what is ion1, ion2, ion3?

tire size. 13=1 14=2 15=3.

Nope incorrect ION1 has 14" tires ION2 has 15" tires ION3 has 16" also there different trim levels as well.The ION1 is the base model basic no power locks or power windows etc.The ION two jumps up power locks cd player etc.The ION3 is power windows door locks keyless entry.I dont know of any free repair manuals online we use mitchell on demand which is a paid subscription.AS far as your back up lights being inop or anything else that has to be diagnosed and takes time so thats why the fee.Also the scan tool they use costs like 7500 thats not counting the service stall they use to program all the computers look up service info etc.What exact info do you need?I can get it for you iam the staurn expert on here.

I've just learned something here-Thanks guys

Your welcome we learn something new everyday i try to learn atleast more then one thing a day.

the internet LIED! i thought 13" sounded strange?

Just like that idiot light called CEL it says this is the circuit but its not, lies a lot too-to include his buddy Mr. Glitch. I don't trust these two

Happy New Year 2012

[quote]the internet LIED![/quote]

OH NO!....say it ain't so. That can't be possible.

Hahaha........... Happy New Year guys

is it possible to look at a switch and tell if it's operable? the reason i ask: i put in new bulbs (lamps) and checked the fuse, so i figured the next thing to check would be the switch, and then if all else failed i'd take it over to the GMC/Saturn service center and have them do the diagnostics on the wiring. is it possible to test a switch with visual inspection alone, or with inexpensive equipment and an online service manual that i could invest in for later use? JW (just wondering) ....

Looking at a switch to see if its good unless its smoking or melted etc no it has to be tested.For grounds powers going in and out of it etc.You can do it best with a multimeter it also depends on which switch were talking about and what the problem your having.So what lights are inop please be as spefic as possible.

thanks for replying. the switch i'm referring to controls the backup/reverse light. i mentioned it in the original post. i should have repeated it. sorry for the oversight. in any case, i'll see if i can buy a subscription to an online manual so i can at least do simple repairs and maintenance.

So you have a manual transmission?

yes we have the ion1, at least that's what i think it's called. it's a 4-door sedan, manual transmission, no electronic door locks, no power windows, no ABS, no air conditioning. but we like it. it's a great car and we're glad we bought it (in March 2011). we have no complaints, except that it's uncomfortable when the temperature here in green bay and milwaukee gets above 90, which isn't often. but that's not the car's fault. :-) my son drives it mainly in milwaukee area where he goes to college. as long as he's careful when the roads are slippery (no ABS!), we're hoping he can drive it for four more years till he graduates.

Alright heres what you do to figure out your back up light issue.The back up light switch is right above the drivers side axle where it comes out the transmission.Put the key in the run position unplug the back up light switch then jumper the two terminals of the connector you just unplugged with a paper clip.If the back up lights come on when you do that repalce the switch.Its very common for those switch to go bad i have replaced a lot of them.Let me know what you find.

right. that's what happened. what's the best place to get switches and other parts online? or maybe somewhere like autozone or advance auto parts?

For price wise usually online if you need a factory part i use www.parts.com for hard to find factory parts.Another place i like is www.rockauto.com you can also copy and paste there part numbers to amazons search box to try for better prices and free shipping.It also depends if you need it now and what part your looking for some things i would never buy at certain big box auto parts stores because of bad expernices with thay part.

okay. good. thanks for the advice. we'll do some comparison shopping.

Alright if you have anymore questions let me know.