Topics

1

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Aero back box

« on: 12 May 2014, 10:16:03 PM »

What is the difference between pre 2003 and post 2004 Aero back box?

I know the part number is different but are they actually different? Will a pre 2003 box fit a post 2004 model.

Thanks

Steve

2

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Lambda life?

« on: 15 April 2014, 08:34:21 PM »

What is the general consensus of the life of a Lambda sensor.

I have found several references on the web saying they should be replaced at 70k to 100k.

I understand they get slow or can even fail but what mileage do ours last?

Steve

3

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / 260 bhp Aero?

« on: 04 April 2014, 07:45:30 AM »

What made the Dame Edna Aero's 260 bhp?

Was it the ECU or a mod to the engine?

Can it be retro fitted to the earlier Aero's? (2004)?

Thanks

Steve

4

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Damp gearbox

« on: 24 March 2014, 07:10:19 PM »

I decided today to give my 9-5 Aero a proper service as I have had it for 5 months.

It was serviced by a VW dealer a month before I bought it and has been OK apart from the slightly higher fuel consumption than my last Aero.

The oil change went OK apart from a very tight sump plug.

I decided to replace the gearbox oil for 2 reasons. Since I have had the car I have noticed the gearbox was always damp with gearbox oil and secondly on my last car the gear change improved with new fluid.

I undid the gearbox drain plug and was surprised to find the fluid was quite thin,cherry red and also there was a lot of gearbox oil. I did not measure it exactly but it was a lot more than the 2 litres I was expecting. My catch can hold 5 litres and it was nearly full.

I can only presume the oil must have been replaced in the past and who ever did it looked at the automatic specification and filled it with the 3.8 litres that it specifies.

I have just been for a test drive and funny enough the gear change is a lot crisper and the car feels a lot quicker but no wonder with all the all in the gearbox.

It will be interesting to see if the fuel consumption improves.

I have cleaned the outside of the gearbox with solvent so hopefully I will have a dry gearbox from now on.

Steve

5

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Aero Normal MPG

« on: 03 February 2014, 10:24:43 AM »

Just a general question on what actual MPG get from there Aero's

My last car would do high 20's pottering around and on a long run driven with some care it would do high 30's.

The one I have now is identical spec just with a lot lower mileage but I struggle to get mid 20's pottering around and mid 30's on a gentle run.

I have replaced the plugs and when I look at the live data on my code reader all seems fine.

My previous car was a 2002 Estate and the one I have now is a 2004 Estate, both manuals and with a full service history.

Is there something wrong with my present car or was my last one just an exceptional car?

I am aware that cars can vary but I was not expecting such a dramatic difference between two identical cars.

My first thought was maybe the lambda was faulty but it shows a proper response on the live data.

Steve

6

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Bosal removable towbar

« on: 20 January 2014, 07:51:29 PM »

I had to fit my removable towbar at the weekend and I removed it today, it was very difficult to remove.

After a lot of fiddling it came out but the it was obvious something was wrong.

I stripped it down and found the lock was partially broken because some of the teeth were missing from the parts that pulls the part in that allows it to be removed 

Do Bosal supply a kit to fix these or will I need to buy a complete new towbar?

Steve

7

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Mirror with compass

« on: 17 January 2014, 06:50:28 PM »

I was browsing a US Saab website and noticed some of there 9-5's have a compass built into the rear view mirror.

Would this work on a UK car or is is something that will only work in the US?

The used mirrors that are available on US Fleabay seem to only have 3 wires like our auto dim mirrors but does the mirror have a compass built in or is it something transmitted around the US airwaves?

I have never seen it on a UK car but is quite a common feature on cars sold over there.

Steve 

8

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Handbrake cable

« on: 07 January 2014, 11:47:33 PM »

My handbrake keeps sticking on the nearside, I have removed the disc and checked the linkage is all in order. Nothing wrong so I am guessing its  the cable.

How big a job is this? I am a fairly competent mechanic but like all unknown jobs I would like to know what is involved before I start.

Should I allow a Saturday morning? the hole day or should I be booking a couple of days off work?

What problems am I likely to encounter?

Apart from a new handbrake cable is there anything else I should get in advance?

