2004 Saturn Ion Level3 Will Start After Reading Several Things On This Site

Also i have had a remote start on this car for over a year now with no trouble til now.

The pass lock system is the anti theft system the car came with to prevent people from stealing your car.The most common reason for the no start with the security light on and no starts on that car is a bad ignition switch.The body control module is the computer that runs your power locks keyless entry dome light stores the mileage etc.As far as checking that for codes you would have to get a repair shop with a advanced scan tool to see what codes you had a diyer scan tool cant read the body control module.If you have a code B2960 and or B3033 in the body control module then you have a bad ignition switch.There easy to replace and cheap to buy also for the lights check to see if the coolant level is low for the coolant light for the power steering light does your power steering work?

The power steering does work with no trouble ever, but I have read on here about a recall for the power steering on this model. I have two keys for this car, one is very difficult to turn in the ignition and the other works after 2 or 3 tries. Could this be because of the ignition switch being bad? Coolent level is completely full.

Not turning thats the key cylinder not ignition switch for that i would try having a new key made from the vin number at the dealer not having the the old key copied.If that doesnt work then.you will need a new key cylinder.Also with the steering recall your thinking of the symptoms are a sudden loss of power steering while driving.You need to have your power steering control module scanned for codes which again a diyer scan tool cant read.Your best bet is to have the whole car scanned for codes and write down all the codes you the exact code numbers you have not code descriptions and let me know what they are.

OK Thanks. I will have it scanned and get back to you.

Alright keep me posted.

Can you recomend any certain tools I will need to take out the ignition switch? I can't tell what screws are in it and can't get to them.

Have you gotten the ignition shroud off yet?If so i thinks a torx 20 it could be 25 its been a couple years since i have changed them.You can get a 1/4" drive torx socket and use your hand to spin the socket and or some needle nose pliers.

OK, I have put in the new ignition switch, did thge steps to relearn the pass code, the security light does not stay on anymore, but the car still does nothing when you turn the key to start it.

So did you replace the switch?

Yes, new switch is in. I did the steps to relearn the pass code. The security light does not blink or stay on any more, but it still does nothing when I try to start it. I read somewhere about a fuse on a little wire to positive battery terminal but couldnt find it. I am stumped now.

So you did three complete cycles without turning the key of in between each cycle before the security light went out?So did you have the code B2960 and or B3033 in the body control module?

Actually I turned the key to the off position between cycles, I thought that was what I was supose to do. I will try again tonight when I get off work. I didnt get it scanned because I have no way to get the car to the shop.

Let me know what happens.

Now when I put the key in and turn it to on the security light just goes off. I cant get it to blink like before. I dissconected the switch and then reconnected it but it still wont blink like before....seems as if it is already programmed or something. Do you think I did it correctly and there is just something else wrong?

Try reinstalling the old switch and see if the security light comes on then?

I reinstalled the old switch and the light did not stay on but the car still didn't start. I took the car to a shop and they said I needed a new and improved special ignition switch that was updated more than the one I bought at AutoZone. They are charging me $340 to install it and program it. They said It was programing that I couldn't do m yself....yeah right, but what else can I do.

A new and improved special switch lol first i have heard of those i have used those auto zone switches in those cars and there still working years later.The ac delco switches are down to 18 on amazon.You must have missed a step on the pass lock learn thats the only programing i do when replacing the switches.

Yeah I figure I messed up some how on relearning the switch, but I did it 4 times with no luck. I am just gonna let them guage me with the outraguose $340 charge. Thanks for all your help though, I really appreciate it. Do you have any idea on why my trunk will no longer release with the remote or the button in the car? I have to use the key every time.

Do you have a multi meter to do some testing?

I think I can get one.

Let me know when you get the car back and get a multi meter and we will figure out whats going on with trunk release.Could be as simple as a trunk release solenoid.

OK thank you.

Your welcome that's what were here for.

Open it with the key and there will be a little switch near the latch inside the trunk,the switch sometimes gets moved to the locked position,this has happened to me about 3 times.

Thats the valet switch to disable the trunk release it totally slipped my mind thanks for adding that.