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2003 Saturn Ion 3 won't start for about 15 minutes


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anndruu12
New User

Feb 8, 2013, 2:30 PM

Post #1 of 3 (2974 views)
2003 Saturn Ion 3 won't start for about 15 minutes Sign In

Vehicle: 2003 Saturn Ion 3.
2.2L 4-cyl engine.
Approx. 130,000 miles.

The problem I am having with my vehicle is a starting problem. Randomly, when I go to start the car, the engine will try to turn over once and then nothing. If I turn the key off, and try to start it again right after, I get nothing. I get power, but no engine turn or anything. From there, if I try to start the car 5 or so minutes later, it will try and turn over several times, and then nothing again. Wait another 5 or so minutes, it will turn over and start, but then die immediately. Another couple minutes, it will start and be fine.

Once the vehicle has started, I never have any issues of the engine dying while I am moving. The problem only exists when I am starting the car. The problem also happens randomly. I can go 5 months without ever having an issue, or it can happen twice a day for a month. It seems to me, that the problem is a little bit worse when the weather is cold.

I have replaced the battery twice, as well as the ignition. Neither did anything for the problem. I have tried pumping the gas a little bit before or while I start the vehicle, and that doesn't seem to help. I am scared to take the vehicle to an auto shop and give them free reign to look around because i'm new to the area and don't have a trustworthy mechanic yet that I know won't gouge me. It has never gotten to the point of needing a jump or tow. If I wait the problem out about 15 minutes, usually it will start fine and I can be on my way, but it is a major inconvenience. Any help would be greatly appreciated!


MarineGrunt
Enthusiast
MarineGrunt profile image

Feb 8, 2013, 2:57 PM

Post #2 of 3 (2949 views)
Re: 2003 Saturn Ion 3 won't start for about 15 minutes Sign In

This is courtesy of Hammer Time.


If you own a vehicle built from the mid 80's on, it will be fuel injected. If you need to diagnose a starting problem with this vehicle, here is what you need to do before asking us for diagnosis help.



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.



This will only work when it's not starting so be sure to do it during that 15 minutes when it won't start. Once it starts everything will probably check out. Once you figure out what is dropping out let the forum know and then you can narrow it down from there.

Have you had the engine scanned for any stored codes?


(This post was edited by MarineGrunt on Feb 8, 2013, 3:00 PM)


nickwarner
Veteran / Moderator
nickwarner profile image

Feb 8, 2013, 5:08 PM

Post #3 of 3 (2913 views)
Re: 2003 Saturn Ion 3 won't start for about 15 minutes Sign In

MG, I think this guy is describing an intermittent no-crank.

You need to first verify that your battery cable connections are clean, shiny and tight. GM side post terminals are bad about holding corrosion inside them and need to be verified clean with a battery that passes a load test. Then you will need to do a voltage drop tests on your power and ground cables.






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