Its the computer system engaging the security system, best way to fix this is to install a remote starter, we did this and haven't had any starter issues since.
i have a 2004 saturn ion and mine does the same exact thing. we cannot figure out what the heck is wrong with it, but my mechanic suggested that my key was not coded because its not the original copy from the dealership. if you have fixed the problem, please let me know what can be done because i'm sick of my car not starting! i have a very tight schedule between school and work, so i need a reliable car.
I HAD THIS PROBLEM THIS MORNING AND HAD TO PAY $10 TO BUM A RIDE TO WORK. COULDA PUT THAT IN GAS. BAD THING IS I JUS BOUGHT THIS CAR NOT EVEN 30 DAYS AGO. SHOULDA GOT A COROLLA.
Also check my profile. I have a video of me replacing the ignition switch based on research I did on the Internet (I am no mechanic). I have been fighting the winter start problem for three years and this fixed it. It has started every day since. Total cost $29.99
Ignition switch. Really. Look at my profile, I have a vid for Not starting, then starting. You have to wait out the pass lock, 10 minutes. It's a known problem your mechanic should be able to remedy. It doesn't like the cold. My mechanic quoted me $300, final price was about $150.
I have also done a fair amount of research through forums, as all GM vehicles have this Passlock System. There are several other GM owners with the same problem. Some other fixes I have seen are installing a new ignition switch (cold weather thickens the grease and messes with the codes), or "cutting the white wire", which I DO NOT recommend...especially if you live in a state where an annual inspection is required. The engine light will remain on if you do this.
My 2006 has the same problem. The Passlock Theft-deterrent system is very sensitive. If the car doesn't start, try again in 10 minutes, or as soon as the light stops flashing (the passlock light is the one between your gas gauge and the speedometer that is a car pictured with the padlock). If you have a spare key, compare it to the one you are currently using. If there is any wear and tear, use the one in better shape. That should help the problem.
saturn ions are death traps i got stuck on a bridge in the snow holding up traffic,lost power steering in the mountains,so many messed up stories.lawsuit these assholes they wont help me they wont help you lets get this thing a rolling
anti theft system on, plus all saturn ion all have swicth problem, i have replace mine ign switch three time and after that u have to do a relearn procedure to turn it on, three times, i had the same damn problem with my 04 saturn ion, i'm thinking of trading it for a honda civic si............the anti theft system on a saturn it's a toothache.....
@DracoAzule yep, dint know but u learn from experience, now i got it working fine, a gm technician came to my house and reprogrammed the computer since it had a code that was blocking my ign swict and cutting the power going to the fuel pump, now it's fine but i was breaking my head figuring out what was wrong
A few years ago I bought a Saturn Vue. It has been the typical American lemon car. Such a car could only be produced by people who take no pride in their work, have no idea how to engineer, have no clue when it comes to administration, use shabby parts, are unskilled/uneducated, don't practice quality control, needlessly rush production, have no loyalty to customers & show up to work on drugs. In other words, it was produced by typical American management & labor.
It's the ignition sensor switch. Had to get mine replaced..notice how if u wait 10 mns it will start? That's cause the computer reset. Ur vehicle theft light is blinking because the ignition sensor is not recognizing Ur key. Cost about 500 at the dealership to get it fixed.
its the passlock wire under the steering coloumn and is a simple fix of cutting the wire and essentially disabiling the passlock... Im not recommending the fix just stating that its been adressed else where on the web and is a highly common issue with saturn ion owners. Google ion, white wire, and passlock.
A bit late, but my 2001 Saturn L100 had problems starting like you describe, I would have to stop trying to start it for a while, 15-20 minutes before I can attempt to start and it'll actually turn over.
I took it in and the guys checked it out, it was the security system that was tripping and killing the motor to avoid theft.
@elcaminojosh I'm not saying that all Japanese cars are the best, I definately didn't like how Toyota handled the QA issues and just blamed their electronic problems on the floor mats - WTF?! As a family man, I just wasn't confident puting my family on a car that keeps breaking down and the company behind it (GM) looking the other way, whistling, like they don't know what's going on. "If it's broke - FIX IT, GM!" Oh wait... you closed up the bran to avoid recalls - Nice >:(
Yeaa i luvv the ion quad coupes im gnna get one wen im abble to drive i kno alot bout cars nddd i kno tht "errrrrrr" sound iss stability traction lmaooo .
you can replace your ignition switch and it should fix the problem. For how long idk but that's the solution a lot of us have come up with. I need to replace mine because i continue to have this problem every so often.
