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07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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Jdeepz
New User
Nov 19, 2020, 2:47 PM
Post #1 of 6
(1286 views)
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07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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2007
Saturn
Ion
2.2L
181,449 miles
I have issues when starting my vehicle. The signs/symptoms when starting my vehicle are as follows: Weak Start, Weak Start then engine dies, and No Crank No Start (hear consistent but not rapid clicking noise in this scenario). Issues happen more frequently in the morning during Cold Starts.
Took car to mechanic, he said he couldnt find anything wrong. Suggested a new battery so I got a new battery and I still had an issue with a weak cold start the following morning.
Any suggestions would be helpful. Also, Please let me know of any additional information I should provide and what diagnostics I could run myself with little to no mechanic equipment.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 19, 2020, 2:49 PM
Post #2 of 6
(1284 views)
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Re: 07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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Please define what you mean by a "weak" cold start. Is this a slow cranking issue or something to do with the engine actually starting?
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Jdeepz
New User
Nov 19, 2020, 10:18 PM
Post #3 of 6
(1259 views)
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Re: 07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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By weak cold start I mean when I turn the key to start the car it will take slightly longer than normal to actually start the engine, then I will hear a normal initial rev but the strength quickly drops until the engine dies. At that point I usually cannot start the car for another few hours.
I have tried to force the process by lightly tapping the pedal immediately after the initial rev, which has seemingly worked once or twice, but that is not a guaranteed workaround and I fear that doing this could cause more problems than it is worth.
My local mechanic said he checked the starter and that it seemed fine to him. I have no problem checking myself as long as it is easy enough to do for a person with decent mechanical skill referencing a youtube walkthrough. And as a I said in the initial post I replaced the battery with a brand new one so that is highly unlikely to be an issue.
I am open to suggestions for any troubleshooting or diagnostics that would help you all help me diagnose the issue. Just say the word and I will do my best to provide you with more details.
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 20, 2020, 3:48 AM
Post #4 of 6
(1253 views)
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Re: 07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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OK, you said you had little to no test equipment so lets see what can be found with nothing?
Now I see you can start it, if it dies out will not start again for HOURS? That's your clue let the clicking noise you read about go for now.
Does it crank or "turn the engine" when it's totally not starting? If yes you probably lack fuel or enough pressure it would probably start with use of starting fluid.
If not familiar with that it's highly flammable (more than gas) so with all cautions. You spray that into intake even first try when expecting this but do put air intake parts back on as flame arrestors, and quickly as the starting fluid only lasts so long.
It may fire right up and stay running or not try it again.
Idea is just prove the issue is lack of fuel or lack of spark would be most reasons for a no-start problem the fuel pressure too low is more likely IMO than spark issue for now.
BTW - some equipment is rentable check for your area what is sometimes 100% free to use but full deposits for safe return or you just bought the items(s) you rented,
T
(edit) your subject line is confusing this to me. It says it is capable of "no crank" and not starting then script isn't clear so which is it?)
(This post was edited by Tom Greenleaf on Nov 20, 2020, 4:06 AM)
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Nov 20, 2020, 5:30 AM
Post #5 of 6
(1242 views)
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Re: 07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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Yes, your initial description was very confusing. Your explanation describes a "crank, no start" situation.
All "crank, no start" conditions are approached in the same way. Every engine requires certain functions to be able to run. Some of these functions rely on specific components to work and some components are part of more than one function so it is important to see the whole picture to be able to conclude anything about what may have failed. Also, these functions can ONLY be tested during the failure. Any other time and they will simply test good because the problem isn't present at the moment.
If you approach this in any other way, you are merely guessing and that only serves to replace unnecessary parts and wastes money.
Every engine requires spark, fuel and compression to run. That's what we have to look for.
These are the basics that need to be tested and will give us the info required to isolate a cause.
1) Test for spark at the plug end of the wire using a spark tester. If none found, check for power supply on the + terminal of the coil with the key on.
2) Test for injector pulse using a small bulb called a noid light. If none found, check for power supply at one side of the injector with the key on.
3) Use a fuel pressure gauge to test for correct fuel pressure, also noticing if the pressure holds when key is shut off.
4) If all of these things check good, then you would need to do a complete compression test.
Once you have determined which of these functions has dropped out,
you will know which system is having the problem.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Sidom
Veteran
/ Moderator
Nov 20, 2020, 9:44 AM
Post #6 of 6
(1233 views)
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Re: 07 Saturn Ion - No Starts, Weak Starts, and No Crank-No Starts
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Ok, it sounds like you may have a few things going on here.
It sounds like, 1 you have a long cranking time and 2 after a certain period the engine stops cranking and won't crank again until it sits for a certain period of time?
For the long crank time, try this, go out and turn the key from off to on (not cranking) about 5 or 6 times, leaving in the on position for a few seconds each time. Then try to start the car. If it starts right up, then this means the fuel pressure is bleeding off, probably a bad pump BUT you would need to diag the problem to be sure.
For the 2nd problem you will need a volt meter at a minimum and know how to do a voltage drop test. If you are unfamiliar on how to do this, google "voltage drop testing" it is actually pretty easy.
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