Edmunds dealer partner, Bayway Leasing, is now offering transparent lease deals via these forums. Click here to see the latest vehicles!
Popular New Cars
Popular Used Sedans
Popular Used SUVs
Popular Used Pickup Trucks
Popular Used Hatchbacks
Popular Used Minivans
Popular Used Coupes
Popular Used Wagons
Comments
I understand that you're looking for some further do-it-yourself information from the community, and I hope you're able to get this resolved! If you do end up working with a dealership, please be sure to keep in touch with us and let us know if we can look into anything further. We're happy to help in whatever ways we can.
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
The problem is that I did the passlock relearn and my car is still a non-starter. Now the lock indicator light does not blink for 10 minutes etc. As far as I can tell, no juice flows to the coils or starter. I pulled the fuse for the BCM and that shut down my electrical system, so the juice gets at least that far. I think it is possible that the brand new ignition switch is bad. Sadly it is not likely. But since I have a couple that I have pulled apart, cleaned and put back together, I will try that when I get home.
Beyond that I am stumped. I am very cynical about dealership repairs as I believe they just start replacing parts, from the most expensive on down until the car runs. I am anticipating a bill in excess of $1,000 once I bite the bullet and give up. This is money I truly don't have and without a car, my bank heist getaway is going to be somewhat less effective.
Any helpful suggestions are appreciated.
Can you park a car next to it and put jumper cables on the underhood connections to be sure it's not the battery while you go through the relearning process?
2014 Malibu 2LT, 2015 Cruze 2LT,
1. GM has been around since 1908. In all that time they couldn't find a lock cylinder that does not explode inside the housing?
2. Stuck keys and a poorly designed ignition switch have left countless customers stranded, many in frightening conditions.
3. I personally have missed 4 work days, thus far, because of this issue. I have spent over 80 hours in research and repair on this problem and I have a 1,800 lb driveway ornament.
4. Even though GM has known about the problem for many years and knows that it is a design flaw, they expect customers to foot the bill for expensive repairs.
5. GM should acknowledge responsibility for the design flaws, recall and fix the problems
The car won't let me go through the relearn again, as the lock symbol no longer blinks. It remains steady lit for 3 - 4 seconds after a start attempt, if the key is left in the run position. Someone suggested a 30 second relearn in that case, but no go on that either.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I don't wish to mock your situation, but that line did make me giggle. Your only good fortune here is that this discussion is followed by a number of knowledgeable members, so keep reading & responding to their suggestions/questions, and you might be able to get to the bottom of the issue. Imidazol97 is one of those members.
MODERATOR /ADMINISTRATOR
Need help navigating? kirstie_h@edmunds.com - or send a private message by clicking on my name.
Share your vehicle reviews
also the light comes on and goes back off for the security
I'm sorry that your Ion wouldn't start for you over the holiday weekend - I hope that you were still able to enjoy it. I see that you're currently working with a mechanic, but am unsure if this is with one of our GM dealerships. If so, we'd be happy to follow up on this with them! Please let us know.
All the best,
Sarah
GM Customer Service
Total spill of money taking the ION to a GM dealer, they have no clue to what is going on.
Cut the wire, a 'dirty' trick but the vehicle will start at all times. There are too many on this site that have described how to do it and that it works ...
The switch is not the remedy!
The ultimate is of course to sell the failing Saturn, and whatever you do, stay away from GM - they have not helped us Saturn owners with this problem. We have weeded out the Saturn's and replacing with non-gm vehicles ...
Good luck to you.
I am with you in regard to the switch. Redesigned 3 or 4 times? Did they change part number, or how can the most recent design be identified?
I have changed a total of 3 over the years, 2 bought at a GM dealer and 1 at Rockauto. One of the GM dealer sourced switches was 'bad' right out of the box, the other two are still functioning ...
Total ION miles driven well over 1,000,000.
With the exception of the starting problem, the only other problem was keys stuck in ignition on most of ours. Saturn was no help there. Changed 8 or 9 ION's at our expense.
Biggest problem has been lack of support by GM (including Saturn when they were still there) to solve these irritating problems.
Other than that, the Saturn brand was a good brand, from day one to the end. We were indeed sorry to see them go!
Please email your VIN, current mileage, involved dealer, and complete contact information to me. I look forward to your email.
Christina
GM Customer Service
SocialMedia@GM.com
I just bought a 2007 Saturn Ion and I have been having two issues. The alarm goes off every five to twenty minutes without anyone touching the car (and without fail!). I have been locking the car with my key so as to not set the alarm...but does anyone know what might be wrong?
On what seems to be a related note, when I am driving the car continuously tries to lock itself.
Any help would be appreciated!
Thanking you in advance for your help.
If the issue is the solidification of grease, this should loosen up that grease and allow the connection. I would think... anyway.
I had this issue early on with my Saturn and the dealer fixed it. However, about 3 years later the problem emerged again.
Or at least I think its the same thing. When I turn the key, I usually get the engine to turn over, but before it has a chance to start, it shuts off, and then I can't even get a click out of the ignition. It seems very similar to what happened before, but the fact that it tries to turn over confuses me.
Also, oddly enough, it seems if I try to jump the car off, it seems to override the problem and I can get it started. Eventually I changed the battery and the problem went away, but after about 5 months, its back, with a vengeance. I am going to try wd40 tonight, and see if that helps with starting tomorrow. Maybe blasting it with a heat gun for 5 min might help as well?
The passlock light was on on the instrument panel.
I would have to disconnect the battery (positive side) to interrupt power to the passlock system, reconnect the batttery, and it would start normally on my '03 Ion. I've had to do it about 3-4 times over the past 4 years.
Of course when I called the 800 number for Saturn to talk to a Tech, they kept asking me if I would like to schedule an appointment. I tried to tell them, "No, I can't start the car to get it to the appointment."
There is an inherent design flaw in this system that they won't address. They just want to get you into the shop, and randomly swap out components and charge you exorbitant amounts of money and not solve the problem.
Can't wait to dump this thing.
Disconnecting the battery is not something I have thought to try,I know that adding electricity (jumping) sometimes seems to help, so disrupting it should also help.
I'm becoming more and more frustrated by the day with this stupid thing.
Thank you in advance.
Kimberly
Thank you,
Kimberly
Mortonk69@msn.com
Thank you
Thank you!
Kimberly
Also, can you give me instructions about how to do ithe installation properly and all about the relearn process please.
Thank you,
Kimberly
Mortonk69@msn.com
My car, like others, is not starting at random times. Is it an ignition switch or ignition cylinder that needs to be replaced on the saturn ions? Or should I just go and get a remote starter?
Thanks.
Is your shop one of our GM dealerships? If so, we're available to follow up on the appointment with them! Let us know - we can be reached via email at socialmedia@gm.com
Sarah, GM Customer Service
Thanks for your reply.
So, it is fixed, went out today at 40 degrees and started. Please let it last!!!!
Just keep in mind, the temperature has nothing to do with the starting problem .... it happens when the morning temperature is 90 as well!
Let's hope the $30 or less delco part will last you a 'long time', if it fails at least you know how to fix it.