Please help; Numerous niggles with 04-93
Discussion
Hi,
I wonder if anyone can help me before my wife finally demands that we sell the car ...
We've got a 2004 1.8i (non turbo) 93 which has developed a number of annoying issues over recent months.
The first is that the central locking does not always operate via the key fob, I've changed the batteries in the fobs but it made no difference, the problem seems totally intermittent but some days it simply wont open and we have to unlock the car with the key via the passenger door which triggers the alarm etc.
Secondly the drivers door has effectively ceased working electrically; the central locking doesn't work and neither does the window or mirror. I've checked the fuse to the 'door control unit' (whatever that is) but it is fine.
Another intermittent fault is when starting the car, sometimes a few seconds after starting the revs rise then drop to say 4-500 rpm, stuttering as if running way too rich, pressing the throttle whilst it's doing that does little but after say 20 or 30 seconds it sorts itself out. Related to that I suspect is a flat spot around 4000rpm; the car hesitates and does not rev freely.
We've had the front Lambda changed which frankly made no difference and the car has been to a Saab Indy twice, all they could tell was that the car was running rich.
As you can imagine the above problems are annoying, especially for my wife when she's with the kids! I really like the car as it handles / brakes well for a big car but pressure is building from the wife to either get it sorted or change it ...
Any help or pointers in respect to the above would be much appreciated as I don't want to drive to a dealer or Indy with an open cheque book!
Many Thanks!!!!!
Mike
I wonder if anyone can help me before my wife finally demands that we sell the car ...
We've got a 2004 1.8i (non turbo) 93 which has developed a number of annoying issues over recent months.
The first is that the central locking does not always operate via the key fob, I've changed the batteries in the fobs but it made no difference, the problem seems totally intermittent but some days it simply wont open and we have to unlock the car with the key via the passenger door which triggers the alarm etc.
Secondly the drivers door has effectively ceased working electrically; the central locking doesn't work and neither does the window or mirror. I've checked the fuse to the 'door control unit' (whatever that is) but it is fine.
Another intermittent fault is when starting the car, sometimes a few seconds after starting the revs rise then drop to say 4-500 rpm, stuttering as if running way too rich, pressing the throttle whilst it's doing that does little but after say 20 or 30 seconds it sorts itself out. Related to that I suspect is a flat spot around 4000rpm; the car hesitates and does not rev freely.
We've had the front Lambda changed which frankly made no difference and the car has been to a Saab Indy twice, all they could tell was that the car was running rich.
As you can imagine the above problems are annoying, especially for my wife when she's with the kids! I really like the car as it handles / brakes well for a big car but pressure is building from the wife to either get it sorted or change it ...
Any help or pointers in respect to the above would be much appreciated as I don't want to drive to a dealer or Indy with an open cheque book!
Many Thanks!!!!!
Mike
I'd suggest going here:
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php...
and asking.
Edited to add: Apologies - you already have!
http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/forumdisplay.php...
and asking.
Edited to add: Apologies - you already have!
Edited by Prof Beard on Monday 24th March 10:40
Are you sure it's non turbo?
I was under the impression that Saab hadn't sold a non turbo car since they dropped the 2.3i in 96ish?
It may be a low pressure turbo without a boost guage on the dash.
Sorry to say that your problems don't surprise me. 9-3ss biggest issues are electrical problems.
I spoke to a local Indy about this and he confirmed that mechanically they are fine but suffer from a lot of electronic niggles. My dad's had similar issues with the central locking not working intermittently, and he also had a problem with the steering lock not disengaging.
Fortunately his car was under warranty, but even so it involved a lot of trips to the main dealer who just kept replacing control units = ££££.
In the end one of the problems was solved by his Indy but of course he had to pay them, but was sick of the main dealer's faffing.
I hope you have better luck. If it's under warranty just leave it on the main dealer's forecourt. If not, find a good indy! Where are you based?
I have to say I wonder what will happen with these cars as they get older and more unreliable?
Edit: sorry, I assumed it was the newer 9-3ss! If it's the old shape (can't remember the changeover) they're not bad electrically IIRC - but find a good Indy anyway!
Edit again: I see you are in Cambs - Not too far from Two Stroke to Turbo, or if you fancy a jaunt up the M1, WMSS in Birmingham who are excellent.
I was under the impression that Saab hadn't sold a non turbo car since they dropped the 2.3i in 96ish?
It may be a low pressure turbo without a boost guage on the dash.
Sorry to say that your problems don't surprise me. 9-3ss biggest issues are electrical problems.
I spoke to a local Indy about this and he confirmed that mechanically they are fine but suffer from a lot of electronic niggles. My dad's had similar issues with the central locking not working intermittently, and he also had a problem with the steering lock not disengaging.
Fortunately his car was under warranty, but even so it involved a lot of trips to the main dealer who just kept replacing control units = ££££.
In the end one of the problems was solved by his Indy but of course he had to pay them, but was sick of the main dealer's faffing.
I hope you have better luck. If it's under warranty just leave it on the main dealer's forecourt. If not, find a good indy! Where are you based?
I have to say I wonder what will happen with these cars as they get older and more unreliable?
Edit: sorry, I assumed it was the newer 9-3ss! If it's the old shape (can't remember the changeover) they're not bad electrically IIRC - but find a good Indy anyway!
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 24th March 16:27
Edit again: I see you are in Cambs - Not too far from Two Stroke to Turbo, or if you fancy a jaunt up the M1, WMSS in Birmingham who are excellent.
Edited by NiceCupOfTea on Monday 24th March 16:28
How about SaabTech in Stevenage - they seem to get a good write up:
http://www.saabscene.com/forum/index.php?showtopic...
http://www.saabscene.com/forum/index.php?showtopic...
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