I had this problem with an 04 I just bought last week. I fixed it by replacing the old grease in the switch with new dielectric grease. The weather here is well into the minus and the car just would not start...took 10min or more - a big pain! Since I "reconditioned" the switch the car starts no problem yesterday afternoon after sitting for 4 hrs since the repair (about -12) and this morning after sitting all night (about -11).
Mine does exactly the same thing, regardless of whether it was just running fine a minute ago or not. If you read up on it, this is either the "white wire" issue(passlock) or it is the other issue - the ignition cylinder. With that one, you can either replace the ignition cylinder with a new one (they have finally put new grease on these) or take out the ign. cylinder, remove all the oem grease, and put on a light coating of dielectric grease.
This happens to our 03 ion sometimes. When it does, just leave the headlights on for about 3-5min. The car should start up then. Oh and BTW, that "errrrrr" is the fuel injection.
@elcaminojosh Just telling it like it is. We were very dissapointed with our Saturn Ion experience. We purchased the car Brand New (wanted to buy American made car to support America). Our left tail lights keeps going out (5 times in 3 months) - Saturn finally had a re-call after a year. Winter came, had issues like the video every freakin winter - took it back to the dealer several times but never acknowledged the problem. Finally traded in the saturn for an Accord - best decision ever!
@antster7 ....Yea because that's much easier and simpler than simply taking apart the inside steering column and cutting the white wire to the security sensor.
@antster7 Like what a YOTOTA? I'd rather have a Saturn that won't start than a TOYOTA that won't stop and kill me as it crashes and burns into a mountainside. You Japanese car lovers are freakin' brainwashed. SAIONARA!
@nicajm Won't stop? What are you talking about you brainwashed fool? The problem is that the gas pedal MAY stuck, but the brakes would STILL WORK. Just hit the brake and the car will stop as normal. Now who is brainwashed with other people's bullshit? You.
@gentle285 TEN MILLION TOYOTA RECALLS. That's what I'm talkin' about.The gas pedal DID stick, and killed at least 32 people NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY PRESSED THE BRAKES. How many people were killed by Saturn? ZERO. TEN MILLION RECALLED TOYOTAS. The facts don't lie, and sticking with Japanese cars is the worst advice to give someone, unless you want them DEAD. Look in the mirror and say "BRAINWASHED". You're very welcome.
@nicajm NONE of the killed people stepped on the brakes. If you step on the brakes the CAR WILL STOP. It was tested by several auto magazines, and one of our auto magazines to, with several Toyotas. ALL of them stopped quickly when they hit the brakes, or put the car into neutral or just shut the engine off. Those 32 people were all dumb Americans, and they couldn't even press the brakes. Look in the mirror and say: "I'M DUMB AS HELL". 10 million cars or not, the "solution" was easy.
this only happens in the winter so read your owners manual and find out how to disable the passlock with the remote and then dont use the remote till it warms up me and my girlfriend troubleshoot this for years her 2004 saturn ion does this and it is annoying just disable the passive passlock and manually lock and unlock your doors
once you deactivate the passlock just manually lock the doors and use your key every time you use your remote to lock the doors it activates the passlock to check if the passlock is still on lock your car manually and stand behind your car and see if the lock is flashing on your dash. I know this can be frustrating cause it only happens when the car is below 30 degrees in the morning it acts up and it takes 10 minutes with the key in the ignition for it relizes the car is not getting stolen.
Read your owner manual what you have is a passlock still on when you shut your car off or use the sensor on your remote to lock it you will see a lock icon on your dash. you should be able to deactivate the passlock with the remote on your key chain for my girlfriends car I put the key in the ignition and turned it to the on or accessories then I pushed the panic button 5 times you will hear a chime once you hear the chime push the unlock button on the remote this disables the passlock.
You need to cut the wire. Look to your right. There is a video by a youtuber by the name of oblio9 called '"Cutting the White Wire" . He will show you step by step what you need to do because Saturn will do nothing but tell you you need a new igintion switch or something and just take your money. The problem will not be solved until you cut the wire. Its easy and you will never have this problem again.
Its not the battery idiots, its due to some white wire that you have to cut. I've had this problem for years and found out yesterday about needing to cut the wire. Its Saturn's dirty little secret.
I dont know why people are thinking its the battery or starter. Its the Passlock system. You can see the light blinking. And the WHRRR noise is the Fuel pump.
