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Agawamguy just checkin in. The last time my car didn't start was December 31, 2008. :mad:
On January 1, 2009 (post #176) I cut the white wire while the car was running and it's started every time since.
Passlock is disabled!
Remember it is a 24 gauge wire, which is very fine, so the electric pulse could be slow in cold/damp weather, which make sense (becomes lazy)
TRY THIS
Put the key in the ignition and turn the key so all the warning lights in the dash come on, when the sensorlock light goes out (orange/yellow), then continue to turn the key and the car has started every time. I live just outsde of Toronto Canada and it gets cold. So far it has worked when the temp was down to -17 Celisus with a wind chill of -30 (that is really cold). Give this a try before cutting of wires. Tommorrow is another test -22 plus wind chill (extremely cold) :confuse:
Ive thought about writing Saturn and the BBB and anyone else who may listen and I most likely will. The one other person who I will write is whichever congressman helps decide whether or not GM gets the bailout money. Why should our taxpayer dollars be spent bailing out a company that sold us subpar cars? After what we on this board have been through who are seriously thinking about buying another Saturn? If they were willing to fix these problems for free it would be one thing but it sounds like they wont.
Anyway thanks for letting me vent my stomach doesnt hurt as bad anymore. Oh and if anyone hears cussing and screaming tommorrow morning about 515am well then you know whats happening.
Deena
I have now cut the white wire while running. The passlock indicator is on but my car always starts now. I live near Montreal Canada it was really cold last week 25C below or about -15F. No problems. (about 3 weeks now)
1. If your car won't start, wait 10 min try again.
Do not call towing, jump start it, or do anything else.
Mine is a standard and I even tried to push start it.
I learned the hard way changed battery, changed starter.
It acted like a dead battery or poor starter connection, or high draw starter.
What I learned was by the time you got a boost or did anything usually 10 min. had passed and the car would have started anyway if you had tried.
2. Disabble the passlock system by cutting the white wire while the car is running.
(see other posts here for details) This took me about 10 min. total and is very easy to do. (I am a aircraft mechanic by trade.)
3. Ignore the light on the dash and enjoy a car that will start every morning in the cold.
meron
Also, when I checked with Saturn concerning the problem, it was stated to me and my mechanic that the problem was unable to be fixed. It was an issue that Saturn already was aware of and was not willing to do a recall since the problem was not a safety issue.
Jennifer Keough
New issue - problems keeping car running after starting, as well as, very slow acceleration. Brought it in and repair place diagnosed Ignition Control Module as needing replacement. When driving away from repair shop, "Check Engine Light" came on so we brought it back. They said all is fixed and runs well, but reason it could be on is Catalytic Converter. I am not a car person so don't know exactly what that means, but am bringing it in to Saturn to diagnose before making further repairs. Car is an '06 with 55,000+ miles which is not a lot.....we'll see what they say. I love this car but will be very disappointed if there are further issues, especially when not covered by warranty, will need to read up on that.
Any advice is appreciated!
I cut the wire in 2007...no issues. It always starts.
meron
Yes, the passlock light comes on when it wont start. We are willing to cut any wires, do anything to get this darn thing to start on a daily basis. What wires?
Did the automatic starters on the car keep working for those of you who had them installed.?
I was wondering if you were still having success starting your car. Contrary to popular demand, I recently changed the ignition switch on my wife's car. It was really easy and she/we haven't had any problems since. The white wire seems to be working just fine now since I changed the ignition switch ($40 for the switch and $20 for the Haynes manual). I wonder if Saturn just makes bad ignition switches. I realize this hasn't been everyone elses experience though.
Warm and Happy Husband aka Cold and Frustrated Husband
I am an older woman with no mechanical skill, but desperate to have a car that starts each day.
Video of me cutting the white wire
Great video! Picture worth a thousand words! This should clear up any questions about the process.
Anyone with cold starting issues should watch this video!
Last year when it first got cold people were writing in about Ions not starting; it's the same this year. You can re-attach the wires when it warms up if you like, as when trading or selling your car. Really the only issue is the yellow 'pass-lock' icon staying lit on the dash.
Thanks oblio9!
meron
Thanks to everyone who's posted to this forum. It's been very helpful.
