My Saturn Ion 2004 power steering light is coming on, also making knocking sound, is it covered by GM recall still.

Bruce Bracey

• 1000 Answers
• Posted on Feb 18, 2009

SOURCE: 2004 SATURN ION POWER STEERING COLUMN

The C0474 code refers to a steering angle sensor located at or near the base of the steering column. Check where the steering column goes through the front of dash and verify the connector is fully seated and locked.
The sensor gets its voltage from the ABS module.
Let me know if it is clean, locked and seated. Make sure there are no pushed out or bent terminals on the connector.
Check this first and we can go from there.
regards,

SOURCE: power steering

Should be a cap under the hood that says power steering fluid

SOURCE: 2004 Saturn Ion - Power Steering Problem

The motor on the power steering is overheating which causes the thermal overloads to trip.

go tho the junk yard and buy a motor for a 2004 thru 206 ion or a 2004 thru 2008 chevy colbalt.

they are all the same. You may have to buy the wholle steering colum but you can remove the motor with 2 - 12mm bolts and a quick dissconnect pulg. Replace just the motor as the whole steering colum is a bit more complicated. the dealerships want you to replace the whoe steering colum, in fact that is the only way they sell the parts. It is a scam. Just the motor needs to be replaced.
I have done it on 4 different ions. try to get a motor with few as possible miles and as new as possible. I have paid between $50 and $125 for these. The dealer wants $900 fnad about $500 to install. It is very simple to do. Only 2 bolts.

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Mike Butler

• 6674 Answers
• Posted on Aug 28, 2009

SOURCE: Power steering/cold morning car wont start

Here's a few technical service bulletins regarding what your experiencing. Best part is that Saturn has sent this many technical service bulletins to the dealers, but fail to acknowledge they have a problem, that they should fix, free of charge. I believe this is the year they started or redesigned electronic steering system, and we all know what happens first year out. Sorry I don't have an answer on what you should do, but I would definitely call Saturn owner relations and quote some of those bulletins listed at the link, just to see if any retribution is offered. Owner relations number should be in manual. Good Luck & keep us posted.
http://www.allworldauto.com/tsbs/2004_SATURN_ION_tsbs_c142-10512-2004-23-1.html

SOURCE: 2005 ion power steering problem

remove electronic power steering (EPS) motor. remove the 4 bolts that hold on the motor housing. remove the housing. using a tooth brush, clean out the 'brush' dust from between the commutators. don't use cleaner spray as you might degrease the bearings. don't use anything metal to clean out the dust you might scratch or nick the commutators.

this solution has worked for over 500 miles for me. I'll keep you posted.