@NotARealUTubeAccount passlock isnt that something to do with the security light that comes on when you go to start a GM car I believe I may be wrong but if I am right my uncle had a similar issue with his 95 olds that he had
@schindlerman96 Passlock is completely associated with the Security OR little lock light. If your car wont start and this light is flashing...its nothing other than a fault with the system. Most GM cars will have this issue. With the saturns it just turns out to be the grease or lubricant in the ignition that is the problem.
It's a Passlock problem. Many a Saturn owners experience this problem due to faulty grease in the ignition switch. Replace the ignition switch as the newer ones are supposed to have better grease.
man saturn sucks everybody have problem like these man sumtimes im late 2 work cuz of this car n sumtime my pwr str light turns on when im driving n i have to pull over n turn of the car and turn it back on n it be smooth again
yeah my ion does this and i just turn the wheel to the left real hard and it starts.very strange now i gotta figure out why my windows wont roll down unless i shut the car off and open and shut the door until they work
my first pontiac grand am did the same thing. GM puts a passlock system in all their cars. It's a key reader.. All of their keys has a transponder in them that have a code to the car and also to the key.. Thing is, the passlock systems usually go bad easily. I had to replace it in my first grand am which my sister has now. Try having your Passlock system checked.
Try turning the steering wheel. No joke. I had the same problem with my saturn and turned out the steering wheel was just locked. I was like really? Fail. lol
i think ist the starter i had the same problem with my saturn. i had a dead spot in my starter. try tapping the starter lightly with a hammer or use a test light on it when its doing it. put the light on the S terminal well some one trys to start it. if it lights up then you have a dead spot. good luck.. ps. the humm sound is your fule pump.
I have a Saturn Ion 2004.. I just experienced this problem this morning. Only thing is, my locks arent working now so I thought it was the battery.. not sure though but then I hear its the ignition switch that this type of car seems to have constant problems with. Help anyone?
i know why its not starting up beacuse of the light on top a lot of gm cars have that ligh which is secrtry that convice the car to start thats why it it not starting up beacuse its blinking and the secrty sistm needs to to be disconneted so thear is no ingnition swich porblem my 07 ion had the same problem but that is how i fixed it
i have a 06 saturn ion and it shuts off every time i put it in park and let it idle. what could that be. its also happened to me when i have been driving. could i have the same issue with my ignition??
that would have something to do with one of the codes possibly...check it out at your local autozone or whatnot..a lot of stores out there check your codes for free. your engine may shut down the car thinking something's wrong. good luck!
i had a 2004 saturn ion 2 and there was this thing in the steering column and there was a recall. i was at a bread shop and i got out to leave and my car will not start it did the same thing your does
@Alexscott100 I have that exact car it i thought i was the only one with this problem, It has left my wife and kid a number of times . Usually when i am half way there to help them out it will just start!? It drives me insane!!!
I have a 98 saturn sc2 and its doing the same thing i replaced my starter battery and it couldnt be my atl cause it would of killed my battery i thought my battery had died but when i went to jump it nothing happened everything works lightsoutside, air and my cd player The guy i bought it from said it was the wires it did the same thing on him he got it tooken care of and it didnt mess up for 7months i had the car for 4months befor it messed up on me. I dnt knw what do with it its a pretty car
I also have the problem don't waste money one a new starter, new battery, or anything else they tell you. watch these videos and read the thousands of forums with people having the same problem don't spend the money at saturn
if you have a non stock remote control like one you bought with a car starter on it when you go to unlock it with that new remote it trips the cars anti-theft device because the car thinks sombody is trying to break into it, I know stupid right! what you need to lock the car with only the stock remote that came with the car and you might not be able to use the new one if you have one, if you dont then i cant help you
I took my car to a GM dealer for them to look at it. The GM dealer said, ' we're not a saturn dealer', They didn't even want to look at it. I did find that if I use the remote to unlock it and warm the key in my hand, turn the key to the on, wait then turn all the way to start, it useally works
i have an 04 RL and mine does the same thing. i just use a blow dryer and put it in the cubby hole underneth the steering wheel and leave it there to warm up the grease in the colum and withn 5mins or so it starts up. would like to fix it but for now this works for me.
I live in warm weather. I was told to clean the ignition switch. When I opened it up it was clean as a whistle. I noticed it had very light contact between the metal contacts and the switchboard. I bent the contacts to make more pressure against the switchboard. No problems yet. The cheap switches seam to lose pressure and cause intermitted electric contact. I suggest trying this before cutting wires.