My car is a 2004 Aero Estate with 80k miles.

Steve

9

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Rear screen wash?

« on: 12 December 2013, 08:21:22 PM »

My 2004 Aero Estate cannot like the cold because I have another problem.

I dont have any water coming out of the rear washer jet, I have cleaned the hole out with a proper tool ( yes there is such a thing ) and there is a  pump running.

I can only find 2 pumps on the washer bottle, one is for the headlamp jets but there only seem to be one other. It is making a noise when I push the button but no water. I have water coming from the windscreen washer jets .

Any ideas or should I be looking for another pump? I am going to have to remove the bottle soon as the headlamp pump does not work so it would be good to do both jobs at the same time if possible.

Steve

10

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Surging at 3000rpm

« on: 09 December 2013, 10:49:12 AM »

Yesterday pm I was on the motorway doing 3000rpm in top gear in my 2004 Aero and the revs and boost started surging and backing off even though the throttle position had not moved, I switched the cruise control on and it stopped instantly. As soon as I switched it off it did it again.

I tried it at higher and lower revs and it was fine but as soon as I started cruising at 3000rpm it would start doing it again.

Once home I checked over the engine bay and hoses but everything seems OK. I have just been out and it wont repeat it.

I have plugged my code reader in and there are no codes stored or pending.

Any ideas? why only 3000rpm?

If I get chance later I will drive along at 3000rpm with the code reader and see what is happening, maybe it is running lean?

Steve

11

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Instant mpg

« on: 02 December 2013, 10:51:45 PM »

In my view one of the annoying features missing from the SID is an instant MPG readout.

It is useful to find an economic cruising speed on vehicles I have had in the past.

There are some kits that would seem to be ideal for this purpose.

http://www.plxdevices.com/product_info.php?id=SCANKIWIMPG

and

http://www.scangauge2.co.uk/product_info.php?prod=LLU-0010&name=ScanGaugeE&model=sgE

The first one does not do imperial MPG but is adjustable so should work with some fiddling.

Has anybody had any experience with either of these or another device that would give me the information?

I am not sure why the existing SID could not be configured to do this but the people I have asked seem to think it wont work.

Steve

12

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Shiny roof bars

« on: 22 November 2013, 08:15:37 AM »

Yesterday I passed a 9-5 Estate going in the opposite direction and it had shiny roof rails, I have never seen this before.

Was it an option or something that was only fitted for a limited time?

I have no idea what year the car was as it was on a private plate but I think it might have been a Dame Edna.

Steve

13

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Front seat heat.

« on: 09 November 2013, 12:56:34 AM »

Is the temperature of the seat heaters adjustable other than by the switch by the gear stick?

On my last Aero the seats were a lot hotter than this one. On the last car they seats would get quite hot and then cool down and then cut in again. On this one they are on all the time but at a much lower temperature even on maximum.

I thought maybe it was just a faulty thermostat on the drivers seat but my G/F mentioned it today that the seats were not as hot so it must be both seats.

The best way I can describe it is, 3 on the present car is equal to 1 on the old car.

Thanks

Steve

14

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Recommended Saab breaker

« on: 07 November 2013, 09:06:57 PM »

Hi I am after a couple of wheels for my 2004 9-5 Aero ( 5 spoke design ) in good condition.

I have been looking on the bay of plenty and tree with gum's ect for a while but this design seems to be quite rare.

Before I spend the afternoon on the phone ringing around does anybody recommend a Saab breaker that will know what I am talking about and wont charge me new prices?

I was offered a couple today but it was a good job they sent me a picture first as they were not the correct design, I think they were off a 9-3.

Steve

15

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Fuel tank capacity

« on: 26 October 2013, 08:03:00 PM »

I have recently replaced my 2002 Aero Estate with a 2004 Aero Estate.

It is surprising how many detail differences there are, some obviously to save some money. No rear ashtrays, no auto dimming rear view mirror, no memory function on drivers seat and no plastic trim around the tailgate so you can see the paint.

One odd thing I have noticed is I seem to be able to put about another £10 of petrol in with a similar amount of range showing.

Was this changed?

I do seem to be able to drive further between fill ups with about the same mpg showing on the readout.

Steve