The last two days it took me 10 minutes to start it, temp in the teens. This morning started right up, lots of snow but temp in lower 20s. Never did get around to cutting that wire but I am seeing my mechanic today and will show him your suggestion. I had gone thru the fixes of using a lighter to heat the key, and while it would eventually work it would be nice to have a more permanent solution. I am on my third starter in 6 years, one replaced by Saturn (I have a 04 Ion). Thanks for the info.

That could have been me the last two winters in Chicago. Now they say to cut the white wire to the Passlock. Go figure, heating up the key seemed to help. Just happened to me on a cool morning in JULY. I feel your pain.

There are lots of videos on here showing how to replace the ignition (or part of it), that houses a grease that on the originals is problematic in low temperatures. If you get an after-market replacement one and install that you will be fine. You definitely need to remove the air bag fuse before diving into this project though. I had not heard of just replacing the grease in the ignition before. Maybe there's a video illustrating that too.

This worked for me about 85% of the time. The dealer told me it would cost $1400 to fix, but I fixed it for only $1.19 & 3 q-tips. I took the ignition switch out, cleaned it, replaced the dialetic grease, and never had a problem again. The reason the heating works is because the grease inside the ignition switch freezes at about 40 degrees, and if you heat your key and let it radiate and thaw the grease, it MIGHT work. A temporary fix only, the cleaning is the real fix.

brotha i feel you on this man about the job and everything. these jobs are so strict now. my job has a point system. if you get over 6 points u out of a job. thats being late or being out of work even if u have a legit excuse. 365 days in a year. anything can happen. not with that said my 2001 l300 saturn want start in hot weather. these cars have alot of defects im starting to find out about. for all you new car buyers do research on your car before you buy it. it wil save u time n grief

I've had the same problem with my saturn ion also. It's a factory problem. my local GM deal refuses to work on a saturn. I just turn the key now, wait about 5 min then start it.

Cutting the wire only tricks the car into working by causeing a failed diagnostic in the BCM (computer), and only if you cut it after taking out the airbag fuse, and while it's running. Otherwise it will kill the car until you fix it and have a dealer reset the BCM. It's a ducttape fix. Clean out the ignition switch that wire goes into and put in new grease and I've never had another issue with it starting since.

heating the key on hind sight did NOT do the trick the system. Security system issue, the dealer replaced the ignition switch for $140. Demand a new key as you may have stripped yours, if not you may find yourself looking for a new key months later. It appears that gm or saturn has their wires crossed on key prices, quoted 40 dollars, then 24, paid 8.

The replacement part they use, that costs that, still has the same issue inside it. If you get an aftermarket one, it will cost about five dollars more, but it won't have the same crappy grease that freezes. Saturn's replacement will start having problems in about two years. mark my words.

Dude, the 10 minutes that you waited reset the passlock system, you did not need to heat your key. If anyone sees this, look up the video on "cutting the white wire" this technique shows you how to disable the passlock system and never have this problem again.

Buy a new ignition switch at pep boys for your model and replace it. Costs around $15-$20 and is easy to replace. Been two weeks so far with the new one and hasn't gave me any problems since.

yeah, that's cause it isn't the starter, it's the ignition switch. once you open it up you will never doubt me again. It's pretty obvious how bad it gets.

@gloverage Hey, does the key thing really do the trick?? They aren't cheap. It makes more sence than the rest of the fixes, and now I'm have a hard time taking it out of PArk after it starts. Aparently that is another trick of the security system.

OMG i hate my saturn ion not only have i delt with blinker light working when it wants to now i dealing with the car lock symbol is showing on my dash and my car wont start no life to it at all...

I have an 04 saturn Ion, shit did that to me today and I was late for work. I was pissed because my phone wouldn't work, but it took me 30 minutes to get it to start. -_-

saturn will fix it.. They charge 120-140$ and you'll never have the problem again