Comments: 1-15, 16-30, 31-45, 46-60, 61-75, 76-90, 91-105, 106-111
I too have same starter problem with Saturn ION 2004. Has Saturn issued a recall for the 2004 models?
I bought a brand new 2007 ION in Oct of 2007. Today I experienced the same problem I had on a Friday back in March of this year. I try to turn the car off and the key would not come out of the ignition. I tried everything, even calling On Star and their advice was to let the car run until it was out of gas. I was not going to do this since I just filled up so I drove directly to the dealer. He said he had heard of this problem before, but not to worry, he would give me another car to get me on my way and I could come back Monday to get my car after they fixed it. Now it is a Sunday and I cannot do anything about it until tomorrow. What I did was take out the fuse for the ignition and battery. I am taking it in tomorrow first thing when they open and will post what they tell me. If I would have known this a year ago when I was car shopping, I would not have bought this lemon. I have not yet experienced the cold weather not starting problem. Mine stars just won't turn off..
Bought an '05 manual trans ION2 option loaded like a 3 in mid December of '07 with 18k on the odometer. Had ignition problems at 5am, temp hovering around 5 degrees in January, after a 12 hour shift. Car finally started after a half hour wait. (Happened twice!) I ended up heating ignition switch with a butane log/candle lighter and rotating key in hopes of redistributing grease. I did not have another problem the rest of winter despite many other similar cold nights, this winter... The local Saturn parts counter guy told me he stocks up on replacement switches for winter, he even spouted off the part number from memory in the middle of summer!!
Other problems: replaced battery at 25k, intermittent rattle in drivers door, front end rattle over bumps (anybody know of common causes?). the stained seat.
Car has 44k on it now.
The Good:
Car has averaged around 31 mpg for the miles I have put on it (Excel spreadsheet).
Decent acceleration, handling.
I have a 2004 Saturn Ion with 89K miles. I love my car except when it won't start. I just received a call from the local mechanic. He told me the problem was the Security Passlock Sensor. After reading everyone's comments, I am wondering if it isn't the ignition switch. I have an appointment to take the car to the dealership this weekend since the local guy quoted me a price twice as high as the dealership. I hate it when mechanics think that women are stupid. I also have the problem of the seat staining. I love the gas mileage too.
I did my research too late. I just won a ebay bid for a 2004 SATURN ION 4Cyl 77K VIN: 1G8AJ52F44Z181292. I bought the car for my son to commute to college, I thought I made a good deal but after reading the review I am scared to pick it up. Thanks to this website I know I have to immediately install a remote starter, buy seat covers and be ready to replace the battery and oil regularly. Thanks again!
2004 Saturn Ion - won't start when cold.
I posted earlier in the year about this problem. Every 2 years I have replaced an ignition module that is under the steering column near the light switch. The module costs 30 dollars and can be replaced in your driveway with a screw driver and a torx tip.
Remove the plastic steering cover and you will see the switch on the bottom side with a small electrical connector with 5 wires on it. Look at the new switch to make it easier to find. There is a simple relearning process that must be followed after install that I found posted on here somewhere. Turn the key to start then back to accessory every 10 minutes for 3 times, then off for 5 seconds, then start it up. If you interrupt the sequence you must start all over again. Took me less than an hour to change and reprogram. A garage shouldn't charge more than 200 dollars for the repair.
I opened up the old switch; it is so low tech - hardwired resistor and a metal slider switch. I don't see why this causes the cold no start problem but it does. Must be the resistor drifts out of tolerance over time.
We have a 2004 Saturn ION. Whenever it's cold overnight we are not sure if it will start in the morning. This morning it was 18 degrres out. Went to the car, would not start. 20 minutes later it starts like it's 70 degrees out. The dealer says he's never heard of the problem (right). This problem is making my wife crazy, We will probably replace this car with a Focus in the near future.
Bob.
I have a 2004 Saturn Ion and I have had the ignition switch replaced twice, and it still does not start when it is cold sometimes it takes up to an hour before it will start. I took it to the shop and they had me replace the battery, and it still does it!!! I am so mad about this!!! it has made me late for work several times, and I have been stranded alone in scary places at night before too.
I bought my 2004 Saturn Ion in Feb. of 2005. It was brand new and I was in love with it. I was only 18 at the time.
A few weeks later I was driving down the interstate and my ABS light came on. I was totally freaked out! Took it back to Saturn and they told me a sensor went out. They also replaced what I think was a recalled Fuel Injector.
Things were OK for a while. But then the fun/bad luck began.
On July 4th I hit a deer knocking off my Drivers side mirror. I called Saturn to get a new one and they told me I could come pick it up (the dealership is about 130 miles from my home round-trip) I get the mirror and drive home... IT'S FOR A SEDAN! So I call them and explain what has happened they tell me "oh sorry we will have to order you a different one". A little aggravated I drive back down to Saturn to get my replacement (now I guess this next part could partially be my fault for not checking the box first) but I get home... It's a PASSENGER SIDE MIRROR! I was BEYOND angry at this point. Eventually I got my new mirror.
