Top 10 2003 Saturn ION Questions & Answers

I have a 2005 Ion that had been displaying the "coolant" message for quite some time. The car runs perfectly, never overheats and the coolant bottle is always full to the "cold fill level" line when cold and slightly higher than that when hot due to the expansion of the fluid. (all completely normal) I had a strong feeling that the coolant level sensor in the coolant bottle was bad and had read about how it needed to be replaced by a tech and all but I wonderred if there was a way to defeat the sensor since I check my levels all the time anyway because the sensor was really just giving false info anyway. I couldn't find a tread involving a Saturn that talked about a solution other than having a tech charge me lots of money to replace the whole bottle. I found a way to bypass the sensor for a BMW though and thought I would try it. It worked perfectly. I plan on replacing the bottle eventually but right now money is tight and I don't need the sensor to tell me what my own eyes and my car's temperature gauge can tell me for now. Here's how you do it.

1. Unplug the sensor harness from the bottom of the coolant bottle.

2. Find a large paper clip and use needle nose plyers to make a "staple" shaped jumper that is about 1/4 inch wide (about the distance between the two contacts on the harness) and about 3/8 inch long.

3. push the jumper you just made into the end of the harness connector.

4. Start your car and ensure that the warning is no longer displaying. You can also insert the jumper while the car is running (be careful, the coolant bottle will be hot) because the harness is removed from the sensor the coolant warning should already be displayed. When you insert the jumper the message should go away imediately. The coolant level sensor has only one job and that is to tell the computer when coolant is low so you don't have to worry that you may be causing any other problems by doing this. If the coolant light doesn't go away you may have a break in the wire somwhere or a bad connection to the jumper.

5. If all works well, use electrical tape to seal up the end of the harness so moisture doesn't get in. Also it's a good idea to secure the harness to something nearby so that it doesn't flop around when you are driving.

All done. Sorry this was long but I hope that it helps someone. That warning really has been irritating me.

Keep in mind that this method does disable a key safety device that is designed (poorly) to warn you in the even of a coolant leak. Keep an eye on your temperature gauge and check your coolant level regularly. Get the bottle replaced when you can.

I have a 2006 Saturn Ion. There are two torque bars in the trunk. One has the insulation on it and the other comes without insulation. Using a bungee cord, I hooked one end above my license plate in a gap and the other end I just stretched until it reached my back door and I shut the door on it. That is how I held the trunk up. Next, I took the rod without the insulation and put the rounded loop part of the bar to the right of the trunk. I rested the other end of the bar that has the squared loop in the middle slit toward the left side of the trunk. I then used one hand to lower the trunk a little to get the right end in place easier. There is the very end of the bar on the right side of the trunk that goes in the slit on the roof of the trunk, the rounded loop that goes under that hook on the bar of the trunk, and just to the left of that loop where the rounded part becomes straight again that goes on the upper most slit just under the roof of the trunk. After all that is in place, go to the left side of the trunk near the three slits and push up as hard as you can to get the left part of the bar to rest on the lower slit and then you\'re snapped in. Repeat for the piece with the insulation on it but reverse what I said about right and left side. You have to install the pieces in that particular order or it won\'t work out. You might say Jesus Christ a few times too but have patience. It is worth it.

lower settings as far as speeds for your blower motor go through a resister block to reduce the voltage your blower motor receives to make it turn slower. If it turns slow on high you would have to check the voltage at the blower motor, should be the same voltage that would be at the battery. There could also be material in the blower motor fan like things a mouse could have put there. Causes the fan to spin slower and also blocks the fins from pushing air. Any strange noises would be heard unless you have had the prob since you owned it and could not detect any changes. It could be even full of stuff and still
be in balance. but it could be a few other things.

The fix for this problem is well known, so is the cause. GM needs to step up in my opinion. You can fix it yourself if you're willing

http://moontaj.com/passlock

yes it could be a fuse or a bulb, if a bulb is out they wont work, check your fuses cause i am sure thats it

I worked at saturn dealer for 18yrs.Those auto hvac heads are a weak link on the L-Series.But I have to say the BCM's are totally junk!! But if it was me I would go with the BCM because you can get a used HVAC head from junk yard but the BCM has to be new because it has to be flashed.If It was me I would try to get a used hvac control from salvage yard.Also yo might want to get a 2nd opinion because those L-Series cars are all bad for Compressor concerns.Hope this helps

MIGHT BE IN TRUNK UNDER SPARE TIRE COVER G5 IS IN THE SAME PLACE,CAN'T HURT TO LOOK.

When the Passlock system is activated, the security light flashes on the instrument panel. The engine cannot be started until the system resets. If the Passlock system does not automatically reset, it can be reset manually.

Try this procedure as follows: --- to reset:--

First turn the ignition key to the "Start" position. Then after 2 to 3 seconds turn the ignition key to the "Run" position. Then leave the key in this position for 10 minutes. The security light will stop flashing.Start the engine as soon as the security light stops flashing and remains on. The Pass lock system resets and the engine starts normally.

If its not helping then disconnect the negative battery cable for 15 minutes then reconnect and see if that is helping out.-------

-------------------If this reset procedure is not helping then:---

There are many other users facing this problem in same car.There is a service bulletin for this problem,that is released by Saturn.The bulletin says as follows:-----

Condition
Some customers may comment that their vehicle will not start. This comment is referred to as 'no crank, no start with complete power.'

Additional customer comments may be as follows:

- A clicking noise may be noticed when the key is first turned to the START position, but no noise is heard after the initial start attempt.
- The 'Security' light may flash immediately after trying to start the car along with the message 'Service Vehicle' in the Driver Information Center.
- The vehicle may not start for at least 10 minutes after the first attempt to start the vehicle. Diagnostic trouble codes (DTCs) B2960 and or B3033 may be set in history in the BCM.

Cause
When the key is rotated from RUN to START there is a voltage signal sent to the BCM that goes through the PASSLOCK resistor in the ignition switch. This voltage signal may have an early ignition switch bounce (when going from RUN to START) that the BCM interprets as a failure in the PASSLOCK system and disables the starting circuit.

Correction
Verify that the ignition switch has been replaced at least once using P/N 10392423. If the switch HAS been replaced previously with P/N 10392423 - Replace the BCM.
After replacement of the ignition switch or replacement and reprogramming of the BCM, perform the 30-Minute Learn Procedure found in Programming Theft Deterrent System Components.This procedure can be obtained by dealer.

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this should help.thanks.Helpmech.

Check for a drain hose under the hood where the evaporator is located. It's the part that houses the blower motor and where the A/C lines go into. The drain may be plugged. Also make sure it is just the A/C that is leaking water inside; the drains under the screen where the wiper motor is located frequently get clogged especially if you park under pine trees.

Hi, if you have automatic climate controls (where you can select a certain temperature), the whole system is run off the 40 amp HVAC fuse in the box under the hood.
If you have manual controls (where there is just a knob that you turn from cold to hot), the blower is run off the 30 amp RUN fuse.
In the case of manual control systems, the problem can be caused by many different parts. Please see my tip at http://www.fixya.com/cars/r6234839-doesn_t_heater_or_air_conditioner_blow . These are genericinstructions. I have pasted the specific wiring diagrams for your car below.
manual controls




auto controls: