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Saturn Ion Starting Problems

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Comments

  • dozensaturndozensaturn Member Posts: 41
    edited February 2012
    #1 Suggestion ...
    Buy a new (or used) car other than a GM product instead of spending time and money on your Saturn ION.

    It is stunning, but if GM want any loyalty from Saturn owners, and especially the ION's .... then why do they not take care of this problem, once and for all.

    We are going to non-GM brands as the vehicles are sold off or traded ... only a few left of a fleet of more than a dozen Saturn's ... and our fleet is growing!
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    I have just been convinced & ordered a VATS bipass kit form NewRockies, I really hope this works! They have many followers.I Will post how it goes!
  • cameron06rlcameron06rl Member Posts: 2
    Hi,
    I've been reading many pages of everyone's problems with their ignition and I am also facing the same problem. It has done it a few times in the past but I just moved down to Florida and the next day it happened. Except now it won't start at all and just so happen the warranty ran out a couple hundred miles ago...
    I have a 2006 Ion Redline that i bought new and everything is normal when I go to start it (no dash lights eccetra) all the way up until I go to turn it over to start. ACC is fine but as soon as I turn it over, everything goes silent/quiet. No cranking, no ticking, nothing. All I get is an illuminated "check engine light" that stays on as long as I hold the key in the START position.
    Is it my ignition switch or do you know what is causing this problem?? Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I have no other vehicle and being the new guy at a new base with no car is not going so hot. THANK YOU in advance for any advice you can give..
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good morning cameron06rl,

    If we can look to see if there are any open recalls on your vehicle (we can do this with the last 8 digits of your VIN), or assist in working with a dealership, please let us know!

    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    edited March 2012
    Hi Sarah, Thankyou, any help would be greatly appreciated! I will get back to you with the vin# this afternoon & i am going to have it towed & serviced at the G.M dealership closest to home which Is Motor Inn of Webster City Iowa
    Thankyou, Angie Crick
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Great to hear from you, Angie, and we look forward to assisting in whatever way we can!
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    Sarah, The last 8 vin numbers on our saturn is : 3Z142333
    I found a bulletin on it # 04-08-45-005D No Crank or No Start DTC B2960 and/or B3033. It seems to mimic the symptoms occoured after we bought the car. We have changed the starter and igniton switch( not module or relay) already along with doing the passlock relearn & has not yet started.What has me stumped is that it will not shift into neutral. Thankyou, Angie
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good morning Angie,

    I looked and am not seeing any open recalls on your vehicle at this time. I tried to see if I could pull up a file for you in our database so I could get a Service Request set up, but didn't have any luck. We'd be happy to do so if you wanted to email us your name/Edmunds username, phone, and address (if I could also get the current mileage on your vehicle, that would be great).

    Once I get that in, I'll set up this request, call over to the dealership where your vehicle is at to get any updates on progress, and then go from there!

    All the best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    Hi Sarah, do you have an email i could send you my personal information in there? thankyou!
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Sure do - if you click on my username here in Edmunds you should be able to view my email address.

    Best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    Thanks Sarah, I have sent you an email, hope it makes it!
  • caelancaelan Member Posts: 1
    So I bought the 2004 Saturn Ion 3wks ago. I fell in love w/ the car and thought it was amazing. I have had the starting issue w/ it since I stopped the first time out of the dealership. My husband has terminal cancer and I need this car to start. Today it stalled at his doctors office and a friend had to come get us and our 3 1/2yr old. Its the same thing I have read over and over here. I was told by the local GM dealer that its $600-$800 to get it fixed. I am shocked because its a $40 part. I called Best Buy and the installer said he wouldnt put in the remote for me. A couple local mechanics won't even touch the ignition. I need this car to run...my husband is too sick to fix it. What is the best and cheapest option. I just don't have an extra $700 to put into a car I just bought. BTW...dealer actually gave me a new alternator thinking that was the problem...it wasn't. GM should be ashamed of themselves. My husband is dying and thier mistake is costing me so much time, $, stress. Please Help!
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Good morning,
    I didn't see it come through - I apologize about that! Would you be able to resend it?
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    I am so very sorry to hear about your husband's health. Have you already contacted Customer Service? If we can follow up on this with you, please send us an email with more information (please include your name/Edmunds username, phone and address, the last 8 digits of your VIN and current mileage, and the name of your involved dealership).

