2006 Saturn ION Consumer Discussions

key stuck

Stuck key in 2006 Ion

Written by: mimi2694 on Sep 27, 2009 03:54 PM

Saturn had already done the "exploratory surgery" on mine, replacing the ignition switch itself, some sort of computer. They finally narrowed it down the shift solenoid when I told them if I played with the key and the gear shift, taking it out of park and putting it back into park, sometimes that would work. So far the shift solenoid has been the answer and my key ... Read More...

Saturn Ion Starting Problems

Problems in cold weather, now in warm weather?

Written by: holloway5 on Apr 24, 2009 06:29 AM

I started having the issue discussed here on my 2006 Saturn ION 3 this past fall/winter. It seems like during that time period the car would only have the issue if the temperature was literally freezing or below (32 F). After the weather started warming up again in the past month, I figured the problem would go away. This morning I walked outside into 70 degree weather ... Read More...

Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [mikeey1]

Written by: 784julia on Feb 27, 2009 07:14 AM

Thanks for the tip about the Saturn bulletin, mikeey1. I'm so glad I found this message board. I had the non-starting problem twice last winter, then twice last week. Last year I took it to my mechanic, who "couldn't replicate the problem," but put in a new battery anyway. This year, I took it to my Saturn dealer. I told them I thought it was the ignition switch, and ... Read More...

Bad resistor

Written by: aceoksana on Feb 20, 2009 11:07 PM

I incountered A 2006 Ion yesterday. I have been a locksmith for 23 years specializing in automotive. Basically GM has 3 antitheft systems. Vats, passlock, and transponders. Yesterday I found that the Ion security system is Basically a passive Vats system. It lacks the hall effect coil and magnet of a passlock, and lacks the transponder and rf coil of a transponder. ... Read More...

Re: Ion won't start under -15 C. [choach]

Written by: mikeey1 on Feb 06, 2009 03:38 PM

Hi, 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 ... Read More...

Re: Contacted BBB, GM, DOT [jofloz]

Written by: Gliderguy on Jan 17, 2009 09:16 AM

I too have a 2006 Saturn Ion (11,000 mi and out of warranty) and since we went into the deep freeze this last week even keeping the car in the garage was not successful at keeping the shrunken contacts or quantum dot gremlins at bay. I have the "cold start problem" also. tried the different key routine but it might just be the 10 minute time-out that kicked in which fixed ... Read More...

Re: May have found an easy solution to the starting problom [agawamguy]

Written by: agawamguy on Jan 02, 2009 08:10 AM

OK, if anyone reads through the 170 some odd posts here like I did, you'll see that cutting the white wire is an inexpensive option that disables the entire Passlock system. I have a 2006 ION and here's exactly what I did yesterday while I was at work: I removed the three screws underneath the steering wheel column. I then removed the three piece plastic cover which ... Read More...

no title

Written by: agawamguy on Dec 17, 2008 00:43 AM

Hey everybody! I just got done reading every post in this thread. Over the summer I purchased a slightly used 2006 Ion from a Saturn Dealership here in New England and now that winter is here I'm having problems with the PassLock. I'm pretty pissed off that this is all happening but I've got to get it fixed one way or the other because I can't keep getting stranded for ... Read More...

Starting problems - ignition switch

Written by: becky1115 on Jan 22, 2008 09:16 AM

I have a 2006 Saturn Ion and have been having trouble this winter with not starting. Turn the key and nothing happens. Of course I have 40,000 miles and warranty up at 36,000. Called dealership and they told me that the grease in the ignition switch gums up when it is cold and doesn't recognize the key which then activites the passlock system and car CANNOT be started ... Read More...

Saturn Ion Brakes

Re: Brake lock [jetdoctor34]

Written by: david_d_gates on Jun 21, 2008 07:26 PM

I have a 2006 Saturn Ion that has had several problems with the brakes. One morning on the way to work my rear brakes locked up on me and sent me into a 360 on a "S" curve. Luckily I've had combat driving training in the army and I managed to recover, only after going into another spin in the other direction from over correcting. I've also had problems with the electronics ... Read More...