Another Problem!!

Another Problem!!

Author
Discussion

KnowsNothing

Original Poster:

10 posts

172 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
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Driving half hour journey home today and smelt a funny smell, then a warning telling me "Battery not charging, pull over, call service" I made it home and after searching on the net I see that it is ANOTHER very common fault on the 93.

Apparently it's the alternator.

I have seen some people saying that saab sometimes help towards cost of replacing it, does anyone have any experience of this?

Think I will be getting this fixed then moving on to another car. A reliable one hopefully!!

NiceCupOfTea

25,310 posts

258 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
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You can only ask. From your posting history I see you had a new oil cooler 6 months ago. If it's just that and the alt that's gone wrong I wouldn't worry too much, these things happen from time to time. Seem to remember having an alternator failure on a 5 year old Rover 200 a few years back. Shouldn't be too bad I'd have thought. Might be DIYable? Ask over on uksaabs.com or www.saabscene.co.uk

KnowsNothing

Original Poster:

10 posts

172 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
quotequote all
No we've had other problems, the suspension coils broke causing the tyre to burst (another common fault!) and some other bits and bobs. I can't register on Saabscene as it doesn't like my yahoo email!

I am ringing Saab tomorrow to see what they say.

Need to decide on what other diesel estate to buy!

awg454

502 posts

223 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
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Once you've replaced the alternator and you have already had the springs done my guess is you wont get to much more go,I have done nearly 100k in mine now a 2006 1.9 tdi auto (150bhp)all i have had is a alternator and a egr valve.

NiceCupOfTea

25,310 posts

258 months

Thursday 6th January 2011
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I don't know about all these "common faults" - chatting to my specialist about them in the past, they reckon the mechanicals are very solid, its the electrics that give problems.

Get it fixed and enjoy it. The alternatives are no where near as good VFM.

KnowsNothing

Original Poster:

10 posts

172 months

Friday 7th January 2011
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I like the car to drive, and its spacious and comfy, but with all the problems we've had (compared to our ancient Golf we had before) I just dont feel like I can trust it. I wanted to take the kids for drive to Italy in the summer but DP doesn't want to use that car.

Also dont like the way its so slow to pull away, apparently newer ones have 2 turbos where one cuts in as you pull away.

I have contacted Saab about them contributing to repair waiting for a reply. I cant find an actual telephone number for them so have had to email. DP is contacting garage re cost of repair.

I want a Merc, but don't think the budget will stretch, and BMWs are a bit, well, common!

NiceCupOfTea

25,310 posts

258 months

Friday 7th January 2011
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That's the rub - Saabs traditionally don't hold their money so well so are cheaper to buy second hand. It sounds like you've been unlucky - my dad didn't have a single mechanical favour with his, just a couple of electronic things with the steering lock and central locking.

What engine has your car got? The days of turbo lag off the line are long gone now with modern cars. Is it the diesel? No idea of what the performance of those is like. One of the tuning companies may do a remap that makes it better but I don't reamember hearing anything about driveability problems.

You might look at offerings from Volvo, Audi? Personally I would stick with the knowm entity. They're decent cars on the whole and you've invested money in it now...

NST

1,523 posts

250 months

Friday 7th January 2011
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KnowsNothing said:
Think I will be getting this fixed then moving on to another car. A reliable one hopefully!!
I feel for you. i'm in the same position, i like my 9-3 SC, the size, performance. The reliability and build quality just isn't good. It has become to risky to own. The dealers don't help either.

Shame really, it acutally is nice car.

NST

KnowsNothing

Original Poster:

10 posts

172 months

Friday 7th January 2011
quotequote all
My partner fixed it, we got the alternator for about £230 from Saab and he fitted it himself, still got to drive it, so havn't given him a pat on the back yet!!

It's a Vector Sport TID, 150bhp (whatever all that means)

(The man at Saab said "oh we sell loads of these" duh I wonder why!!

I want a merc a c220 cdi, but gotta persuade the other half!

NiceCupOfTea

25,310 posts

258 months

Friday 7th January 2011
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Alternator will just be a Bosch part (probably the same as on the Merc!)

Deerfoot

4,976 posts

191 months

Sunday 9th January 2011
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KnowsNothing said:
Also dont like the way its so slow to pull away,
It`s a 150bhp TDI?

Does it pick up above 2,000 rpm? I`m guessing it`s an inlet manifold swirl vane problem. My mate had the same problem on his 9-3. Saab replaced the entire inlet manifold under warranty.

I could be wrong of course........


aeropilot

36,510 posts

234 months

Saturday 15th January 2011
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Deerfoot said:
KnowsNothing said:
Also dont like the way its so slow to pull away,
It`s a 150bhp TDI?
Exactly.... smile