    All the best,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • cameron06rlcameron06rl Member Posts: 2
    Good morning Sarah!
    I sent you an e-mail yesterday evening and just wanted to follow up with it and see what you were able to find out.

    Thanks,
    Cameron
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    Sarah, the emails keep being rejected to your address.Here is my email address Angela.Crick@mchsi.com. Thankyou, Angie
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Angie,
    I tried to send you an email from a different address, but that was sent back to me. At this point, it may be quicker to have you give customer assistance a call as they will build the same case I would have done over the internet: 800-553-6000 (Hours: Mon to Sat, 8am to 9pm ET; Closed Sunday). I am so sorry for the difficulty in communication we've been having!

    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Cameron,

    I believe I did see your email come through - have you heard back from Christina at this point? She generally answers inbound emails from the forum. If you haven't, I will be sure to follow up on this with her!
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • angelab51806angelab51806 Member Posts: 2
    edited May 2012
    I own a 07 Saturn ion and I'm having the same issues so I took it to have my alarm disabled and another one installed with a remote starter and that didn't help at all.. I got my battery tested and its fine! Called Saturn customer service and they told me the car had NO RECALLS OR SPECIAL POLICIES (WHICH IS LIKE A RECALL) SO NOW I'M SURE THEY ARE LYING BECAUSE THE ION DOES HAVE A SPECIAL POLICY AND I KNOW BECAUSE.... HERS MY STORY...Driving down the freeway at about 67-70 mph start to slow down to EXIT the freeway and I can't steer my car! I'm a 20 year old girl that's 4"11..here's so I call the dealer and get the run around about them fixing my car until I finally got to a nice man who told me i needed to get into the dealer free of charge because the policy.. they give me a new power steering motor and its good now. But that just for a to show that SATURN themselves lie and who knows what's wrong with the car! I only have 60,000 miles on it! In college can't afford to take it to the dealer so I'm screwed! I live in CA THE WEATHER ISN'T FREEZING SO THAT'S NOHE ISSUE.. SO NEXT STEP IS CUTTING THE WHITE WIRE.. REALLY SCARED TO DO BUT REALLY WHAT ELSE CAN GO WRONG.. THE CAR WON'T START ANYWAY! I HOPE SOMEONE WITH THE MONEY SUES THE **** OUT OF GM!!!
  • angelab51806angelab51806 Member Posts: 2
    IF ANYONE HAS A SOLUTION TO MY PROBLEM PLEASE EMAIL angela_arthur18@yahoo.com
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    I understand that you're upset, angelab51806. If we can check again to see if there are recalls on your vehicle, please send us the last 8 digits of your VIN. Any open safety recalls or programs are associated to a vehicle by VIN.

    Regards,
    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • dozensaturndozensaturn Member Posts: 41
    Angela,
    Whatever the 'gm-rep's' say .... It is the SAME problem for all of us with ION's from 2003 to the end of the production. And you are 100% correct, the temperature in the air has nothing to do with this problem. Do they know what is causing the 'no-start, wait 10 minutes, another 10 minutes etc.' ? Well most of us believe so and for gm, that ought to be a simple straight forward message to any and all ION owners as well to gm-dealers - this is the FIX, but no, they must not care about the many Saturn-gm owners that some day need to buy a new vehicle, for whatever reason. After 17 Saturn's, we are down to just a few and the replacements are NOT gm products - it's as simple as that. Oh, by the way one of the vehicles is being repaired at this moment ... 3 gm-dealers consulted after the diagnostics and all 3 are 'clueless', in fact one do not even recognize the vin number to be a Saturn ION but rather an SUV!!! Great Help!
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    Sarah, Ive contacted customer service & they had no real information besides to say there are no open recalls & have no responsibility to customers.Now i had our gm dealership tow car to shop & fixed the ignition switch(2nd new put in) which worked for all of 3 starts total & then left us stranded again... I called them back to pick up the car but do you have any information on what the real solution to Saturn owners no start problem could be? You have followed up with soo many of us, Have you found any information that could actually be beneficial to us? It seems to me that the service mechanics are just fixing many parts, not knowing the solution, which is really adding up to be a financial burden for soo many of us. Thankyou, Angie
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Hello Angie,

    When you contacted Customer Service, did they assign you a case number?

