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Ione, OR Car Consumer Discussions

05 Ion 1 won't start after ignition lock replacement

by conagher on Mon Feb 18 20:04:12 PST 2008

I am seriously frustrated...I've been all over the internet, posting all kinds of questions, reading other people's numerous suggestions and getting nowhere. My car is stuck at home and I really need it to get to work (45 miles). Last October, my key got stuck in the ignition and after trying to extract it, I broke the key off inside the keyaway. I tried to take out the lock cylinder, but to no avail. So I just left it that way, using a flat-blade screwdriver to start the car. I was finally able to find an ignition lock for it and I replaced it yesterday. But, now it won't start. I bought a Chilton manual which explained the process of "relearning" the new key. After trying that several times, it still won't start. I found message #9 which referred me to "Saturn Problems & Solutions" (messages 793 & 797), but I was unable to find them. I'm very frustrated and I just want some straight answers without having to search the internet most of the day. Going to the dealer is just not financially feasable; they want $95 just to diagnose it. Not to mention the cost of having it towed.

Re: Thanks Meron [ebikedude]

by nobody14 on Sat Nov 15 23:06:13 PST 2008

I just stumbled across this tonight, and I have to admit I haven't read all 12 pages. It's been happening to me too! I have an '06 Ion, and I love everything about it except this! It only happens when it's cold, and it's so annoying! I can't figure out what it is about the cold that makes the car not recognize the key and therefore disable the fuel. I was thinking about getting a new key and trying that (I got this one used, thought maybe the key was worn and when the cylinder gets really cold maybe it wasn't making the right contact), but now that doesn't seem like it would help at all. It seems to me that once I get it to warm up a bit, then it will start up and be fine. I haven't had any problems with it while driving, it just won't start when it's cold. For those of you who have complained about it, who do I call/email to add my voice? This is ridiculus! And I emailed my local dealership a week ago about this (it's happened twice in the past 2 weeks and it's not even that cold yet!), and they didn't even bother to get back with me! And I used to work there! Anyway, if you guys tell me who to complain to, I will gladly do so...they should be doing a recall for this if this many of us are having problems. From what I've read, it's not just Saturns, it's pretty much all cars with the passlock system.

Re: Question for Meron [deepinohio]

by meron on Wed Feb 13 11:29:25 PST 2008

deepinohio First, check the links for a specific wiring diagram, or solution for your individual car. The white wire I found was specific to 2003/4 Ions. There are many different models made by GM that use this ant-theft circuitry. Thus wire colors are specific as well. The GM bulletin specifically states that a switch would be put in the "white wire" circuit, and the remote start added as per the aftermarket product describes. This switch would allow removal of batteries, or reading of the specific error codes, while in a normal starting mode, and also allow the car to be selectively started via the five minute rule, revert back to the "open" side of the switch, with or without the error padlock lite on the dash. I have not added a switch. These are small wires, twenty-guage if I remember correctly, and care should be used especially when adding a switch. Because these wires are so small reflects the 'voltage drop' that occurs in cold weather, just as a long extension cord needs to be a heavier guage wire as distance increases. Check the links I provided above. (Previous blog). There is a plug-in device, for $30-$40 dollars that supplies the voltage that the BCM requires to start the vehicle. As the BCM is 'fooled' I would assume that there would be no issues as far as changing batteries, etc. I don't think you need to cut wires, or add a switch. I may add a switch later, or try to reteach the BCM as I described previously. At some point I may try the $30 add on, especially when we trade the car. Otherwise I'll wait till spring; it's twenty degrees here and my daughter isn't home right now anyway. Hope this helps. Check the links and ask me any other questions and I'll try to update as I can. Good Luck!

Thanks Meron

by ebikedude on Sat Nov 15 14:23:17 PST 2008

Thanks Meron, I have spent hundreds of 10 minute periods sitting in that darn ION and your wire cutting trick did the job! Starts at once! I tried to negotiate with Saturn..........It is the last Saturn I will buy. This is the third switch, and I said enough is enough....you saved me 300 bucks.

Re: On Government Help For The Auto Makers [jeffyscott]

by gagrice on Sat Nov 15 08:41:56 PST 2008

Bring on the Volt.. I see the Volt as another GM failure in the making. Congress has put $7500 on the hood of the Volt and any other EV meeting the 16 KWH battery criteria. I have a novel solution. Why not encourage Mitsubishi to build a huge factory in the US for their soon to be released MIEV? Build it in a state like Nevada that is hard hit by the Housing bubble. It meets the criteria to get a $7500 tax credit. They are supposed to sell in the $24,000 range with Li-Ion batteries. They have 100 mile range that should satisfy all but the longest commuters. $16,500 is about half of what we will be expected to come up with for the Volt. And GM claims they will lose money at the $40k price point. Why encourage GM to build cars that lose money? Are you listening Iluv? I am pushing your car. I like it myself and would buy at the expected price to run all my errands that do not require a PU truck. Congress needs to take a look before they throw our money away on domestics with no hope for the future. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=124867

V50's, when I bought my cars, and other ramblings

by michaell on Thu Nov 06 20:28:21 PST 2008

stick - a couple of years ago, I did a quick test drive of a V50 T5 AWD. It was a bit small on the inside for me, but man, did that thing scoot! If you're that down on the Accord, I suspect you'll pull the trigger sooner rather than later, especially with a 90 mile commute. Like q, there is no way I would be able to remember the month in which I bought all my cars. However, November is a month where, for some reason or another, a number of the purchases took place: 1999 Ford Expedition (11/98) 2003 Saturn L300 (11/02) 2003 Ford Focus (11/03) 2005 Saturn VUE (11/04) Ironically, I have the hardest time remembering when we bought cars in my previous wife-time, when I lived in California. I know we bought two in a matter of two or three months ('91 Mazda Protege and '91 Nissan Sentra SE) - this was around Gulf War I and gas had shot up to ... gasp! ... $1.50/gal. Was costing us the princely sum of $30 to fill up our '88 Trooper. The L is the oldest in the fleet here .... the ION was bought in June of '06 and the VUE in August of '07.