saab 9-3 vector sportwagon 150bhp 2006 limp mode fault

saab 9-3 vector sportwagon 150bhp 2006 limp mode fault

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GTS57

Original Poster:

5 posts

163 months

Sunday 24th April 2011
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saab 9-3 vector sportwagon 150bhp 2006 limp mode fault

Right i dont know where to start , I have owned this car for almost 2 years ,6 months after buying it i had the engine management light come on then car went into limp mode.I put up with the fault for almost 12 months as it is intermittent.
the car has covered 42k ,so car goes into limp mode where it seems you only have half acceleration but if you turn off the ignition and back on it is back to normal for a while but still with the engine management light on (bit awkward on motorway), occasionally the light will go out for a while but still comes back on ,
so three weeks ago i had it diagnosed at a local garage at a cost of £30.00 which i thought was ok,before the diagnostic he thought it might be either the egr valve or turbo boost valve, but after diagnostics i was told it was the particle filter in the exhaust system and a force regeneration was done again
at a really good price , it has been fine for three weeks but once again it has gone into limp mode and engine management has come back on ut still the same if you reset with ignition it is fine for a while. anyone got any other ideas?

The_Jackal

4,854 posts

204 months

Monday 25th April 2011
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1) why didnt you take it to the dealer under warranty when it first happened?
2) Unless you have a mate who knows SAABs like the back of his hand, take it to a "Non local" garage.

Why did you put up with such a major problem for soo long?

Edited by The_Jackal on Monday 25th April 01:54

GTS57

Original Poster:

5 posts

163 months

Monday 25th April 2011
quotequote all
Only had six month warranty and out by days so motorhouse didn't want to know.
so what your saying only saab can cure the problem?

GTS57

Original Poster:

5 posts

163 months

Monday 25th April 2011
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oh and thanks for the reply

DavidY

4,474 posts

291 months

Monday 25th April 2011
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Take it someone with a proper Saab Tech-2 They will be able to plug in and find the fault(s), any Saab dealer or good Saab independent will have one. The generic code readers do not show up many of the Saab diagnostics, and what usually happens is the guy scratches his head, resets the codes and then says he can't find the fault.

Where are you located, then perhaps someone can give you a garage recommendation.

BTW not all engine management lights put the car into full limp mode, depending on the severity of the fault, you may get no boost, partial boost or even full boost.

Road2Ruin

5,467 posts

223 months

Wednesday 27th April 2011
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I would check the EGR valve though, it's so easy to do and takes about 20 mins. Remove it from the engine, clean it (it WILL be filthy) and make sure the plunger goes in and out (they get stuck). Then replace. I do mine about every 8 months and it makes a difference to the performance.

GTS57

Original Poster:

5 posts

163 months

Wednesday 27th April 2011
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thanks very much for the advice i am based in Cannock staffs

DavidY

4,474 posts

291 months

Wednesday 27th April 2011
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GTS57

I use SSJ (Salop Saab and Jeep) in Shrewsbury, only 30 mins from you http://www.ssjltd.co.uk/view-location-map.html. Nigel there will sort you out. Equally WMSS in Wolverhampton have a good reputation.

GTS57

Original Poster:

5 posts

163 months

Thursday 28th April 2011
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THANKS again Divid