Signal/headlight/cruise control stalk needed

[davidguthrie]

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.

[Audax]

Why are you assuming you need a replacement stalk? With the 9-3 there are so many bits of electrical system in the path to the headlight bulbs from the stalk that just assuming that is the problem is giving a lot of potential for a mis-diagnosis. Especially as the stalks themselves don't seem to fail

[davidguthrie]

Why? Because I am ignorant! I just assume it's a mechanical glitch. That said, the cruise control and signals work fine as does the quick-flash function. I ask simply because, if the stalk is the problem, I need to find the part so that my trusty mechanics can take care of it.
It may well be some (to me) mysterious gizmo in the steering column where the stalk plugs in. But then, I wouldn't know what the heck to look for on the Saab parts sites.

[Audax]

The bit it plugs into is the CIM module which contains much of the logic behind this and If I am remembering correctly the switches for the stalk are built into it anyway, but you can't just swap them in and out as they need programming to the car. I'd be suggesting that you engage the services of a specialist with a Tech-2 device to look at this properly before spending money replacing parts that do not need replacement.

[davidguthrie]

I long for the days of me old Hillman SuperMinx. Screwdriver and ball peen hammer and maybe a couple of AF spanners and it's fixed!
Thanks for that, Audax. There is a Saab specialist I've found near Newcastle. I'll check whether he has the said Tech 2 kit. I wasn't planning to buy simply 'on spec' but knowing where I could get the bit if I needed to.

[aerojon]

all the electronics,contacts etc etc are contained within the CIM..are you sure you pulled back far enough on the stalk to engage the highs,it's happened to me a couple of times where I've not pulled the stalk back far enough...Why are the highs beams switching off dangerous you still have the dipped/low beam..

[Max Headroom]

I long for the days of me old Hillman SuperMinx. Screwdriver and ball-pein hammer and maybe a couple of AF spanners and it's fixed!

My sentiments too.

I absolutely adored my SAAB it still remains one of if not the best car I've ever owned, but I grew to hate and fear faults because invariably unless it was mechanical, there was nothing much I could do to fix it myself, and I found myself going through the ad-nauseam not to mention expense of getting diagnostics done by someone else.
Any modern car is fabulous with its superb fuel economy and performance; lots of plush electrical gizmos such as electrically heated seats, electrically adjusted seats; hydro/electric roof operation; air conditioning/climate control etc etc ...fabulous that is, until it goes wrong.

I'd love to have my old SAAB back or any modern car for that matter (nowadays put together with their superior materials and build-quality compared to old cars), but I would want it with carburettors, manually operated roof, wind-up/down windows, simple electrics, and the nearest computer being the one on the desk in my house.

It's been brilliant getting my old MG back - I forgot how easy this was to work with/on and I'm having fun getting my hands properly dirty on cars again.
I even once considered getting myself an old 1950's sit-up-and-beg Ford Pop as an every-day drive but I think Wonder Woman would baulk at the very thought of going quite that far - lack of speed, acceleration, and any form of creature-comforts including the optional extra of - or more usually, lack of heater might be considered by her (and others) as incomprehensible! 

[Audax]

I'd love to have my old SAAB back or any modern car for that matter (nowadays put together with their superior materials and build-quality compared to old cars), but I would want it with carburettors, manually operated roof, wind-up/down windows, simple electrics, and the nearest computer being the one on the desk in my house.

I'd rather walk than have to own and work on a car like that

[davidguthrie]

I well remember, with great fondness, always having a pair of ramps in the boot of the old Hillman. Saved my bacon one day on the A1 South (no A1(M) in them thar days) when the exhaust split to great fanfare and underbody fireworks. Pulled into a layby, mounted the ramps, found a Coke tin in the bin plus, believe it or not, a length of thin wire. Buffeted by passing trucks, Hillman rocking alarmingly and a chunk of grit in my left eye, the job was done. Drove the rest of the way monocularly and popped into the Royal Surrey Eye Department. The repair lasted a year.
Aaahhhh! Those were the days! Come back Plastic Padding (also always in the boot) and GunGum.
I'm still trying to contact a chap by the name of John Speed, who used to be a salesman at Western Saab in Newcastle (now SEAT) and who, coincidentally, bought my lovely old 900i convertible way back when, but now runs his own show specialising in Saabs. Trouble is, the number listed for the garage was answered by a foreign-sounding lady in her own home. He's on Facebook too, so I'm hoping for a reply soon. Just hope he has a Tech2 or at least a good work-around.
Anyone know of a good Saab specialist in the North East?

[Audax]

Anyone know of a good Saab specialist in the North East?

When we went to Scotland last year I had a look for good Saab specialists in the North East and couldn't really find any as I was checking ahead of travel as I'd repaired the car a few days before we travelled and wanted to make sure I had options in the event of problems. There seemed to be a drought of Saabs from North of Peterborough until getting into Scotland where they suddenly seemed quite common again.

[davidguthrie]

Just heard from John Speed, who's based in Hazlerigg, just off the A1 north of Newcastle. I'll be taking the bairn down to him next week and will report on developments.
It's also possible that what used to be Western Saab in east Newcastle (Benton, near Wallsend) have mechanics who can work on Saabs, but they charge an arm and a leg.