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2005 Saturn Ion 3' Malfunctioning Diagnostic Information

Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 SATURN ION
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 17,000 MILES
We have a 2005 Saturn Ion 3 with about 130,000 KM (81,250 miles). The vehicle has the 2.2 echo tech engine with automatic transmission. Late last year when the service engine warning light came on the vehicle was stalling and when we tried to get the OBD II diagnostic tool to determine the code it showed no codes. The car was then seen by a mechanic and he could not get his diagnostic tool to determine the codes. He thought that it probably required a new valve job. We then insisted that he investigated further into the problem then he suggested it was caused by a faulty engine coil. Then, he replaced it with a used one he had in storage. It worked; however, he could not provide us with an explanation why the vehicle is not showing the codes when the diagnostic tool is used. Now the car is working well but the service engine warning light is on again and we cannot determine the codes when we use the diagnostic tool. We would appreciate very much if someone could advice us what the solution to this problem is. Thank you.

Jim
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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 9:55 PM

22 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
So when you read the codes what happens?Does it say no codes?Does the scan tool power up off the obd2 connector what happens?
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Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 AT 10:05 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
When we connect the OBD II diagnostic tool to the vehicle the scan tool powers up off the OBD II connector ;however, it shows
00 as the code; ie, it is as if there is no problem with the vehicle.
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 AT 4:28 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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So did the light come on and stay on while driving the car?Also some code readers will only read the current not a history code. So if the key was turned off and then on it might not see the code.
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 AT 6:53 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
The light came on and continued to stay on while driving the car. The key was not turned off and then on. Instead, the instructions of the scanning were followed exactly as in the instruction manual. As mentioned before, keep in mind that the scanning tool of the other mechanic also showed no codes.
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 AT 7:00 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Then there must be a code in another computer other then the engine or transmission computer that the code readers you are using cant read. Probably 90 percent of those code readers and scan tools can only read generic obd2 engine and transmission codes.
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Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 AT 9:16 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Today we were able to buy a newer scanner which provided us with the codes P0030 and P0135. Based on this new information we would like to know what is the solution to our problem. Thank you.

Jim
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Thursday, August 16th, 2012 AT 10:07 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I wish just getting the codes was the answer to whats wrong with the car thats a starting point. The code P0030 is HO2s heater control circuit sensor 1 and the P0130 is HO2s circuit sensor 1. So it could be just a bad o2 sensor in the exhaust manifold or a problem with the wires terminals or computer. Does your new scan tool read live data?Also do you have a multimeter to do some testing?
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 3:57 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Thank you for your prompt response. Our new scan tool (INNOVA 3100f) reads live data. When I reviewed this information which is now stored in the memory of the scan tool I noticed 26 items of information. We also have a multimetre. Let me what information you need. I am standing by. Thank you.

Jim
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 4:16 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I dont see where it shows it does live data in the description. Freeze frame data is different then actual live data. Freeze frame data is a snap shot pic of data that happened when the codes were set. Live data is right now watching the coolant temp sensor temp rise the o2 sweeping thru its different voltage etc. What was the o2 sensor 1 voltage readings when the codes were set?Also heres the info I found out about your scan tool. They sell a obd 2 code reader on amazon that reads live data for like 54.
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 4:35 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
My mistake. It shows freeze frame data at the time when the codes were obtained. We are in the process of removing the ex. Manifold shield to get access to the o2 sensor. I will tell you the voltage O2 sensor once we do that.
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 5:04 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Thats not what I was talking about the first step would be to see what the o2 sensor was read live data wise on the scan tool. Then we unplug the sensor then again see what it reads on the scan tool. Thats why I asked what it read in the frreze frame data since you cant read live data.
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 5:09 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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That would be the key in the run position engine off what the o2 sensor voltage is then what it is unplugged?
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 6:56 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Thank you for the information. Certainly, geting the voltage information from the O2 sensor as explained by you is definitely crucial to determine the condition of the sensor. We decided to replace the sensor since the vehicle already has 81,250 miles and it is not that expensive from our supplier. After this we erased the codes and so far have driven the vehicle for a few miles without seeing the service engine light come on. We will keep you posted if there is any change in this. Once again, thank you for your help.

Jim
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 11:47 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Your welcome thats what were here for please let me know how you make out.
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Friday, August 17th, 2012 AT 11:50 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Since we replaced the O2 sensor three days ago, the check engine did not come on for the two days but yesterday after fifty kilometers since we replaced the check engine light came on. When I did the diagnostic using the new scan tool it shows code p0133. According to the manual this refers to O2 sensor circuit, (slow response (sensor 1). We would like to know what is causing this problem and what solution we can use. Please, keep in mind that the O2 sensor we replaced on Friday is a NTK oxygen sensor (#21546) from NGK Spark Plugs Inc. With a five-year warranty.
Thank you.

Jim
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Monday, August 20th, 2012 AT 4:19 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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I need to know what the front o2 sensor voltage reading is engine off key in the run position. Also if the o2 sensor has a nice voltage sweep while running and warmed uped. You could have a bad wire or open terminal.
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012 AT 12:00 AM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Yesterday my brother and my sister-in-law decided to drive the vehicle to their vacation place. The total estimated distance they will be travelling is about 1,000 km (625 miles). They have informed us that out of the 500 km the have driven so far the check engine light was on for the first thirty to ffty km only. Then the cheque engine light did not come on. They do not have a scanning tool with them. They will be coming back from their trip in two weeks. In the mean time since the light is no longer on, can we assume that the code p0133 as mentioned before is the reason why there is the slow response from the new O2 sensor? Thank you.

Jim
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012 AT 4:55 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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The P0133 is just telling you the computer is see a slow response or lazy front o2 sensor reading. If the lights not on then the code isn't active. Did you ever clear that code to see if it would come back?
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Wednesday, August 22nd, 2012 AT 5:10 PM
Tiny
JIM SAAD
  • MEMBER
  • 44 POSTS
Right after we installed tne new O2 sensor the codes were cleared. Then, the next time code pO133 was noticed. Next, I erased the code. The code showed up again briefly when they were on their way to their vacation destination. Then as mentioned before they did not notice the engine check light come on again. Thank you

Jim
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Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 AT 4:44 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Alright then I would just play it by ear and see if the light comes back on
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Thursday, August 23rd, 2012 AT 5:38 PM

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