2007 Saturn Aura dimmer mode

[Stan]

The dimmer mode works fine when dark outside. But in daylight the dash lights work about half of the time. Covering the sensor doesn't help. Thanks, Stan

[ProTech]

First of all, the dimmer will only work when the headlights are on, which is normally just at night or indoors, so that's why it seems fine at that time. The dimmer will not do anything with the dash lights during the day or when the headlights are off. You should notice that the dash lights (instrument panel and gauges) are much brighter during the daytime/headlights off.

If they are not coming on, or coming on irregularly and at different brightnesses, you could have a couple different issues going on. First, every lighting circuit goes through the Body Control Module, so that's a good starting place. There have been some known issues with the wiring to and from the BCM and the connectors themselves. More than likely it is not a dimmer switch.

Secondly, if you've got any type of aftermarket device wired into the car (alarm, remote start, radio, other lights, etc) that can be drawing down the entire circuit. If you have anything like that, you should try to remove it and see if your problem is fixed.

The absolute best way to help find an issue like this, or diagnose the BCM as the issue, is to use a scanner to watch all the lighting circuits, inputs and outputs through the BCM to pinpoint the problem area. I'm assuming you probably don't have a suitable scanner to do this, so if you can't find the issue, you may need to take it to a dealership. If you do in fact end up need a BCM, you'll have to visit the dealership anyway to have to programmed and set up.

[fc4189]

I have a 2004 Ion Redline. Nearly every morning as soon as the engine reaches normal operating temperature, when I push in the clutch to stop at an intersection, the engine dies. The revs immediately go to 0 (it does not try to idle). After doing this, I can re-start the car with no problem and it will not happen again until the next day - even if the engine cools down completely the same day. It seems to be connected to the amount of gas in the tank. This normally happens when the tank is half full or lower. It also does the same thing when I fill up the gas tank. When I start the car after filling it up, the engine refuses to idle for 15 - 25 seconds. I have replaced the EVAP solenoid in the engine compartment. I am getting two engine codes. I don't remember the "P" codes. One of them is "Bank 1 running lean" he other refers to the EVAP system, but I can't remember what it is.

[carriedi]

I would check into the evap code. If you have the wrong solenoid open or closed it will draw gas from you fuel tank. That's why filling gas affects it. It floods the engine. Next time you fill up and it doesn't start right away push the throttle all the way to the floor. That tells the computer to shut off the fuel while cranking (clear flood) If it starts up that way then it most likely is the evap problem.

[CHRIS]

Is a 2007 Saturn ion 2.2 engine the same engine as the 2.2 one in a 2007 Saturn vue And are they interchangeable? Thanks CHRIS.

[carriedi]

Wrecking yards have interchange books that can tell you what engines are interchangeable. Call a local wrecking yard.

[progers1107]

I tried to start my 2000 Saturn this morning and after I turned the key on it acted like it was going to start then all I could hear was a whinning sound. I have power. I have replaced the starter and still have the whinning sound. Help.

[carriedi]

just wondering, is the whining sound the starter spinning the engine? You may have lost compression. If the timing belt is bad or the lifter has bled down, the engine will spin but it will sound different because there is no compression when the piston comes up. have someone turn the key for you and you watch the pulleys in the front of the engine to see if they are spinning.

[carriedi]

They never got back to me. Can you describe your situation for me? Year make model engine size?
Any history and what is it doing, when does it do it?