Topics

1

Cleaning and Detailing / Eliminating swirl marks - best stuff and method

« on: 28 June 2018, 09:50:36 PM »

Many people compliment me on the appearance of me black Saab 9-3 convertible ... but I can't help noticing that many (previous owner) five quid or bob-a-job week washes have left swirl marks.
Took a trip to a local clean/detail shop, who quoted £400 for a thorough job. That's about a quarter of what I paid for the car, so it's a no-go.
To find a DIY solution, I made the mistake of going on YouTube and confused myself with all kinds of yankee gotta-dos, but there seems to be a case for Meguiar's Ultimate Compound or maybe just their Swirl-X.
Why I went to the detailers' in the first place is that I have to work at the roadside where I'm obliged to park me little darlin'.
Has anyone undertaken a similar endeavour and would you please advise on the best stuff to use and the best method?

2

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Signal/headlight/cruise control stalk needed

« on: 20 June 2018, 08:24:55 PM »

My headlight beam controls have gone haywire, either failing to switch on high beam first shot, or (more dangerously) switching off promptly. My mechanic reported that a headlight bulb had become dislodged and this may have caused a fault in the circuit. Stated that it worked okay when they tried it. But ... not for me when I tried it out.
I must get this fixed and assume I'll need a replacement stalk. I've looked on Parts for Saabs and Saabits, but no sign of anything like it (unless I've used the wrong term for the darn thing).
Any idea where I might try, apart from trawling round local scrappers?
If anyone knows the correct part number, that would be a help. It's a 9-3 Vector convertible 1.8T on a 54 plate, but the VIN indicates it's an '05.

3

Cleaning and Detailing / Using Henry and steam mop on roof? Nénetté for the bodywork?

« on: 14 June 2018, 02:19:44 PM »

Fellow Saabistas!
I've used our Henry vacuum cleaner on the soft top to remove bits of fluff and dust that settle thereon and it seems to work really well, though for a thorough, pre-reproofing clean I'd also use a stiff-bristled brush.
Now, we have a steam mop thing that does a great job on the kitchen and bathroom floors; it has a soft cotton pad on a kind of triangular plastic end. I wonder whether using this on the roof would be of benefit ... or harm?
Has anyone tried this? Do the aficionados consider it unwise/unnecessary?
Also, I've just snaffled a Nénetté lustreuse. Its soft cotton mop is impregnated with Nénétol. It's been around since 1947 and I remember my mother using one to dust in the house, though it was primarily intended for la carosserie. Seems to me this would be a great lazy-boy clean-up between thorough wash-polish-wax sessions. Anyone had a go with these?

4

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Best all-year tyres for 9-3 convertible - recommendations

« on: 10 May 2018, 10:35:33 AM »

Afore long, my 2004 9-3 Vector convertible will need a new set of tyres. It's a17" alloy wheel and I like to go for good quality but not wildly expensive kit.
I would welcome members' recommendations. Have at it, lads and lasses!

5

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Power steering moaning at low speeds

« on: 09 May 2018, 09:18:10 PM »

My steering makes an intermittent low, moaning sound at low speeds (or is it just that I only notice it at low speeds?)
Any ideas on what may be causing it ... and whether a fix will be expensive?
(2004 Saab 9-3 Vector convertible 2.0t)

6

Cleaning and Detailing / Soft top - using Renovo over the top of Autoglym proofer?

« on: 10 April 2018, 03:38:10 PM »

Being keen and under-informed, I got one of those Autoglym twin-packs for cleaning and proofing my soft top.
I'm not delighted with the results and, guided by what I now have read in STT, would like to use the Renovo products, most likely the one that has added UV protection to the proofing.
My dilemma is: will  the Renovo ultra proofer work when simply applied over the Autoglym stuff?
If not, what (doubtless laborious) method should I use to be able to Renovofy my lid?

7

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Best spark plugs AND fuel filler cap issue - ? can cause fault warning

« on: 02 April 2018, 09:34:12 PM »

Here he is again. Three days in and on the horn for advice!
2004 Saab 9-3 Vector 2.0T convertible rated at (I think) 150bhp
1) Spark plugs. I'd welcome advice on the best plugs to use for me new (to me) bairn.
2) The previous owner had lost the original fuel cap and replaced it with one of those push-in emergency types.
I've sourced a proper Saab replacement (dismantler via eBay - very helpful) and await delivery. Now, having flagged up a warning light and some loss of oomph in another post, it just occurred to me that, the fuel cap being an integral part of the fuel system rather than just a spill preventer on tight bends, this might have been a contributory factor.
3) Is there a way to cancel the warning (and the resulting corrective measure taken by the EMS) without using one of those gizmos you plug in? I've seen mention of removing fuse 17 (presumably the one in the engine compartment fuse box) for 15 minutes, but wonder whether this is advisable.  I have ordered a fault decoder, which presumably I can use to cancel the warning if I'm satisfied the fault isn't serious. Again, awaiting delivery.
Meantime, I'd really appreciate it if members could assist with my learning curve.
I've already learned so much from Will (sgould), Audax, aerojon and Max Headroom to whom grazie mile, amici!

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Engine warning light - loss of power

« on: 31 March 2018, 10:15:50 PM »

Hello, just joined. Great forum!
My recently-acquired 9-3 Vector convertible (90,000 on the clock) has started giving me the engine warning light.  It came on as I was in 5th and accelerating from 65 mph on dual carriageway. I took it back to the dealer, who ran a cursory diagnostic test (but for a Vauxhall - no Saab in the gizmo) which indicated throttle control fault.
Now, the problem really only manifests itself in 1st and 2nd gears -  a distinct loss of power, so pulling away at a junction has to be timed particularly well! - but other than that, it runs fine.
The dealer did say that, prior to my purchase, the car hadn't been driven very much at all ('careful lady driver'!) so there might be crap in the throttle body.
The car is on a warranty, so should be diagnosed more thoroughly and presumably rectified, but I wanted to check whether this was a fault anyone else had experienced and what the diagnosis/outcome were and whether there were any other foibles I should look out for. (Also, just dipping me toes into STT waters, frankly.)