2003 Saturn Ion 2003 Saturn Ion 4cyl Auto DOHC Front Wheel

BIGROB5267

MEMBER
2003 SATURN ION
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
140,000 MILES

Ok So I have a mind boggler, I pray you can help! My saturn just recently started having problems. Its lagging. I can push the gas to the floor and get no power, then it will randomly kick in. It has the worst problems when at cruising speeds. I took it to a mechanic who said that It was my transmission he was positive. Took it to a transmission specialist, they told me that it was fine, good as new, that my problem was with my engine performance. I then took it to a different mechanic and he called me before working on it and said that he wasnt sure it was the cause of the problem but my spark plugs were shot and my fuel filter needed replacing. I had him do that. He then called and told me that the car was running better, but the problem was still present. My fuel pump was tested and is fine. He said that the car is stuck in "open loop". He said my sensors were good and my computer wasnt getting a bad reading, my engine temp is also within the expected range. He could not give me an explanation on why this is. Im looking for some insight. PLEASE HELP!

2 Replies

SATURNTECH9

MECHANIC
30,869 POSTS

First of all thank you so much for your donation. The 2003 ion's had problem's with there transmission's. Three main problem's one there valve body's two there transmission programing they needed a software update in there transmission computer and there transmission learned in after the programing. Third was some of the torque convertor bolt's didn't have washer's on them and that made them too long so they damaged the torque convertor's and eventually took out the transmission. So do you have any code's I would think you would since they told you your car only runs in Open loop. When you have transmission problem's on those car's like I talked about it usually never set's code's for it. When it has a lack of power is is when hot only?Also has the car ever not shifted to the higher gear till you let up on the gas?Go to a auto part's store and have them scan the car for code's if any come's up then let me know the number's.