This is a VERY common problem with Ions (Coming from an owner and a Saturn salesman). Unfortunately, Saturn hasn't deemed it recall worthy. The issue is the cold. The ignition switch has a grease that hardens when cold and picks up metal shavings from the switch's normal use. This causes the passlock to misfire (even if you're key doesn't have a passlock, the car has the system, it's cheaper to build it that way). If you pull out this switch and clean it and replace the grease, it works right.
I never had the problem until December 2009 and in Denver Colorado my ignition ceased to work.
The car was towed to the local saturn dealership and they discovered it was the wiring harness and required a replacement place reprogram the car and it has"t happened since and I have driven it in near zero teperatures and no problem.Cost of repair is 1500 to 2 thousand dollars tops.
I was told not to change the ignition or mess with the computer, it will only make the problem WORSE!
DeeusaMD 1 week ago
Its the computer system engaging the security system, best way to fix this is to install a remote starter, we did this and haven't had any starter issues since.
DeeusaMD 1 week ago
BTW to replace is like 200
lastpally 4 weeks ago
Ignition switch system. Had to replace mine. It wasn't a Saturn issue but a GM issue on all cars of this platform.
lastpally 4 weeks ago
It's you passlock in the ignition. Promise. It will fix the problem saturns have this issue. Get a new one.
5Latorre5 1 month ago
i have a 2004 saturn ion and mine does the same exact thing. we cannot figure out what the heck is wrong with it, but my mechanic suggested that my key was not coded because its not the original copy from the dealership. if you have fixed the problem, please let me know what can be done because i'm sick of my car not starting! i have a very tight schedule between school and work, so i need a reliable car.
oxfreefallinxo 1 month ago
Your ignition switch had to be replaced I bet.
mobes329 2 months ago
i just got one and its nice
ihavecrazytalents098 2 months ago
I HAD THIS PROBLEM THIS MORNING AND HAD TO PAY $10 TO BUM A RIDE TO WORK. COULDA PUT THAT IN GAS. BAD THING IS I JUS BOUGHT THIS CAR NOT EVEN 30 DAYS AGO. SHOULDA GOT A COROLLA.
macario111 3 months ago
mine did the exact same thing then we replaced the terminals and now it starts every time
ouelletteandrew 3 months ago
Just disconnect the neg from the battery and wait 20 min than reconnect it that will rest the computer in the car
Stix080803 3 months ago
Also check my profile. I have a video of me replacing the ignition switch based on research I did on the Internet (I am no mechanic). I have been fighting the winter start problem for three years and this fixed it. It has started every day since. Total cost $29.99
mafisk67 3 months ago
Ignition switch. Really. Look at my profile, I have a vid for Not starting, then starting. You have to wait out the pass lock, 10 minutes. It's a known problem your mechanic should be able to remedy. It doesn't like the cold. My mechanic quoted me $300, final price was about $150.
4x4GGG 4 months ago
@4x4GGG Did it cost you that much because youtook it to the mechanic,or because that was the actual price of the part?
smiguet 2 days ago
If you find a permanent fix, let me know. Good luck.
kmr1289 4 months ago
I have also done a fair amount of research through forums, as all GM vehicles have this Passlock System. There are several other GM owners with the same problem. Some other fixes I have seen are installing a new ignition switch (cold weather thickens the grease and messes with the codes), or "cutting the white wire", which I DO NOT recommend...especially if you live in a state where an annual inspection is required. The engine light will remain on if you do this.
kmr1289 4 months ago
My 2006 has the same problem. The Passlock Theft-deterrent system is very sensitive. If the car doesn't start, try again in 10 minutes, or as soon as the light stops flashing (the passlock light is the one between your gas gauge and the speedometer that is a car pictured with the padlock). If you have a spare key, compare it to the one you are currently using. If there is any wear and tear, use the one in better shape. That should help the problem.
kmr1289 4 months ago
Its the battery
DJEddieXZ 4 months ago
@DJEddieXZ Yes, because all the lights turning on and the stereo lighting up means the battery is totally dead. Get a brain.
rockgod235 2 months ago
@rockgod235 Dont get pissy because your car doesnt work, Just trying to help you out.....
DJEddieXZ 2 months ago
there something wrong with your clutch sensor when you push it in it not telling the computer your clutch is in
acemontages 4 months ago
saturn ions are death traps i got stuck on a bridge in the snow holding up traffic,lost power steering in the mountains,so many messed up stories.lawsuit these assholes they wont help me they wont help you lets get this thing a rolling
dand3100 4 months ago
gas pump!!!