My husband and I have a 2003 Ion and have been experiencing this cold start problem for three winters now. Initially we had it into the shop over and over again. They replaced the battery and checked out the starter - never finding anything wrong. We've been going to a new mechanic in the last year or two (who's fantastic - will never go back to the Saturn dealer) and he replaced the ignition switch this past October. Nothing helped and the problem was getting worse - happening nearly every day this winter.
After reading this forum, we realized it was definitely a problem with the passlock system. We investigated the bypass module and then read that it wouldn't work without a remote starter installed. We also read about cutting the white wire, but weren't really comfortable doing that.
So, we had a remote starter installed about two weeks ago. I explained the problem to the shop that did the installation and they suggested adding new keyless entry (we already have manufacturer's remotes) which would allow us to completely bypass the manufacturer's security system. The car has started up every time since - and it's been below freezing here in Chicago all but one day in the last two weeks. It was well worth the $325 we paid for it.
I hope this post is helpful to another frustrated Ion owner. I will never buy another Saturn after this. We were about to get rid of the car, which we just paid off. I'm happy to be able to keep it now.
I have not yet, but definitely plan to call Saturn and file a complaint about this. Good luck!
I can't report that the problem is solved since I just cut the wire; I'll report back (surprised) if the problem recurs. Last week, I tried waiting for the passlock light to go out before turning the key all the way to 'on' and also tried leaving the key in the ignition overnight. I experienced a no-start on the first attempt for both methods.
Thanks again.
But, if you tell me it is really working..especially those in the NorthEast, where it has been a cold winter so far, I will cross my fingers and go for it! The non-starting is getting to be too much, especially at 6:30 am each day.
See post # 215 for someone who cut the wire in 2007 and no problem since.
I had problems for a year, cut the wire about a month ago. No problems since. I live in Canada where it is cold. Car works 100% now definatly the fix.
A friend of mine is a mechanic and he found out that Saturn has a bulletin out about this repair. The Bulletin Number is 04-08-45-005D and it's titled Ignition System - No Crank / No Start / DTC's B2960/B3033. it's dated March 15, 2006. Covering Models: 2003-2006 Saturn ION. I called up the dealership that I bought my car from and asked if their was any kind of problem with the ION's? He said no, I then asked to speak to the service manager and he said he was the service Manager. Lots of help they are. Call Saturn and let them know about the Bulletin. Hope this helps.
Mikeey1
I have an automatic start and it doesn't help at all.
Mikeey1
The video showed us exactly what to do, and not hard at all.
After the next cold snap, if the car keeps starting in the mornings, we will nominate you for sainthood!
Only in Cold weather, wait 15 minutes and it will start.
If it is broke it will stay broke. You know what i mean? Not start later eventually. Which means it is an electrical problem. They didn't charge me for the Diagnostic because DUH, I already knew.
2 error messages:
"44 times theft" - which meant if it didn't start, the car thought someone was breaking in.
something else about not reading something but "valid".
Well good luck to all, Amber a Saturn owner.
Let us know.
This is a major issue to me and I'm sure a lot of people would talk to you.
Let me know what to do.
I had an idea that maybe the original ignition switch might have been OK and just needed to go through the computer relearn procedure that I did on the new switch. My problems (intermittant start, wait 10 min., etc.) seem to have started after I replaced the battery (power disconnected). Originally the problem was a low battery and the engine turned over slowly. The battery appeared to be original so I replaced it with 1 from local NAPA auto parts store (around $85). I didn't think to try the relearn procedure until after the new switch was in but might be worth a try for
someone with a similar scenario.
Just wanted to contribute a little to this discussion that has been so helpful to me in trying to remedy this problem!
2———— 0.523 ohm
3———— 0.681
4————-0.887
5————-1.130
6————-1.470
7————-1.870
8————-2.370
9————-3.010
10————3.740
11————4.750
12————6.040
13————7.500
14————9.530
15————11.801 You will have the open the old switch to access the resister for testing. The #s 1 to 15 above are #s from the old Vats system. It may be possible that these #s are on the boxes with new switches from Saturn and ethier Saturn does not know what they mean or don't want to tell. IF YOU BUY A NEW SWITCH , THE OHM RESTANCE MUST MATCH THE OLD, OR IT WILL NOT WORK!