It happens sometimes when it's cold. Hence the dozens of accounts of people replacing starters and batteries with no lasting results. First, the small things needed to be checked by doing some preliminary checks. However it does it now when its not cold. Runs fine in warm weather. If someone can also point out to me where is the exact location of the reserve coolant so I can fully drain the coolant in the engine. I posted this tutorial with the hope of helping the home mechanic in performing this frustrating job.
I have a 2004 Saturn Ion 2 with manual transmission. It will click and click and click, then nothing. . Visibility problem causes driver to take vision off road longer-no specific accident has occurred but numerous close calls have occurred as a result of what apparently is a flaw. This usually happens 5 times a week and normally in the morning.
It was cold outside, and the car wouldn't start. I am going to try this method. The manufacturer stated that the failure was a factory defect. The call was made and the car was towed to firestone on dixwell Ave. Only when humid, or temp drops around 40 degrees.
You will have to reach up under the back of the block, around the exhaust. There was some buzzing from the car during this but nothing I found alarming. Battery, starter, and wires all checked all in working order. Something is seriously wrong and something needs to be done to correct this. I was on my way to I-91. I jest, since trucks regularly pass going well over 70! I researched on the internet and found a forum where dozens of other Ion owners where having similar problems.
I have taken it to a repair shop twice now and both times they've said they cant replicate the problem and cant seem to figure out whats wrong. I have normal acceleration up until I hit 3000 rpms. It seems like it happens on every Saturn Ion yet Saturn won't do anything about it. I was stuck in the cold a few mornings before work trying to get the car started. This is clearly a common problem that occurs for Ion owners in cold weather.
When the lubricant freezes, the passlock anti theft alarm does not get it's electrical signal so it activates and prohibits fuel from being used so the car does not start. Everything else in the car works great but when I accelerated to 60 mph the rpms jumped to about 4700 and when I let off the gas they dropped to 2500. Since this is such a sporadic and temperamental problem it would be difficult for a mechanic to diagnose. Money has been spent on starters and batteries but many owners of this similar vehicle have had the same problem, but Saturn is refusing to fix the problem. I can re enter car a few times, but after a day or so the same problem. And most replace them for you, just remember this.
Diagnostic Codes B2960 and B3033 These two codes are often flagged by the Body Control Module when the Pass-lock sensor inside the ignition switch goes bad. Since there are over 22 different wiper arm attachments, do not buy wipers just by length only. In a separate recent incident, again, on my way to an interstate, the car went dead again. This is an obvious safety issue Saturn needs to address. Why hasn't this been recalled? The first sign of cold that year, late November, the car would not start at all.
It stressful to get into a fairly new car and it not start. I am very hopeful that my efforts in making this complaint will result in a recall for the cause for this problem. We're here to help with whateveve questions or concerns. A very kind man offered to help push the car out of the incoming driveway. All the lights come on the display as well as a service vehicle indicator. The problem recurred this past Monday and this morning.
The person I spoke with at the Saturn service department said he was very familiar with the problem and verified the diagnosis I listed above dielectric lubrication freezing resulting the security system lockdown but said there were no related recalls. I have researched this through various discussion boards and most of them agree that there is a faulty switch in the ignition that leaks lubricant. I wait and wait, keep turning my key every so often, for a long period of time. That is when I found partsgeek. Sooo could it possibly be a bad connection to the starter or is something just draining my battery enough to make it not start? The dealer said that no one else has had this problem. Checked and remade wiring connections to the sensor.