\
DmitriyDi 5 months ago
anti theft system on, plus all saturn ion all have swicth problem, i have replace mine ign switch three time and after that u have to do a relearn procedure to turn it on, three times, i had the same damn problem with my 04 saturn ion, i'm thinking of trading it for a honda civic si............the anti theft system on a saturn it's a toothache.....
mitsuevo8mr 7 months ago
@mitsuevo8mr So you're telling me you spent all that money on new sensors when you could have simply cut the white wire for free?
Rofl
DracoAzule 6 months ago
@DracoAzule yep, dint know but u learn from experience, now i got it working fine, a gm technician came to my house and reprogrammed the computer since it had a code that was blocking my ign swict and cutting the power going to the fuel pump, now it's fine but i was breaking my head figuring out what was wrong
mitsuevo8mr 5 months ago
@DracoAzule iam thinking bout cutting the wire does it work
dand3100 4 months ago
A few years ago I bought a Saturn Vue. It has been the typical American lemon car. Such a car could only be produced by people who take no pride in their work, have no idea how to engineer, have no clue when it comes to administration, use shabby parts, are unskilled/uneducated, don't practice quality control, needlessly rush production, have no loyalty to customers & show up to work on drugs. In other words, it was produced by typical American management & labor.
Ninoortah 7 months ago
my 2004 ion i had did that its the starter switch we dont have the ion anymore cause in 2008 my mom flipped it
Alexscott100 7 months ago
I have a 2003 saturn ion, and this happened to me about a month ago, did it a couple times, but It hasnt happened since,
pugluvr69 8 months ago
It's the ignition sensor switch. Had to get mine replaced..notice how if u wait 10 mns it will start? That's cause the computer reset. Ur vehicle theft light is blinking because the ignition sensor is not recognizing Ur key. Cost about 500 at the dealership to get it fixed.
wangC13 10 months ago
its the passlock wire under the steering coloumn and is a simple fix of cutting the wire and essentially disabiling the passlock... Im not recommending the fix just stating that its been adressed else where on the web and is a highly common issue with saturn ion owners. Google ion, white wire, and passlock.
stockbogger 10 months ago
A bit late, but my 2001 Saturn L100 had problems starting like you describe, I would have to stop trying to start it for a while, 15-20 minutes before I can attempt to start and it'll actually turn over.
I took it in and the guys checked it out, it was the security system that was tripping and killing the motor to avoid theft.
EmptyWalls100 10 months ago
@elcaminojosh I'm not saying that all Japanese cars are the best, I definately didn't like how Toyota handled the QA issues and just blamed their electronic problems on the floor mats - WTF?! As a family man, I just wasn't confident puting my family on a car that keeps breaking down and the company behind it (GM) looking the other way, whistling, like they don't know what's going on. "If it's broke - FIX IT, GM!" Oh wait... you closed up the bran to avoid recalls - Nice >:(
antster7 10 months ago
SHOULD HAVE BOUGHT A CIVIC OR COROLLA!!!!! I'll bet your "buy American" pride is REALLY biting you in the ass now, huh?!!
landyachtfan79 11 months ago
Yeaa i luvv the ion quad coupes im gnna get one wen im abble to drive i kno alot bout cars nddd i kno tht "errrrrrr" sound iss stability traction lmaooo .
DubbViews 11 months ago
you can replace your ignition switch and it should fix the problem. For how long idk but that's the solution a lot of us have come up with. I need to replace mine because i continue to have this problem every so often.
ledzeppelin8 11 months ago
Hey, Well I havee bad luck Cause This was o my birthday.... ;p Thtss Mest Up...
eryonne2468 1 year ago
Hey, Well I havee bad luck Cause This was o my birthday.... ;p
eryonne2468 1 year ago
does your key turn at all? im having a problem with my saturn now that they key wont turn. all the lights and everything work fine. but nothing :(
tinkdakink 1 year ago
does your key turn at all? im having a problem with my saturn now that they key wont turn. all the lights and everything work fine. but nothing :(
tinkdakink 1 year ago
That sound u herd is the fuel pump turning on thats normal.
TheKingclown1000 1 year ago 3
I had this problem with an 04 I just bought last week. I fixed it by replacing the old grease in the switch with new dielectric grease. The weather here is well into the minus and the car just would not start...took 10min or more - a big pain! Since I "reconditioned" the switch the car starts no problem yesterday afternoon after sitting for 4 hrs since the repair (about -12) and this morning after sitting all night (about -11).
vstringbassist 1 year ago
Yep, you have an Ion. That is what they do.
