My car close but it doesn't start and the battery light stays on

Tiny
SALLYV
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 SATURN ION
  • 2.2L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 183,000 MILES
So I have a 2004 Saturn Ion 2 and it has no crank no start I don't have any idea of what it is I've tested the alternator and it's good. I've replaced starter I've replaced the coil packs I replaced the spark plugs I have done everything that I can possibly think of the right as far as right there I just disconnected the ECM but I've also replaced the ECM on top of the coil pack I disconnected the ECM and the TCM and I'm going to see what that does but I don't know I turn my car on it wants to start but it doesn't crank over it it just shows the battery light and the oil light and it goes off and comes back on and then doesn't go off at all. I'm frustrated and about to loose my job. It all started after I replaced the starter and then the battery light came on and it didn't want to turn off along with the oil light.
Saturday, November 8th, 2025 AT 3:54 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KRAKENAUTO
  • MECHANIC
  • 69 POSTS
How old is the battery? Is it a known good battery. Have you tried jump starting it. Disconnecting the ECM and TCM will not let it start or run, they are needed to operate the vehicle. Some starters have a ground strap also, so did you ensure everything was installed back in place as it was removed when you did the starter?
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Sunday, November 9th, 2025 AT 6:48 AM
Tiny
SALLYV
  • MEMBER
  • 4 POSTS
Yes I did and I also have a brand new battery in it and it still has the battery light coming on. I only disconnected the TCM and the ECM too see if it would reset itself. And the light still seems too come back on. I have not the slightest idea what or too go too do next. I lost.
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Sunday, November 9th, 2025 AT 7:37 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 15,233 POSTS
When does the battery light come on? You say it doesn't start or run so the light should be on as it simply tells you that the alternator is charging while the engine is running, if the engine isn't running it will be on and just means that the light works. Alternator also doesn't matter in a no crank no start. Coils, plugs are the same. If you turn the key and nothing happens those are not the problem, From the description it sounds like there is a bad battery connection to the starter or ground (both very common) or the ignition key signal to the starter is faulty.
So why did you replace the original starter? You came out one day and it did nothing? If you turn the lights on high beam and turn the blower on high with the key on, do they work? What do they do if you turn the key? If the starter is getting power they should dim a bit, I suspect they do nothing. Unfortunately our image posting isn't operational or I would post the wiring diagram showing the wires to test. But there are a few things to test, turn the key and listen to the starter, do you hear it click? Now hold the brake and shift to neutral and try it, any change? If yes then it could be the neutral switch. Nothing? Go to the starter and remove the small wire that went on the solenoid, connect a test light or a volt meter between it and a good ground, turn the key, does the meter show battery voltage or the light come on? If no use the light and check that you have battery power at the starter solenoid large cable, if not the cable is bad. Test the ground cable as well, use a meter between the battery negative terminal and a good ground on the engine block, ideally you shouldn't see any voltage if the connection is good, but up to about point .25 Volt is common. Any higher, clean both connections on the ground cable.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/starter-not-working-repair
https://www.2carpros.com/articles/everything-goes-dead-when-engine-is-cranked
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Sunday, November 9th, 2025 AT 8:50 AM

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