    As for technical information, I wish I could provide more to the forums I'm active on, I truly do. I have very limited resources to work from, and our approach to vehicle concerns is to have an in-person diagnosis performed. I have asked our Technical Assistance Center questions before, but they too refer to an in-person dealership diagnosis.

    Please let me know your case number -- I can pass word on to your agent that you have to go back in after the initial repair.

    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    She never gave me any info on a case number,but she did get u an update from dealership & let me know what he was fixing is all.What im interested in is information regarding what you have learned from the successful results that you have gotten/learned from your cases.Diagnostics identified to results.I dont believe that the rep asked if he did a diagnostics test or just assumed it was the ignition switch.
  • gmcustsvcsarahgmcustsvcsarah Member Posts: 1,964
    Generally, the cases we set up are sent to the District Specialist, and each case is then handled on a case-by-case basis. There are brand quality departments who can analyze cases for patterns, but this is not something I can do.

    I don't want to be too repetitive, but I would definitely say to try to call again and make sure to get a case set up, because you've been in more than once now for the same concern.

    Sarah
    GM Customer Service
  • jessicas1jessicas1 Member Posts: 13
    I just wanted to follow-up with everyone to share my success story. After almost 2 months with a new ignition switch I have not had a single starting problem! It is like night and day. Before getting my ignition switch replaced my car was not starting at least a couple of days a week. Now it starts up every single time. I am no longer late for work or stranded at a restaurant! Woohoo! I encourage you to try this first. It only cost me $115 for the part and the installation!
  • pamela519pamela519 Member Posts: 62
    Jessica - So nice to hear a success story. I have been having issues with my 2005 Saturn Ion for 2.5 years and since May of 2011 it has run for only 1 week. The starting not starting was happening to me for 2 years b/f it finally decided to quit altogether. I had a starter and new battery put in. These blogs kept telling me to get the ignition relay switch, but the mechanics always had different ideas. after the 2 mentioned parts it ran for 1 week. the key is now stuck in the ignition between on and off. I was told the ignition relay switch costs $23. One of my daughter's friends is going to put it a new one in for me. If I get it running I am going to get rid of it as fast as I can. Hopefully, next week I can join you on here as a success story. Saturn was no help at all. It constantly blows me away that there are so many people having the same issue, yet Saturn GM whoever, refuses to do a recall...
  • dweezildweezil Member Posts: 271
    Pamela519: this is getting old. You need to replace your ignition switch. You needed to replace it the first time you posted. You still haven't done it. There are reams of posts saying the same thing, you claim to have read them and still haven't done what was suggested.

    But you've replaced a bunch of other crap that didn't need to be replaced.

    Open the little panel under the steering wheel. There is a release button under the little panel that when you press it will allow the ignition to let go of the key. The procedure is also mentioned in your owner's manual.

    And the "ignition relay" is not the part you need to replace but the ignition switch. Others have written about trying to replace the relay. What they're all talking about is the switch where you stick the key in. That's where you start. As has been said before. Repeatedly. Again. Still.

    On mine the ignition switch was the problem, repeatedly. Temperature has nothing to do with it. Mine was purchased and run in L.A. as well.

    The problem is your refusal to take it to the dealer [or authorized service provider ] to find out what is wrong with your car. Yet you have needlessly spent money on parts and labor that weren't part of the problem. That cost far more than the diagnostic would have and that will generally be waived if the repair is made.

    You're not listening to anything anyone has posted on this thread, why are you still griping ? You had the answer before you went and had a new battery and starter put in. But you didn't pay that diagnostic fee did you ? Where did that get you ? And you gained what, again ?

    But for your refusal to take proper action you would have been on the road by now or have had the car running so you could trade it off.

    If you're not going to take any action other than posting on a forum to complain, then enough already. You're wasting the time of the people who actually want an answer to their problem and those that have repeatedly told you what needs to be done to fix it.
  • jessicas1jessicas1 Member Posts: 13
    Hello Pamela,

