starting problem

When you get the crank no start is the security light on or flashing?Sound's like a bad ignition switch. To verify you will need to use a test light to see if you are getting power to the small trigger wire on the starter.

Hers a guide on using a test light

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-use-a-test-light-circuit-tester


https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair

My son has a 2005 Ion and has the same problem. Usually it happens when it is very cold out. Turn the key and nothing! Wait 8 minutes and it starts. My other son had the same problem with his Ion, but returned it shortly after he bought it and they fixed it. Seems like something Saturn is aware of but ignores.

To lucyann,
What was the problem.

Mine was the ignition switch.. all good now

i have lights , radio all heaterblowers work , lights do not dim won't start won't start with a jump either

Do you mean it cranks and will not start or won't crank at all/nothing-

No Crank:

Your possible causes could be the ignition switch, park and neutral switch, starter relay, and starter itself

Cranks but will not start-could be a fuel or spark problem: Do below

Get a starting fluid or ether and spray into the carb or the throttle body on an EFI. Did it start and die? If not disconnect a sparkplug wire or 2 and ground it to the engine -have helper crank engine over-do you have a snapping blue spark? If so-you have a fuel related problem, check the fuel pressure to rule out the fuel filter/fuel pump/pressure regulator and listen to the injector/s are they pulsing or hook up a noid light. No snapping blue spark continue to troubleshoot the ignition system-power input to the coil/coil packs,distributor pick-up coil, ignition control module, cam and crank sensors- Note: If it doesn't apply disregard it

the car does nothing no crank , no dimming of lights, won't start with a jump turn the key nothing, did it a few days ago it started with a jump acted fine for a week came out of work hit the key click nothing lights did not dim all other electrical works

I bet this only happens in the cold weather right? My wife has one of these and we go to Jersey every Christmas and it happens everytime. What it is, is the grease inside the ignition switch freezes and doesn't conduct electricity. You can have the ignition replaced, but it may happen again depending on the weather. If you do, make sure you get it greased with a very low temp freezing point grease. If you want to just get around the problem in the winter, use a blow dryer or something to give the ignition some heat.

As far as the sensor goes, I have not heard of that, but cannot rule it out either.

When I try to start my car by turning the key in the ignition the lights and radio come on so it is not a battery issue. The engine doesn't sound like it's trying to start at all, half the time there is no sound at all, and the other times it's a very subtle low "hum" sound.

Eventually the car always starts, though.

Anyone have any idea what this sounds like?

Just becuase lights are on doesn't necessarily rule out battery issues. Have your battery and alternator tested (for free) at an auto part store such as AutoZone or O'Reilly's. Also ensure that the battery terminals are not corroded and that they are tight.

Post your results and I will follow up.

Does the car not start when it's cold outside? Then finally turns on? It's the ignition switch.

my vehicle wont start in the morning when it is cold. but when i put the heater in there for a bit it starts right up. Could it be a sensor or something?

When it doesn't start does it crank for a second then stop cranking?Is the security light on when it doesn't start?

No it doesnt even crank or make any noise at all. its until i put the space heater in there for a bit that it starts.

It sound's like a bad ignition switch Go to a place that can read your body control module code's if you have a B2960 and or a B3033 then you need to replace the ignition switch.Real common for that car there easy to change.

I have a Saturn Ion, 2006. Sometimes it won't start. Then I go out a couple of hrs. later and it starts. Then it starts fine for 2wks or more, and then I go out one day and it doesn't start. I had this problem 2yrs ago. Saturn fixed it for free, because they said these Ion had this problem on their computer boards? Now, no more saturn dealers. I have to take to Pepboys. Want them to know about this. Can you help?

When it doesn't start does the security light stay on solid or flash?If so have them scan your body control module for codes if you have a code B2960 and or B3033 then you need to have them replace the ignition switch pretty common on those car's.

i have had my saturn since march 2008. i have never had trouble with it starting til winter started. and then only in the mornings. when i turn the key nothing happens no sounds no clicking no evidnece that the engine is even trying to start. this does not happen every morning. if i try long enough it will eventually kick over and then it turns right over like nothing and runs like a dream and no matter how many times after that i start it and stop it will turn over everytime after that. the only other way i can describe what happens when it doesn't start is if i were to try to start it with out the clutch in. nothing. other mornings and more often than not it starts right up.

try this,Engine does Not Crank - Starter Solenoid Does Not Click - Monitor Ignition Accessory Voltage - keywords DTC DTCs no start On rare occasions, the ECM may not command the starter relay on, resulting in an engine no crank concern with no DTCs. When in the crank position during the concern, the Starter Relay Command on the Tech 2 will display "Off" even though the Crank Request Signal displays "Yes".

Recommendation/Instructions:
If the SI diagnostics do not isolate the cause of this concern, monitor the Ignition Accessory Signal Parameter on the Tech 2 during the concern. This parameter should display "Off" when in the crank position and "On" when in the accessory and run positions. If it reads "On" while in the crank position, monitor the accessory voltage circuit from the ignition switch to the BCM during the concern. If voltage is present on this circuit when in the crank position, inspect the circuit for a short to voltage with both ends of the circuit disconnected. If the circuit is not shorted to voltage, replace the ignition switch for evaluation.

post back if this works,or what you find.

I have an intermittent problem with starting. I have replaced the starter, fuse/relay # 38, checked fuse/relay # 28 and start /run relay and the problem still occurs occasionally. Where should i go next?

sounds like u have bad ignition switch i would have the codes check in ur body control module if u have ethier a b3033 or b2960 or both replace the ignition switch they have changed the design of that switch atleast 3 times pretty common especially in cold weather.let me know how it goes.
louie

2006 saturn ion sometimes just won't start. Turn the key and nothing. No crank or attempting to crank. No clocking. Nothing. Wait 10-20 minutes then it starts like there was never a problem. What's up?

Does the security light flash while it won't start. I can't be 100 percent sure but I recently fixed one that had a faulty ignition switch. Take it somewhere to have it scanned for codes. That should pinpoint the problem.

It sounds like Passlock is at it again, see this guide http://moontaj.com/passlock

Bad ignition switch is really common for those cars causing the no start's then start's to happen.Take it some where that can read your body control module code's.If you have a code B02960 and or B3033 then replace the ignition switch and you should be good to go.

I ran out of gas, and now it will not start.

In tank fuel pumps are cooled and lubricated by the fuel in the tank. When you run a car out of gas, it pumps a lot of air through the pump which overheats it and causes some severe wear and many times, failure when they cool off.
You will need to use a fuel pressure gauge to verify this

i have a 2006 saturn ion, every now and then it won't start, if i wait 10 minutes it starts fine what is causing my problem

So when it won't start is the security light on solid or flashing?If so most likely you have a bad ignition switch.Let me know so we can talk about it.

The security light flashes

Then you need to have your body control module scanned for code's and if you have a B2960 and or a B3033 then you have a bad ignition switch.Really common on that car.