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1) disassemble steering column 7 mm socket I think
2) find the wire in question...Solid white not the one with a stripe on it.
3) remove the fuse cover to the right of the gas pedal.
4) find the air bag fuse and pull it
5) Start your car
6) cut the white wire
7) turn it off
8) put the fuse back in and cover
9) reassembl the column cover
10) start your car. The pass lock light will stay on all the time and your display will tell you to service your car every time you start it. Just push the trip milage button and it goes away. It will do it every time you start your car...Small price to pay for a car that will start every time...
Does anyone have a clue as to what has happened?
Ignition switch replaced, problem fixed.
However, now it's developed a disturbing new habit ... it's growing increasingly reluctant to start when "cold" (in quotation marks because I'm in Houston, and the mornings here are about 85). It starts just fine after it's been warmed up - if I run into the pharmacy for a few minutes, it starts great when I come out.
Appointment made with dealership next week, since it's still under warranty, but any interim tips would be most appreciated.
Does anyone know what else it could be and if I can fix it myself? I am desperate since this is our only car. Thanks!
I seem to have the same symptoms as everyone else, except I don't have to wait 10 minutes for passlock reset. I used to be able to try again 30-60 seconds after the failure, and get another failure, and repeat several times until it eventually it starts... that "repeat several times" took me 45 minutes yesterday (it was -20 celsius). If I were to try again without waiting at all after the failure, then I just get the hum/click noise, but no real attempt to start.
So will the white wire fix work for me even though I don't need the 10 minute wait for reset?
Otherwise I'm pretty sure the problem is the passlock based on what everybody has said here...so thanks to everyone for helping people like me figure out what's going on and prove I'm not crazy!!
I have not cut the wire yet. Since I have stopped using the security all together it starts immediately. I took my remote off my keys so I do not use it @ all. I lock the car before I close the door like you had to back in the day and unlock the car w/my key. You may want to see if this works for you if you're unsure about cutting the white wire.
It's not the heater that helps, it's the waiting ten minutes. Someone posted a guide on the previous page which explains the problem http://moontaj.com/passlock, yes it even covers the "white wire fix".
Or is this all that has to be done, just cut the wire, tape it up and be done with it?
Then his key was left on and killed the battery.
We jumped (charged) the battery but now it is completely locked up. Won't start, can't even shift out of park.
I found an ex-saturn tech who came over and reconnected the white wire and replaced the ignition switch. Then he did the reprogram process. It seemed like at least the key is recognized as the yellow lock doesn't show up but still nothing.
He said maybe we now need to replace the BCM. I just can't see how a battery going dead can damage a BCM.
Do you think maybe a BCM reprogram? Is the BCM program different then the relearn process or is that the same thing?
RB52
My battery went dead, i tried boosting it off. it would not even turn over. i put a new battery in. still nothing. i changed ignition. still nothing. i checked the starter, the clutch switch, and all the fuses that i thought had to do with the starting and running of my vehicle. so to make a long story short, at last resort i began checking all fuses under the hood one by one. I found a 10 amp fuse that was blown. the fuse i found was not even labled on my fuse panel cover. but figuring it wouldnt work, i tried any way. AND IT STARTED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! SO PLEASE CHECK ALL YOUR FUSES!!!!!!!!!
I think by boosting the car off I may have blew the fuse not sure tho, because the car wouldnt turn over any way.. so please check fuses. My dash was also reading something when i would turn the key. I cant remrmber if it was pass lock but it was something to that affect. hope i have helped someone.
Wes......
Hope this helps someone.
Last night, we experienced torential rainfall, and the security system set off for no reason. It was silenced by the remote, but the cabin lights would not go off. I got into the car and drove it around the block. When I put it into first gear, the cabin lights shut off. I returned home and turned off the car and again the cabin lights would not shut off. The cabin lights remained "on" for several hours, and we noticed they were off. I assumed that the battery died again. But, the car started this morning. It was 40 degrees this morning. However, my daughter said the interior of the right side of the car was soaking wet: the carpet and the seat were drenched. The windows were closed tight and so was the door. Obviously, there is a seal problem somewhere, but the rainwater has short circuited somewhere. I do not even know where to begin to have it assessed and resolved. This is so bizzarre. I am extremely frustrated that a car that I just finished paying for is now giving me all this grief. I have started to read a lot of blogs and am stunned to find that many people are having electrical problems. I don't know what the solution is. I am so upset, I want to get rid of the car, but how?
I just wanted to let you all know that I've had the white wire cut and it's done wonders for my starting problems. I have a 2004 Ion and read in this forum (and followed this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ww5AGhFWcBw) on how to cut the wire. Unfortunately, it does leave a "check engine" light on. I'm installing the toggle switch tomorrow and will try to get a video of it. Cutting the wire works and is pretty easy to do.
@clsragonsrule:
my saturn is having seal problems as well. The seal is visibly coming off from the door behind the drivers seat. Honestly, I solve it by using some duct tape. It looks tacky, but it works.
First of all you have no doubt been advised to change batteries when that was NOT the problem.
All of my Saturn's are in Florida ... yet have the starting problem.
Second: The starting problem is not just when it is COLD. Now down to 7 ION's (after total of 17 Saturn's ... 9 of them ION's). Changed several ignition switches - and it has cleared the problem except on one '04 earlier this week. Installed a new GM (OEM) switch - and everything was 'dead' so the 'old' switch was reinstalled - and so far the car has started on first try. Typically one have to wait for 5 to 10 minutes after the first 'dead' click, and maybe even a third try until it starts. Then it will re-start most of the time throughout the day. The switch is available at the GM dealer for $40 plus but the identical part can be sourced for less than $20!
This is frustrating to say the least.
One of our ION's experienced the same problem with water on the floor board, passenger side - now on the fifth (5th) motor ... first on warranty and dealer had no answer/excuse etc. My mechanic have now solved the problem, including a much quicker repair technique, reducing labor to a minimum. This vehicle has been dry now for one year! Wow. Our neighbor had an ION, leased and had the very same problem! It is more common than what has been admitted by dealer.
The ION's have been good, but we are 'moving' them out and replacing with non-GM products.
I will lock back at this forum in a week or so, and update about the start problem - but also what you should do with the motor/leakage - eventually you will burn the motor.
Happy driving.