Messages

1

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: 1.9TiD (150) oil seems to be low, after it started tapping/knocking when cold

« on: 05 October 2015, 10:00:02 AM »

I'd be taking it back right away...

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Door lock actuator question

« on: 29 August 2015, 05:05:52 AM »

Hi All,

It's been a while. Not much action lately it seems...

My driver's side front door lock is playing up. The signal seems to be getting through to the mechanism, but the button isn't going up or down when you press the key fob buttons. I've had the door card off and poked about but it all seems connected correctly. There is a mechanical jolt felt through the lock itself but the magnetic resistance of the solenoid seems to be absent.

They have changed the security gate sensor to get into the carpark at work, and leaning out the window at a stretch sees the button pushed down by your arm, which has probably finished off the solenoid. I figure after 10 years, it is worn out and just needs replacing.

Is this a Tech -2 type of thing to get the car to recognise a new unit, once it is in? Is it a tricky job replacing the mechanism?

Suggestions welcome please.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: misfire

« on: 18 July 2015, 12:32:03 PM »

You can see coils for $15 each on Flea-Bay, for 9-3 CTS BUick et al....
What is really interesting is the pricing of DIs. Wow! $75!! Eh?

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Dash trim removal

« on: 18 July 2015, 12:27:09 PM »

Excellent, and thanks! Looks pretty logical to do.
The under dash trim (in the footwell) has fallen down too in recent times and is not attached properly. Wondering if it is a bayonet type of clip to, hold it up?

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Dash trim removal

« on: 16 July 2015, 10:04:28 AM »

Hi All,

Looking to get the trim strip out of the dash on the passenger side, to either resurface it or vinyl wrap the thing. Very aware that the airbag is nearby and wondered as to the best way to get the trim out. Also want the push button that opens the glovebox out as well, as the surface is peeling too. '04 model.
All ideas very welcome.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Door pulls need attention

« on: 13 July 2015, 12:02:11 PM »

Update.
The door-pulls in their new vinyl look and feel great. Very solid and much more meaty to grab when shutting the door.
All good...except for the smell. Seems the rubber cement glue I used has reacted in a particular way with the ABS plastic and the vinyl. Or it is just a smelly glue that is still giving off lots of fumes.
And not so pleasant ones at that.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Door pulls need attention

« on: 06 July 2015, 10:17:57 AM »

That though crossed my mind as I was doing this too. The point of contact where you actually touch the car is such an important thing, and is much underestimated in my view. Audi do a great job of this, even in their older cars. Merc possibly the best at it since the 60s. But our new Mazda 6 wagon has blown me away with its interior. A base model car with proper stitched leather trim on the doors and dash pad. 10 different textures in the cabin makes it a classy place to sit.
And you're spot on Audax, the 9-3 interior is very Placky, and at times irritatingly quite Tacky. Why DID they do this? My only logical reason that I can come up with, is a feature that I call 'scrub-ability'.
You can scrub anything off the trim in a 9-3, particularly with an Enjo cloth, and it is new again. Crazy.
But this uber practicality came at a price. A serious lack of texture and feel.
So, the challenge now is to steadily improve the interior of the cabin to make the 9-3 a nicer place to be.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Door pulls need attention

« on: 05 July 2015, 11:44:02 AM »

Well, it seems I may be onto something here. Sourced some leather-look auto grade vinyl upholstery trim, in satin black. Stretches with a but of heat and goes around sharp edges well, and it is the right texture.
Removed the door pull covers. Cleaned them up, sanded them back and covered them in the vinyl. Tricky and fiddly, and messy with the rubber cement. Patience required in large doses.
The vinyl has the texture of grained leather that matches the door card trim nicely. I wrapped the trim around by 5mm on all edges. And it looks a size larger and feels more 'factory' than I expected. Really solid and higher quality feel to the cabin now. Almost like it should have been like this from new from the beginning. And it all clips back on to the handles. 6 hours well spent, I think.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: She's eatin' oil

« on: 05 July 2015, 11:33:06 AM »

Good points made. The drain capacity at 6L is the unusual part for me. Nearly every other car I have had anything to do with can have its oil changed with a 5L bottle. Buying FS oil at over $80 for 5L  is fine, but to buy another bottle doubles the cost, which is irritating. I'm not 'cheap' when it comes to maintaining and servicing my cars, but this seems odd.

10

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: PO106

« on: 30 June 2015, 01:46:07 PM »

It's been 7 years for this car with my family. We have done lots together. Collecting the girls from school every day, trips to the beach, up country, Ikea, Bunnings, towing boats, sofa-beds, 3m of timber IN the cabin...everything. I miss it already. But I don't miss getting underneath it every weekend.
Multiple petrol pumps and alternators, new batteries, starter motors, leaking radiators, head gasket, cracked sump, split drive shafts, the list goes on. The subframe bushes were shot, rear bearing was gone, the brakes, weren't all that flash lately and the ABS was getting weird at times. But engine pulled hard and the turbo didn't blow smoke, much.
220,000km over 14 years doesn't sound like the end of the road, but it got to the point where I couldn't get under it in anymore.
The best thing about the wagon? The interior. Still looked like new after a decent scrub. The practicality was awesome. The functionality was beyond its years, for many years.
A pity GM got in the way and spoilt the engineering longevity....
But that was always going to happen wasn't it?
There aren't any left on our roads down here anymore, and mine might have been one of the last 9-5 wagons running about. At least I could properly say I didn't give up on it before others did. Being a DIY guy for all these years might have prolonged its life a bit, who knows.
I had always thought 400K would have seen the car out, and would have got another 5 years from it.
As was quoted in "The Castle"...Tell 'em he's dreamin'!
Anyway, it's been quite a journey, and the car has certainly been a part of the family for all these years.
My Aero sedan was a truly excellent thing, until it got hit hard from both ends and sent to the wrecker a few years back. One in the carpark just yesterday turned my head and had me looking...I believe it will become quite the collector's car down the track, actually...
'Nine-Fiver' (Aus715) signing off from this section of the Forum for now.

Time to get the 9-3 up to scratch now....

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Door pulls need attention

« on: 30 June 2015, 01:14:43 PM »

Ah. Not going down the professional route on this one. DIY pour moi, in the spirit of 'avoiding expenditure at all costs'...
Seriously, looking at doing a black leather over the door pull shell and think it is quite do-able.
When I work out how to post pics, will show my attempt soon...

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: She's eatin' oil

« on: 30 June 2015, 01:05:39 PM »

6L is unusual, but correct. Annoying for the DIY'er but correct. What do you do? Buy Two bottles of expensive FS oil? Is this just an Aero thing?

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Door pulls need attention

« on: 29 June 2015, 11:10:42 AM »

Looks like I have three options for the door pulls.
1.Restore the pull to OEM look using Plastidip.
2.Source a fine leather to overcoat the pull (preferred)
3.use a carbon weave vinyl 3M product.

They all have their own advantages and disadvantages...

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: She's eatin' oil

« on: 29 June 2015, 10:59:34 AM »

Absolutely, the 'method' needs to be consistent every time to get a reliable reading.
Interesting that this version of the 2.0 engine needs 6 liters to fill it up to the mark again. Must be the oil cooler volume involved too. Annoying when you can only buy 5L in a bottle, so you end up buying two.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Hands Free Kit

« on: 24 June 2015, 11:06:48 AM »

So, looking at putting in a hands-free kit into the Hirsch. This car has the phone in the boot option, but it has been deactivated by Tech 2. Who would use that today anyway, given the iphone these days.
What's the best way to get an integrated and functional system these days, for an '04 car?