2004 Saturn Ion Power door locks keep randomly locking, int

Tiny
ECLYPSE3DEMONS
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN ION
  • 4 CYL
  • FWD
  • MANUAL
  • 114,000 MILES
This used to happen when it rains but now its even when its not so that may not have been the cause. Car sits doors keep locking (not unlocking) randomly even if I drive it they keep locking intermittently and sometimes multiple times in a row like someone is playing with the locks, also sometimes my interior light comes on. Drains my battery over night and I have to jump it.

Cannot set my alarm because of this, as it sets the alarm off.

I have no clue what is doing this.
Monday, November 1st, 2010 AT 6:17 PM

7 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
There is no bulletine or issue with having to shim up the front door jamb switches on the ion's that i'm aware of like there is on the vue model's.I would be looking at the rear door jamb switches I have seen issue's of water getting into the switches/wire's setting the alarm and dome light's off.
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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 1:51 PM
Tiny
ECLYPSE3DEMONS
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This is a quad cpe so there are only 2 door jambs at the front of a car. I found the problem was 1 of the switch on the driver's side was corroded and may have been damaged I have replaced both switches they were 10 dollars each. The connector on the driver's side still has a little corrosion in it I may still have to replace that but for right now they are working.

For future reference for others with the same or similar issues, if the doors only lock randomely and the inside light comes on most likely its these switches, if the doors unlock also it most likely is the door lock/unlock switches, wiring or bcm.
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Tuesday, November 2nd, 2010 AT 5:31 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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Didn't know you had a quad coupe until just now glad to hear you got it fixed though. Now you just have to find the water leak that caused the corroded switches and terminal's.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 AT 11:53 AM
Tiny
ECLYPSE3DEMONS
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  • 5 POSTS
Yeah I think the corroded plug was because to switch it failed there seem to be a lot of carbon in there. There is a lot of moisture in the car though because I could I have a leak coming in from somewhere probably my sunroof that's causing my floor to get wet from the driver side.

I confirmed that the drain plugs on sun roof were clear but I think it might be the actual seal around sun roof leaking water into the roof headliner in and down the sides of the rockers.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 AT 12:36 PM
Tiny
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If you have corroded electrical terminal's inside the car then you have water getting in somewhere. You will have to have someone run a hose over the car while you are inside looking for water coming in.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 AT 12:48 PM
Tiny
ECLYPSE3DEMONS
  • MEMBER
  • 5 POSTS
Yup I do not think its that much that I found in the connector but since there is a bit of carbon on the switch I figured its a good idea to try and clean that out or put a new end on that.

As far as water leaks go, I know two spots on my head liner that water is coming in, along the Drivers side edge starting from the seat belt to the front piller at the edge. I think its leaking down the front piller and into my carpet. The passenger side I noticed during a recent storm water collecting right were the front piller (black plastic trim) meets the headliner. I tested the drain plugs by filling up the channel in the sunroof where the plugs are, and found they were draining out the vehicle where they are supposed to. Nothing in the trunk or floors, however I did not run a hose over the entire roof to check the actual outside seal of the sunroof which would leak over the outer edge not in the channel then water would make its way to the edges.

Right now as it sits I will need to remove the entire headliner to find out the source of the leaks fully.

As far as the drivers side switch is concerned I think it just burned out, there is no sign of actual water in the dash even the metal brace is clean from rust. I think its just carbon deposits.

I read there was a bulliten regarding a leak in the door panel around the speaker that could also cause front floor water issues in the carpet. Dont know how to check that. =)

For now the most pressing issue is fixed I can set my alarm again and start the car in the mornings so I am happy.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 AT 1:53 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
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2004 Saturn ION L4-2.2L VIN F
Vehicle Level Body and Frame Technical Service Bulletins All Technical Service Bulletins Body - Water Leaks Onto Passenger Driver/Floor Area

Body - Water Leaks Onto Passenger Driver/Floor Area

Subject: Water Leaks Into Front Driver and/or Passenger Foot Wells Near Front Speaker Grill Area After Sustained Heavy Rain (Seal Speaker Drip Cover to Speaker Frame)
# 03-08-44-012A - (04/19/2006)

Models:
2003-2006 Saturn ION

This bulletin is being updated with additional model years. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 03-08-44-012 (Section 08 - Body & Accessories).

Condition

Some customers may comment that the front foot well carpet is wet after the vehicle is exposed to sustained heavy rain.

Cause

After sustained heavy rain, water may accumulate between the speaker frame and the speaker plastic drip cover. The accumulated water may wick through the lower speaker attachment bolt hole and run down the inner door panel and leak into the interior compartment under the doorsill trim plate.

Correction

Remove the drip cover from the speaker frame and apply KENT(R) HIGH TECH SEAM SEALER - CLEAR TRANSPARENT, or equivalent, to the back of the speaker frame where the drip cover contacts the speaker frame following the procedure below:

1. Remove the side front door trim panel. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Side Front Door in SI or the appropriate Saturn ION Service Manual.

2. Remove the speaker.

3. Remove the drip cover from the speaker frame by unsnapping the four locking tabs on the cover near the fastener holes.

A small flat head screwdriver may be needed to pry back the cover.

4. Apply a 1/4 in (6 mm) bead of KENT(R) HIGH TECH SEAM SEALER - CLEAR TRANSPARENT, or equivalent, around the speaker frame where the drip cover contacts the back of the speaker frame.

5. Install the drip cover to the speaker frame.

6. Install the speaker.

7. Install the side front door trim panel. Refer to Trim Panel Replacement - Side Front Door in SI or the appropriate Saturn ION Service Manual.

8. Repeat the process for the other front door.

9. If the carpet near the door speaker on either side is wet or has a musty mildew odor, or moisture is present under the carpet, pull back the carpet to allow fresh air to dry the carpet and padding. A small fan may be used to aid in the drying process.

10. Verify that the musty mildew odor is gone and the carpet is dry. If the carpet still has a musty mildew odor, refer to Eliminating Unwanted Odors in Vehicles in SI or the appropriate Saturn ION Service Manual. There's the water drips out by the speaker grill.
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Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010 AT 2:36 PM

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