues [gmcustsvc] by mrkbker1

Mar 26, 2013 (6:38 pm)

Replying to: gmcustsvc (Mar 13, 2013 6:19 am)
I just got the car back, my friend (the owner) has driven it about 225 miles since I got it back from this 'dealer'...and the electrical issues are happening again U0073, U2100, U2107, P0700). The dealer had kept it for a week, drove it (only) thirty miles total, and could not get it to do this again. They said that in spite of seeing the issues, they did not know what was causing the problem. He said any module between the BCM and the ECM could be causing the issue.
This 'service manager' then proceeded to say that he thought the module that controls the transmission was bad. He said that it was located internally, and was very expensive (actually the MOST expensive) to replace since it would require dismantling the trans.. He further stated that this was a problem, since dismantling the trans would necessitate refilling the trans with new fluid, and that would 'damage' the trans since it was not a good idea to put fresh fluid in a trans with this high mileage...I could not respond initially, since i could not believe that was his 'solution'. I told him that the carfax records showed that the previous owner had done all the necessary mileage checkups and recommended services at the dealer in Doylestown since new including tranny services. He stated that the trans 'didn't shift well' now, and that was what he felt was the root problem.
This trans shifts almost seamlessly, it barely can be felt going from gear to gear. The time from shift to shift is smooth and very quick, with no jolts or noises...i can't imagine a better shifting trans, EXCEPT when the ELECTRICAL ISSUES become apparent.
I will contact customer service tomorrow and refer them to this essay. I personally think that a dealer that charges for what they have NOT done is a joke, and think the best course should be for them to ADMIT they have no idea what the issue is-and refund what my friend spent to find out they have no clue. I will take it from there. I have been working on vehicles for over 40 years, and I don't care what the problem is, for this person to first blame a scanner, then say they did not know, THEN say that they'd replace the most expensive module and postulate that it would fail anyway...this person should NOT be advising anyone on vehicle repair.

#105 of 107 Re: 2007 aura xr, electrical issues [mrkbker1] by mrkbker1

Apr 15, 2013 (11:47 am)

Replying to: mrkbker1 (Mar 26, 2013 6:38 pm)
*cricket sound*...
 
still going through this, dealer has no clue and has done nothing to even attempt a solution.
 
I have determined that the u2100 code is always first to set, and it then sets ABS codes before any other. Anyone have any idea where the ABS module is located on this thing???

#106 of 107 ABS and Trac Control Lights - Dangerous by motorvator

May 07, 2013 (3:33 am)

After reading this forum, I now know I have an oft-repeated story that is not at all uncommon. Our 2009 Saturn Aura XR has had intermittent (never repeatable at dealership) ABS and Traction Control lights, usually after the car stutters. I have not been able to determine whether it is the engine or sudden application of the ABS, but since the ABS/TC lights up, I've assumed it is an ABS related problem. We've taken it to the dealer who can find no codes, all is fine by their definition and they can not repeat the problem. She now tells me (I am overseas) the car had a violent stutter as she turned left in an intersection and the car basically "walked" further to the left. I believe it was the brakes aggressively modulating and affecting the steering. Needless to say, the ABS and TC lights lit up. While asking her questions about how it all happened, she mentioned that while she was decelerating at about 30MPH with her foot off the accelerator, the car started stuttering and then the engine accelerated towards 40MPH.....all with her foot off the accelerator. Again, more lights lit up, not sure which ones, nor is she. She was a bit busy trying not to hit the car in front of her than to pay attention to dashboard lights. I've told her to take it to the dealership, but I am not at all confident they will have a handle on this problem, as there appears to be no solution, at least none posted here besides the potential fix of greasing a cable connection under the passenger side dash.

#107 of 107 07 Aura XR computer issues by dmm1277ny

May 11, 2013 (8:08 am)

I have had many of the same symptoms with my Aura. I brought it used 2 yrs ago with 10,200 miles on it. It now has 45,400. Around 40,000 miles I had problems with the key fobs not working. I changed the battery in both but still had intermittent problems. Then the car would randomly not crank or start after short trips. If I waited 10 minutes and disconnected the battery it would start once I reconnected everything. Did it 4 times in 2 weeks. Then while driving on the hwy the traction control shut off followed by a Service ESC warning. A few minutes later all the gauges malfunctioned and all warning lights/messages came on. I was forced to pull over because the car began to sputter. I shut it off and waited 15 minutes then restarted it. It ran fine. I managed to get it to the dealer where it was diagnosed with a "no communication" problem btwn the battery and the computer. All this occurred in a 3 week span. They replaced the original battery and the car ran fine for just over 3 months. Then it happened again with 45,424 miles on it. While driving I experienced the same issues with the traction control/gauges/warning lights. I was able to drive to a nearby dealer (with the car running rough the entire way). They can find nothing wrong with it and they cannot get it to replicate the problem. They car is still there as they try to find the problem. I am frustrated because I drive 85 miles round trip to work 5 days a week and cannot rely on this car to get me there (or anywhere else) without issue.

Messages Page 11 of 11

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