Mine does exactly the same thing, regardless of whether it was just running fine a minute ago or not. If you read up on it, this is either the "white wire" issue(passlock) or it is the other issue - the ignition cylinder. With that one, you can either replace the ignition cylinder with a new one (they have finally put new grease on these) or take out the ign. cylinder, remove all the oem grease, and put on a light coating of dielectric grease.
thedonofanewera 1 year ago
This happens to our 03 ion sometimes. When it does, just leave the headlights on for about 3-5min. The car should start up then. Oh and BTW, that "errrrrr" is the fuel injection.
Mds9608 1 year ago
sell your ion and get a japanese brand instead. They should have named the company uranus because that's what they are - full of Sh*t!
antster7 1 year ago 3
@antster7 thats some bullshit.
elcaminojosh 10 months ago
@elcaminojosh Just telling it like it is. We were very dissapointed with our Saturn Ion experience. We purchased the car Brand New (wanted to buy American made car to support America). Our left tail lights keeps going out (5 times in 3 months) - Saturn finally had a re-call after a year. Winter came, had issues like the video every freakin winter - took it back to the dealer several times but never acknowledged the problem. Finally traded in the saturn for an Accord - best decision ever!
antster7 10 months ago
@antster7 trade it in for a bugatti or something
elcaminojosh 7 months ago
@antster7 ....Yea because that's much easier and simpler than simply taking apart the inside steering column and cutting the white wire to the security sensor.
Idiot.
DracoAzule 6 months ago
@antster7
Funny how the motors they put in this car are in the top 10 in the entire world as far as reliability goes.
SuperAndroid17 5 months ago
@antster7 Like what a YOTOTA? I'd rather have a Saturn that won't start than a TOYOTA that won't stop and kill me as it crashes and burns into a mountainside. You Japanese car lovers are freakin' brainwashed. SAIONARA!
nicajm 2 months ago
@nicajm Won't stop? What are you talking about you brainwashed fool? The problem is that the gas pedal MAY stuck, but the brakes would STILL WORK. Just hit the brake and the car will stop as normal. Now who is brainwashed with other people's bullshit? You.
gentle285 2 months ago
@gentle285 TEN MILLION TOYOTA RECALLS. That's what I'm talkin' about.The gas pedal DID stick, and killed at least 32 people NO MATTER HOW HARD THEY PRESSED THE BRAKES. How many people were killed by Saturn? ZERO. TEN MILLION RECALLED TOYOTAS. The facts don't lie, and sticking with Japanese cars is the worst advice to give someone, unless you want them DEAD. Look in the mirror and say "BRAINWASHED". You're very welcome.
nicajm 2 months ago
@nicajm NONE of the killed people stepped on the brakes. If you step on the brakes the CAR WILL STOP. It was tested by several auto magazines, and one of our auto magazines to, with several Toyotas. ALL of them stopped quickly when they hit the brakes, or put the car into neutral or just shut the engine off. Those 32 people were all dumb Americans, and they couldn't even press the brakes. Look in the mirror and say: "I'M DUMB AS HELL". 10 million cars or not, the "solution" was easy.
gentle285 2 months ago
this only happens in the winter so read your owners manual and find out how to disable the passlock with the remote and then dont use the remote till it warms up me and my girlfriend troubleshoot this for years her 2004 saturn ion does this and it is annoying just disable the passive passlock and manually lock and unlock your doors
juice11008 1 year ago
once you deactivate the passlock just manually lock the doors and use your key every time you use your remote to lock the doors it activates the passlock to check if the passlock is still on lock your car manually and stand behind your car and see if the lock is flashing on your dash. I know this can be frustrating cause it only happens when the car is below 30 degrees in the morning it acts up and it takes 10 minutes with the key in the ignition for it relizes the car is not getting stolen.
juice11008 1 year ago
Read your owner manual what you have is a passlock still on when you shut your car off or use the sensor on your remote to lock it you will see a lock icon on your dash. you should be able to deactivate the passlock with the remote on your key chain for my girlfriends car I put the key in the ignition and turned it to the on or accessories then I pushed the panic button 5 times you will hear a chime once you hear the chime push the unlock button on the remote this disables the passlock.
juice11008 1 year ago
You need to cut the wire. Look to your right. There is a video by a youtuber by the name of oblio9 called '"Cutting the White Wire" . He will show you step by step what you need to do because Saturn will do nothing but tell you you need a new igintion switch or something and just take your money. The problem will not be solved until you cut the wire. Its easy and you will never have this problem again.
davidjmechanic 1 year ago
Its not the battery idiots, its due to some white wire that you have to cut. I've had this problem for years and found out yesterday about needing to cut the wire. Its Saturn's dirty little secret.
