Saturn ion 2006 speedometer & transmision not shifting

Looks like you will need to change the key and cylinder (lock assembly).

The ignition went bad in my 2006 Saturn Ion a couple of years ago. Luckily I have the manual transmission so I choked the engine to stop it. I called my local Saturn dealership and was advised the the ignitions are going bad on them, but not enough have been reported for them to actually recall the part. I ended up having to have the entire ignition replaced and rekeyed to match my original key. I do suggest taking it to a GM dealership to do it, the mechanic I took mine to spent 3 days alone trying to program the new ignition into the car, and killed my battery numerous times in the process. Hope this helps. :)

get a new ignition lock cylinder. they usually have simple instructions with them on how to replace

I have 2003 Saturn Ion. I had this problem over and over 2006 - 2008. IT IS THE IGNITION SWITCH. IT IS DEFECTIVE IN ALL ION'S.The replacement may be defective also, not sure. Mine was driving fine, went ino store for 1 hr came out stone cold dead, would not start and key **** in. Had to have towed to Saturn. They said it was battery and replaced battery.I said this did not make sense. 6 yr battery only 3 yr old , never weak start, never run down, in summer? It happened again 2 mo later. They tried to say battery , I said no. They checked battery. It was fine. Could not find problem. They did total electrical check. It happened again 1 mo later. drove into feed store. Went in came out it happened again. I got jump from someone 30 min later and started right up. 2 wks later same, I got jump 20 min later started. 1 mo late same. Sometimes it would just start up. Took to another Saturn place. They said Ignition switch, saturn was having big problem with this on Ions. Got changed and no problems for 1 yr. I was talking to repesentative at Saturn Headquarters. I told the problem. They said the ignition switch has an electrical component, or it is hooked to electrical component. THEY SAID IF I HAD JUST SAT THERE 20 MIN WITH KEY OFF, THE COMPUTER CHIP FOR IT WOULD HAVE RESET ITSELF WHEN IT COOLED DOWN AND I COULD HAVE STARTED IT EACH TIME. IT WAS BEST TO GET REPLACED AND NOT WORRY, BUT THIS WILL HELP YOU IN A STRESSFUL PINCH, UNTIL YOU CAN GET THE IGNITION SWITCH REPLACED. NOTE: Go to Auto Zone , O 'Reilleys, Pep Boys etc, get a repair manuel , CHILTON $ 23- $ 25 , for your year , make, model car. CHILTON IS MUCH BETTER THAN HAYES MANUEL. It is wonderful and many things you can do yourself.

Well, the first answer is right but doesn't solve the problem and the second answer is wrong as the battery is in the trunk.

Just had the exact same problem. Battery dead on 2005 ion due to head lights left on which causes the key to stick in ignition.

Could not get to the battery in trunk because key stuck and power trunk switch also dead (no battery power, catch 22).

Solution: I hooked up a battery charger to the positive terminal under the hood by the fuse box and the negative to the engine block and charged it for 20 minutes. You could also jump it using the same terminals.

This is a very common problem with the Saturn. It's a bad ignition switch. You need to replace it.

Google on common saturn problems and you'll see that hundred of Saturn owners have had this very problem.

It's really amusing how each dealer prances around it and doesn't tell their customers that it's a common problem. If you bring it to them they will know right away what the problem is but they may pretend not to know right away...EVERY Saturn dealer has fixed this on dozens and dozens of their vehicles...

you need a new ignition for sure

i would suggest checking the fuses to see if an accessory fuse has burned. The box with the fuses is under the dash on the driver's side, but there is a chance this system's fuse could be in the fuse box under the hood by the battery.

Hope this helps,
matt

there a battery peg under the hood so you can jump it

You need a code to enable your radio. Happens every time the battery is dead or disconnected. Contact a Saturn rep.