Saab 9-5 1999 ACC Fault

[Scrooge]

I have a fault on my 9-5 2.3t SE ACC system.

The fault number is 19 but what does this mean and is it expensive?

Cheers

S

[Nick_F]

There might be a list of fault codes in the Haynes manual, or you could try phoning a SAAB dealer and asking - alternatively try saabcentral, lots of clued-up bods there.

Nick.

[davidy]

Can't find any fault codes listed in the Haynes manual, you could try:-

Either ringing a local dealer or posting a message on www.saabscene.co.uk/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi

davidy

[LongQ]

www.saab9-5.com/faq_acc.htm

This may help.

[Scrooge]

Thanks for the links.

But I've also noticed that the "check engine" light stays on before the car is started. All the other lights go out after 3 seconds but not the check engine one.

As soon as the engine is started it goes out though?

Do you think the two are linked?

S

[NiceCupOfTea]

Not sure - it still goes out though doesn't it?

Sometimes my CE light takes a few secs to go out, brake/ABS lights sometimes take a minute or so, but then my car is a 30 year old design

Try ringing a friendly independant for the code?

[LongQ]

Scrooge said:

Thanks for the links. But I've also noticed that the "check engine" light stays on before the car is started. All the other lights go out after 3 seconds but not the check engine one. As soon as the engine is started it goes out though? Do you think the two are linked? S

I don't think I have come across an engine check system which decides everything is OK before the thing is running and oil pressure has been checked for a couple of seconds and so on.

Electrical checks on lights and ACC do not require require a running engine and other faults with ACC may be annoying but are unlikely to be damaging or dangerous and so are not important to report immediately on start up.

Mine seems to have a slow coolant loss - possibly a leak from somewhere around the water pump. On my donwhill drive the float thinks the reservoir is empty sometimes and the warning stays displayed. Stop on level ground, switch off and then switch on again and all will be well. (Or top up the water having carefully ascertained all the circumstances and that there was indeed collant in place!)

[Scrooge]

Well I've had the car in to a Saab dealer and fault 19 transpires to be a faulty air con compressor unit.

They reckon near on a grand to fit a new one

Does this sound about right?

The car has only done 30k - I thought Saabs were built well?

[NiceCupOfTea]

Compressors are expensive, especially at main stealer prices.

Get thee to a decent independant and get it done for a fraction of the price you may even be able to get a recon unit. As far as warranty goes, I reckon it should be ok. If the gearbox goes for example they can hardly blame aircon work. It's not much more compliated than regassing the system, in which case they might as well try to tell you that filling with fuel invalidates the warranty

My standard recommendation : West Midlands Saab Specialists will see you right for a decent price

[LongQ]

Scrooge said:

Well I've had the car in to a Saab dealer and fault 19 transpires to be a faulty air con compressor unit. They reckon near on a grand to fit a new one Does this sound about right? The car has only done 30k - I thought Saabs were built well?

Pricewise - probably about par for the course. Aircon is an expensive item but as previously mentioned independents are likely to be considerably cheaper.

Aircon is an age and usage related product - if it is not used regularly and not serviced regularly things can go wrong in a short time. And then sometimes they just fail.

Worth getting a second opinion. Some thord party people will do a free check for you. Don't know where you are but I found one very helpful outfit in Woking when my Omega aircon gave up 2 years ago.