A few short weeks later I was BACK at Saturn for the bushing/bearings/sway bar issue. Then one evening while driving home from work a side of my door FLEW off and hit the guy behind me. I was shocked! I called Saturn to get the part and went to pick it up. I confirmed it was for the DRIVERS side before I left and the lady at the parts Department assured me it was... I get home... IT'S FOR THE PASSENGER SIDE AS WELL! At this point I was no longer a nice person. Those were just SOME of my problems with the dealership.
The actual problems I had with the car are as follows: AC/Heater unit broke, Trunk Sensor, AUX adapter, transmission, and a busted rim (not really there fault but just a pain in the rear), window motor, traction control, and NOW my car won't start. This car has been nothing but trouble for me. As a gift my Grandfather paid it off for me not too long ago and it breaks my heart to know his money went to pay for this piece of crap.
-Unlucky Saturn Owner.
This problem of cold start is very troubling to us all. GM should be ashamed of themselves leaving its customers out in the COLD on this ignition switch problem. They have a lot of nerve going to tax payers for a bailout of 34 billion or so for their bad business practices. This Saturn Ion problem is just a great example why Congress should let them go bankrupt.
This is a recall item that hasn't been recalled. I have a 2004 Ion2 with this problem. I have 3 payments left just in time for this cold start problem. I don't want to replace the switch if it won't remedy the problem.
Thanks GM for your continued customer loyalty (corporate dirt-bags),I am thinking of getting a remote starter, but I have not seen a posting on any blogs as this fixing the problem. I can't see investing any money in this car if I can't have the ignition problem fixed. I might have to bite the bullet and get a new vehicle.
I always bought American made cars. This was the last straw for me. Never again will I buy a GM anything, you couldn't give me one!!!
I've had my Ion for about a year now, or close to it. A 2004 Saturn Ion coupe with nearly 60,000 miles.
Recently, more like in the last month, I've experienced the no starting issue. Living in Michigan the weather here gets pretty chilly. Especially now with the snow and all that junk. But anyways, just a month ago I've the car wouldn't start and the only noise I'd hear is the simple single click I'd get from whatever it is.
Then just recently, like yesterday, I'm driving along the road, when all the gauges, excluding the speed one, would just shut down, as if they weren't on or something. When I'd come to a stop and when I'd press the gas for a little bit, they'd go back up again, then my doors would flicker, unlock and lock. Strange, really strange.
Then the pwr str issue started flashing in my dashboard. So frustrating. I just don't know what's wrong with my car. Taking it in to the dealership tomorrow.. I'm hoping this issue won't be an expensive one. This is so ridiculous.
I have an 04 Ion. I hate this car. Actually I beyond hate this car.
Yes, the seats stain. Yes, the mpg goes down. Yes, its all plastic and downright sucky.
But more than anything else, it won't start.
I need to leave the house at 7am on weekdays. I check the weather at 5am. If its gone below freezing at all overnight I have to go out at 6 to begin the process of starting my car.
6:00-crank. Click. Passlock icon appears. Nothing. Lock/Unlock with remote, try again. Same result.
6:10-crank. Click. Passlock icon appears. Nothing. Lock/Unlock with remote, try again. Same result.
6:20-crank. Click. Nothing. I scowl at my neighbor with the 05 Ion which starts right up.
6:30-crank. Nothing. I scowl at my neighbor with the Vue which starts right up.
6:45-crank. It starts... I rejoice for half a second. It dies. I look enviously at the Honda next to me.
6:50-crank. Nothing.
7:00-crank. Nothing. Now I start to cuss.
7:10-crank. Its starts right up like nothing's wrong.
...and I'm 10 min late. This happens EVERY morning its even the slightest bit cold.
Hate this car. Hate it.
I have a Saturn 2004 ION 2 and same problem. Car doesn’t start when it’s cold. Some people point the ignition switch see 16th mar 2007, 15:48 on this web this site.
Or See #93 on this web sites:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@@.f1137a7/92
Or http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Why_does_my_2003_Saturn_Ion_with_a_new_battery_start_sometimes_and_not_start_sometimes
Or if you understand what is a PASSLOCK and you are a mechanic see #84:
http://townhall-talk.edmunds.com/WebX?14@@.f1137a7/83
Or
http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/558568
I will go for the ignition switch and hope for the best :-)
Freezing in Montreal, Canada :-0.
I have the same problem. I dread it when the temp hits below 35 degrees. I'm in Minnesota and it's going to be -14 tomorrow morning. It looks like it will take me about an hour to get it started. Why won't Saturn recall this pile of crap?
Has anyone ever complained to the BBS? I also have a 2004 Saturn ion with all the stated problems, bushing sway bar links. I have had them replaced 4 times, and the noise in the front end of the car never went away, my front driver side tire always goes bald first and cracked the rim. Yesterday and today my car would not turn over like it was dead; waited 10-20 minutes and it starts then stalls out, then do this process all over again.
I have dumped more money in this car and I'm never gonna get any of it back. By the way, the hood cable is broke so you have to open the hood with a screwdriver though the grille, and the heater is making a ticking noise and ready to go out at any minute.