RangerboardsTokenGay 1 year ago
Yeah, your battery is dead.
No big deal
Just give it a charge.
Chrispisz12 1 year ago
I dont know why people are thinking its the battery or starter. Its the Passlock system. You can see the light blinking. And the WHRRR noise is the Fuel pump.
NotARealUTubeAccount 1 year ago
@NotARealUTubeAccount passlock isnt that something to do with the security light that comes on when you go to start a GM car I believe I may be wrong but if I am right my uncle had a similar issue with his 95 olds that he had
schindlerman96 1 year ago
@schindlerman96 Passlock is completely associated with the Security OR little lock light. If your car wont start and this light is flashing...its nothing other than a fault with the system. Most GM cars will have this issue. With the saturns it just turns out to be the grease or lubricant in the ignition that is the problem.
NotARealUTubeAccount 1 year ago
Pour diet coke on your battery contacts in the trunk. It worked for my '06 Ion.
dicebagdaryl 1 year ago
battery is just dead ... get it charged
MrRivii 1 year ago
It's a Passlock problem. Many a Saturn owners experience this problem due to faulty grease in the ignition switch. Replace the ignition switch as the newer ones are supposed to have better grease.
MikeO32989 1 year ago
Security Key, you can see the light blinking
mastermind48451 1 year ago
Eather The Battery Is Flat, Or No Connection To The Starter
CrazyBoyDD 1 year ago
Pag made sa u.s BULOK! lagi may defects
vjbabe26 1 year ago
same happened to my dads 2006 chevy malibu but for some reason it just started working later that day and didnt have that problem anymore.
menofat1 1 year ago
man saturn sucks everybody have problem like these man sumtimes im late 2 work cuz of this car n sumtime my pwr str light turns on when im driving n i have to pull over n turn of the car and turn it back on n it be smooth again
DjXplosive09 1 year ago
yeah my ion does this and i just turn the wheel to the left real hard and it starts.very strange now i gotta figure out why my windows wont roll down unless i shut the car off and open and shut the door until they work
dickmharter 1 year ago
my first pontiac grand am did the same thing. GM puts a passlock system in all their cars. It's a key reader.. All of their keys has a transponder in them that have a code to the car and also to the key.. Thing is, the passlock systems usually go bad easily. I had to replace it in my first grand am which my sister has now. Try having your Passlock system checked.
capricorn7086 1 year ago
Try turning the steering wheel. No joke. I had the same problem with my saturn and turned out the steering wheel was just locked. I was like really? Fail. lol
ALJwifey3406 1 year ago
what's the update on the problem? any luck fixing it? Let us know.
Duluiyah 1 year ago
Comment removed
aron31872 1 year ago
does it make a loud click when you put it into the start position? just one click?
p174208 1 year ago
Should've bought a Civic or Corolla!!!
landyachtfan79 1 year ago
ha dident see when this was posted probley fixed by now..
MrKrazyEyez 1 year ago
i think ist the starter i had the same problem with my saturn. i had a dead spot in my starter. try tapping the starter lightly with a hammer or use a test light on it when its doing it. put the light on the S terminal well some one trys to start it. if it lights up then you have a dead spot. good luck.. ps. the humm sound is your fule pump.
MrKrazyEyez 1 year ago
i had the same problem on my 2005 saturn ion .
pcooney08 1 year ago
same problem here, and GM (government motors) won't fix it or recall it.
Duluiyah 1 year ago
I have a Saturn Ion 2004.. I just experienced this problem this morning. Only thing is, my locks arent working now so I thought it was the battery.. not sure though but then I hear its the ignition switch that this type of car seems to have constant problems with. Help anyone?
MrRuigni 1 year ago
i know why its not starting up beacuse of the light on top a lot of gm cars have that ligh which is secrtry that convice the car to start thats why it it not starting up beacuse its blinking and the secrty sistm needs to to be disconneted so thear is no ingnition swich porblem my 07 ion had the same problem but that is how i fixed it
beeabaw22 1 year ago
Not to hate, but at the 0:34 mark..... pumping the accelerator?? It's an injected vehicle.
Z28Racer 1 year ago
ignition switch is a very common problem with Ions. that's your problem.
igottmituns 2 years ago
i have a 06 saturn ion and it shuts off every time i put it in park and let it idle. what could that be. its also happened to me when i have been driving. could i have the same issue with my ignition??
