So I have had this issue for a few years, but this year it has gotten really bad and I am about to miss another university class due to it.

I have a 2005 Saturn Ion 2 Sedan with a Manual and a few years back I had just a basic lock/unlock with a siren installed on my car. Ever since then from time to time I get a flashing light on my dash that looks like a car with a lock around it. When its flashing I can not start my car. I have tried to disconnect the battery hoping it would reset it but that didn't work. Anyone know what could be causing this? I really don't want to get a new alarm installed but I will if I need to. I also do not want to go to a shop without any idea and get bent over or have parts installed that I do not need. I was told be one place I needed to get a whole new alarm installed PLUS remote start to solve the problem. I won't need remote start after this year as I will no longer be driving the car in the winter.

Any information would be great. I have a feeling the unit is just old and needs to be replaced, but...

 

The light flashing in your dash is the vehicles factory alarm signal. Try a different key as maybe the lock is not reading the chip in your key. Also check your fuses... I recently had my coil pack fail and when I tried to code read it said I didn't have the key on (which I did)... no power to the testing port, would turn over but not start and the alarm dash light blinked fast, no fuel pump sound.

Turned out to be a fuse under the hood was blown from the bad coil pack and it also controlled all the other features...

Not sure if this is your issue, but gives you something to try.... good luck. Maybe get your hands on a code reader.

Could also be your starter cut for your alarm...

 

I know someone who had this similar problem,
what she has to do, is get in, close the doors, put key in ignition, turn to run(not start), and wait for the light to go out, then it starts everytime...I asked her what the hell the purpose was, Saturn told her to do it this way, and she hasn't had a problem since..

 

Might be taking longer to read the key.

 

try unlocking with the fob as usual to disarm the aftermarket alarm
then use the key in the door cylinder to "unlock" the doors.

i have a feeling that the aftermarket alarm is no longer disarming the factory alarm.

either that or

you have a passlock issue, which will need to be taken care of at the daeler

 

i had an 01 sl1, and the computer went retarded one day and went into lock out mode or somthing, bunch of crap i dont care for much so i just changed it lol(cant beat being friends with the guys who own the wreckers lol)