    Make sure to replace the ignition switch. NOT the ignition relay switch. There is a difference. Also, I recommend that you pay the $90 to have a professional install it because I have read other posts on here about people who have tried to do this themselves and have not been able to re-program the security system. So I definitely recommend that you purchas the ignition switch and then pay someone to install it. Good luck!
  • ajcrickajcrick Member Posts: 10
    Jessica & Pamela, I have also had all of those same issues & i took it to the dealership & they replaced the ignition switch, a day after that had to pick the car up again to replace the battery-apparantly it was the original and had just enough left in it to turn the lights on (even jumped) but no start. That was the trick! works great so far! Its been a week! So i'm thinking success.I am sure the same will work for you!
  • jimmysweatersjimmysweaters Member Posts: 1
    this only happens in the morning, the car wont start as if the battery is dead. wait 10 minutes and it will start. my mechanic said he has had a lot of customers with trhis problem and has no idea on how to fix it. i have read about replacing the ignition switch . any other ideas before going down this road. the dealer wants 100.00 per hour to trouble shoot.
  • saturntech9saturntech9 Member Posts: 152
    The nunber one fix for that is replacing the ignition switch i have replaced a ton of them for no starts.There is even a bulletin to replace the switch.Its a easy diyer repair thr switches are only about 30.Does the security light come on solid ir flash when it doesnt start?If so most likely a bad switch.You can also have the body control module scanned for codes if you have a B2960 and or B3033 code you would replace the switch as oer bulletin the bulletin also says with a bad switch its more likely to not start with outside temp 40 degrees or less.
  • traciejotraciejo Member Posts: 6
    edited April 2012
    I CUT THE WHITE WIRE AND HAVE HAD ZERO PROBLEMS SINCE. JUST TYPE CUT THE WHITE WIRE IN THE SEARCH THIS DISCUSSION BAR AND YOU WILL SEE WHAT I AM TALKING ABOUT. THERE IS EVEN A U-TUBE VIDEO THAT WILL SHOW YOU HOW. GOOD LUCK
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5AGhFWcBw
  • pamela519pamela519 Member Posts: 62
    I was going to say the same thing. I actually saved the u tube videos. jimmy if you give me your email address I will forward all of them to you. I also heard from the people who say it is not the ignition relay switch that it is a sensor. @ Jimmy, do something sooner rather than later. I had the same issue. except after awhile 10 minutes turned to 20 to 40 all the way to 60. I would have to go out 60 minutes b/f it was time to leave for work and if it started I would leave it running. I finally sold it. It hadn't run since May of 2011 except for 1 week. sometime in may it didn't start and after 2 hours i had it towed. a new starter, a new battery. then I was told the switch...... i got next to nothing for it, but not to see it in my driveway anymore....so worth it! Good luck and let me know if you want me to forward
  • brava58brava58 Member Posts: 27
    NOT EVERYONE CAN CUT THE WHITE WIRE!!!!!! I can't because it will not pass Va. inspection,. Geez.... this is NOT the answer for everyone.
  • notlkhnotlkh Member Posts: 6
    > I also heard from the people who say it is not the ignition relay switch that it is a sensor.

    If you've read the posts here, it has been posted that it is NOT the ignition relay switch that is being referred to, but the ignition switch. Read from http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/direct/view/.f1137a7/943
  • dboy09dboy09 Member Posts: 1
    My 2003 Saturn Ion periodically wont start. Mostly in the am. It groans a half of a turn like its gonna start but doesnt. The 2nd - 5th try it does nothing. After that it will almost start then sometimes backfires. After bout 20 min of not trying it will start. I have taken it to dealer & 4 other mechanics only to b told it throwing no codes & they cant find problem. I have replaced the following: battery, ignition switch, starter, catalytic converter, and some sort of sensor. Heeelp!
  • oblio9oblio9 Member Posts: 19
    Granted, I have a vested interest but ... cut the white wire.
  • camron91camron91 Member Posts: 1
    My issue seems to be similar and different, or maybe I am just dumb lol. When I turn the Key in my 04 Ion 3 to start it, I hear clicking (I assume from the starter). It wont turn over at all, but I have plenty of power for everything. If someone gives me a jump however it starts right up.

    Also, today I attempted to start the car and just clicking...about an hour later I tried again and fired up as if there was no issue. Any ideas? Please help as I am Stationed in Germany now and soon to be back stateside. I really need to be able to rely on my vehicle when I get home.
  • saturntech9saturntech9 Member Posts: 152
    When it wont start is your security light on solid or flashing?If it is its most likely a bad ignition switch.A really common problem on those cars i have replaced a ton of those switches.They have redesigned them atleast 3 or four times that is the number one fix for random no starts.If the security light doesnt come on i would have the battery and alternator tested.Also make sure the battery cables are clean and tight.
  • dozensaturndozensaturn Member Posts: 41
    Make it simple, and inexpensive on yourself - stay away from changing battery, starter, cables etc that most mechanics recommend, including the $20 switch that you will pay $50 at the dealer and then $250 labor .... How?
    Search for 'cut the white wire/cable' --- cut it (or have a mechanic do it for you) and your car will start in any climate condition thereafter ... You will find plenty of postings on this site and several other on other 'boards'.
    Good luck - it works ....
  • plutoisaplanetplutoisaplanet Member Posts: 1
    I know the answer to your problem, I have this very same thing happen to me every time.