SonyXplods21 2 years ago
that would have something to do with one of the codes possibly...check it out at your local autozone or whatnot..a lot of stores out there check your codes for free. your engine may shut down the car thinking something's wrong. good luck!
igottmituns 1 year ago
@igottmituns ok thanks man
SonyXplods21 1 year ago
i had a 2004 saturn ion 2 and there was this thing in the steering column and there was a recall. i was at a bread shop and i got out to leave and my car will not start it did the same thing your does
Alexscott100 2 years ago
@Alexscott100 I have that exact car it i thought i was the only one with this problem, It has left my wife and kid a number of times . Usually when i am half way there to help them out it will just start!? It drives me insane!!!
ImDanimal85 1 year ago
I have a 98 saturn sc2 and its doing the same thing i replaced my starter battery and it couldnt be my atl cause it would of killed my battery i thought my battery had died but when i went to jump it nothing happened everything works lightsoutside, air and my cd player The guy i bought it from said it was the wires it did the same thing on him he got it tooken care of and it didnt mess up for 7months i had the car for 4months befor it messed up on me. I dnt knw what do with it its a pretty car
Delisa09ful 2 years ago
The problem is in the wiring harness it happened in 2008 with my Saturn Ion 2004 model year repair cost is 1500,00 dollars.
I had mine done and so far so good the only way to fix it is to go to saturn and breakout the big bucks to replace it.
Save yourself the time and headache have it taken care of before it strands you someplace.
happymike44 2 years ago
I also have the problem don't waste money one a new starter, new battery, or anything else they tell you. watch these videos and read the thousands of forums with people having the same problem don't spend the money at saturn
cvail001 2 years ago
if you have a non stock remote control like one you bought with a car starter on it when you go to unlock it with that new remote it trips the cars anti-theft device because the car thinks sombody is trying to break into it, I know stupid right! what you need to lock the car with only the stock remote that came with the car and you might not be able to use the new one if you have one, if you dont then i cant help you
kristopher3637 2 years ago
I took my car to a GM dealer for them to look at it. The GM dealer said, ' we're not a saturn dealer', They didn't even want to look at it. I did find that if I use the remote to unlock it and warm the key in my hand, turn the key to the on, wait then turn all the way to start, it useally works
whokaresdude 2 years ago
i have an 04 RL and mine does the same thing. i just use a blow dryer and put it in the cubby hole underneth the steering wheel and leave it there to warm up the grease in the colum and withn 5mins or so it starts up. would like to fix it but for now this works for me.
OUTxOFxIDEAS 2 years ago
@OUTxOFxIDEAS
I had to do the same thing during winter...blow dryer and 5 minutes of blowing through small hole. It works but get boring after a while...
Chupria 2 years ago
I live in warm weather. I was told to clean the ignition switch. When I opened it up it was clean as a whistle. I noticed it had very light contact between the metal contacts and the switchboard. I bent the contacts to make more pressure against the switchboard. No problems yet. The cheap switches seam to lose pressure and cause intermitted electric contact. I suggest trying this before cutting wires.
kirtzen1 2 years ago
This is a VERY common problem with Ions (Coming from an owner and a Saturn salesman). Unfortunately, Saturn hasn't deemed it recall worthy. The issue is the cold. The ignition switch has a grease that hardens when cold and picks up metal shavings from the switch's normal use. This causes the passlock to misfire (even if you're key doesn't have a passlock, the car has the system, it's cheaper to build it that way). If you pull out this switch and clean it and replace the grease, it works right.
djtron1x 2 years ago
turn the switch to the on position, NOT START. let all gages and lites go out. then turn the switch to start. it should start then.
Duluiyah 2 years ago
I have the same problem with a 2003 ion, nobody can figure it out, some body help!!!
lpnick9 2 years ago
I never had the problem until December 2009 and in Denver Colorado my ignition ceased to work.
The car was towed to the local saturn dealership and they discovered it was the wiring harness and required a replacement place reprogram the car and it has"t happened since and I have driven it in near zero teperatures and no problem.Cost of repair is 1500 to 2 thousand dollars tops.
happymike44 2 years ago
I've replaced this ignition starter twice since owning my 2003 Ion.
ehakken 2 years ago
replace your ignition starter.
I was thinking about cutting my wire that i saw on a video, and I decided to just replace it cause i hate the engine light lol.
It will usually start up within 10-30 minutes with me.
x3fallinlovex3 2 years ago
Did you notice the immobilizer warning light flashing evry time it didnt srart :-D
Cowboy2103 2 years ago