# 2005 Saturn Ion - Limp mode activated, next step?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** saturn\
**Created:** [December 26, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145 "2022-12-26T21:25:43Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Maaconorth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/3be4f8/32.png) [@Maaconorth](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Maaconorth)\
**Post date:** [December 26, 2022, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145/1 "2022-12-26T21:25:43Z")

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dash light to the far right comes on car went to limp mode whats wrong

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**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\
**Post date:** [December 26, 2022, 10:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145/2 "2022-12-26T22:25:38Z")

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Well, I cannot see it from here but that is probably your check engine light.  
The first link will give you the lights and meanings. the second video link could be a solution to the problem. but your vehicle should really be scanned for check engine light codes to help find the exact problem. most Autopart’s stores will scan codes for free.

[Saturn Warning Lights and Symbols | DashboardSymbols.com](https://dashboardsymbols.com/2019/06/saturn-warning-lights-and-symbols/)

[GM Low Power Mode, Limp Mode, Saturn Ion, Cobalt - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ODx0kYybXOw)

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**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2022, 2:30pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145/3 "2022-12-27T14:30:35Z")

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> [@Maaconorth](#):
>
> dash light to the far right comes on car went to limp mode whats wrong

You didn’t put a “For Sale” sign in the window soon enough.

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**Author:** ![eddo](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/eddo/32/2594_2.png) [@eddo](https://community.cartalk.com/u/eddo)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2022, 3:24pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145/4 "2022-12-27T15:24:26Z")

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what’s next? Get it fixed or junk it. Your call.

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**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\
**Post date:** [December 27, 2022, 10:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/2005-saturn-ion-limp-mode-activated-next-step/188145/5 "2022-12-27T22:28:46Z")

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When the check engine light turns on, that just tells you the car’s computer has detected a problem of some sort. Could be one of a hundred different possibilities. No need to guess , the car’s computer will gladly tell you which of the hundred it is, just by asking. Requires a special instrument shops have called a “scan tool”. Some diy’ers buy one of these tools for their personal use as well. A basic function scan tool is not overly expensive. Once you know the diagnostic code(s) numbers, post them here and you’ll get some ideas.

Without the info provided by the scan tool, it is sort of like trying to fix your lawnmower without having a wrench or screwdriver, not practical.