    Before removing the key to your car to leave the car, you need to ensure that you tap the button on the clutch, so that it lets the key turn all the way back. You cannot force it back it remove it at ACC, but keep tapping the button at the clutch once it's parked until it lets your key go to off.

    This has worked for me, and I've never had problems starting it up again every time I do this. Note that as I said, this has to be done before you leave your car every time.
  • notcrankyionnotcrankyion Member Posts: 9
    "Tap the button on the clutch" ?!?!? What button? A button on the clutch pedal? I'd love to have this option to try if I could figure out what you mean.

    If you look back at my previous posts, I replaced the ignition switch, ignition cylinder, and ignition switch again. However, since my last trip to the "GM Certified" dealer I haven't had any starting issues. But I don't kid myself into thinking that the problem is gone forever.
  • saturntech9saturntech9 Member Posts: 152
    So do you have a automatic transmission and sometimes you cant turn the ignition key off?It stops at the acc position?If so what they were saying was to tap the shifter release button.But if thats the case you need a new micro switch/shift interlock solenoid.I have the part number and where to buy it.Its a really common problem i have replaced tons of them for that issue.
  • saturnstucksaturnstuck Member Posts: 7
    I have a 2007 Saturn Ion. My key was stuck in the ignition and I was using the car for a long time by simply unplugging the green connector from the back of the ignition switch to turn off the car and plugging it back in to start the car. After about a year of this the wires to the green connector broke. I tried to repair this yet again which involved pulling the ignition switch. This seemed to implicate the passlock feature and I could not do the passlock relearn, because I could not turn the key. That is the background.

    I installed a new lock cylinder, new wire harness with green connector, and new ignition switch. I followed the passlock relearn and everything responded correctly. That is to say that the "lock" symbol flashed for 10 minutes and went out, etc. At the end, however, I had the same result. I turn the key and nothing. I tried several more times, same result.

    I disconnected and reconnected the positive battery terminal. Removed and reinserted the ignition switch. My hope was to get back to where the lock symbol would flash for 10 minutes to try the relearn again. No luck.

    Any ideas? Until the wires to the connector broke the car ran fine and started every time. The passlock relearn seemed to go correctly, but when I try to start the car nothing happens. Any helpful suggestions.
  • saturnstucksaturnstuck Member Posts: 7
    As an addendum:

    The car is an automatic. It will not move out of park. The battery was charged overnight, just to be sure.
  • saturntech9saturntech9 Member Posts: 152
    To relearn the pass lock after the light goes off you turn the igniton off for 30 seconds then try to start it leave the key in the start position till the light changes state again.Then turn it off for 30 seconds then try to start it leave it in the start position till the security light turns off then turn the key to off position for 30 seconds.Now it should start let me know how it works.
  • saturnstucksaturnstuck Member Posts: 7
    Thank you for the response. Unfortunately, that did not work. To be clear, in the "start position" there are no lights at all. I turned the key to start and held it for 3 seconds. Then I released the key to the run position. I about 4 seconds the lock symbol light went out. Then I turned it to off and waited 30 seconds and repeated that many, many times. Still no luck.

    Did I do it right? Thanks again for your help.
  • saturnstucksaturnstuck Member Posts: 7
    Still stuck. If you see my previous posts I have replaced all the parts that should be causing the problems, did the passlock relearn and still no luck. I pulled all the fuses that could be implicated, they seem fine. Battery is charged and confirmed with a volt meter.

    In the on position, all systems work, which suggests that the ignition switch is installed correctly, but no other sign of ignition. Could I have gotten a bad switch? Any other suggestions?

    The last resort is a tow to the dealer. Maybe I am cynical, but they usually start by replacing the most expensive parts first. I think they will start with replacement of the BCM and work backwards from there. So I start at about $800 and go up from there.

    I don't have $800+. Can anyone make a suggestion.

    Thanks.
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