Topics

1

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Twist - or stick?

« on: 01 November 2016, 10:30:02 PM »

Here’s a conundrum and I’m hoping that many heads are better than one. The car: 2003 manual Aero Wagon, 130K, all the toys other than roll-out floor. 17” ‘double Y’s. Walnut dash. It’s had DIC, CPS, vent kit.

Two and a half years ago it lost the synchro on 1st while we were on holiday. Took it to a Saab indie near Norwich and asked if they could fit an exchange recon box. Said they didn’t do that but they would strip and completely rebuild it, which they did for about £1,500. Although it’s since baulked a bit going into 5th when cold, all went well until last week when it dropped the synchro on 2nd.

What would YOU do? - scrap it? - use it as a trade-in? - replace the box? - live with it? I’d much appreciate any considered thoughts/suggestions.

2

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Roof bridge spoiler

« on: 10 June 2016, 10:00:50 AM »

I've been thinking of sprucing up the old girl with a wagon roof spoiler - but the only ones I can find are copies, usually from Poland. Does anyone know if these are any good? - and where can I find a fitting kit and/or any fitting instructions?

3

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / AirCon problem

« on: 24 March 2016, 03:31:40 PM »

I need a new compressor to condenser hose for my 2003 aero estate- part no (I think!) is 5047048*. Any idea where I can source a replacement at reasonable money? There seem to be load of s/h ones on the Bay but I'd prefer to trust a new one.

* I'd also appreciate any thoughts/corrections on this.

4

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Strange light

« on: 31 January 2016, 03:45:26 PM »

Under the ESP button on the dash, there's a green light; I always assumed it was a repeater for trailer indicator lights.

This morning - for the first time since we've had the car (5 years) - it came on and stayed on. It's still on now, two hours after the car was parked and locked. Now it's illuminated, I notice there's a black logo printed on the glass, which I've shown in the attached picture.

Can anyone tell me what it's for and how I can turn it off! (I've also noticed that, although we have a Bosal removable tow bar, there are no electrical trailer sockets on the car.

5

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Power steering leak

« on: 16 October 2015, 12:03:01 PM »

A strange buzzing, louder when turning and rising pitch at speed led to the discovery of a loss of power steering fluid. Refill lasted two days, provoking a visit to the local MOT folk and a peer underneath. It appears one or more of the metal pipes around the radiator has corroded and sprung a leak. There followed lot of sucking air over the teeth and advice to source after-market pipes.

My questions are these:
- are after-market pipes vs Saab ones a sensible choice? (I’ve seen something on here saying they’re no longer available)
- where to get them? (Neo Bros? - they have a replacement kit at around £75)
- any outline idea of the likely cost of replacement? (by an indie - I can’t afford dealer prices!)

Grateful for any advice.

6

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / More headlight problems

« on: 13 November 2014, 11:18:02 AM »

Second fault this week! SWMBO commented that the headlights (Xenons) seemed to be 'a bit high' when she drove it and that some had flashed their lights at her. I found that the dip beam no longer goes up and down when switched on but stays fixed in position just a bit higher than normal. What appear to be adjuster screws make no difference, either. Any help appreciated.

PS: no Xenon warning light.

7

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Cyclopian headache

« on: 04 November 2014, 12:08:41 PM »

I used to be quite good at car electrics but modern electronics have me beat, so I thought I'd try for an answer here...

(2003 Aero Wagon with Xenon headlights) - LH main beam goes out - "Front light failure" warning appears - no main beam warning light. Bulb changed, fuses 10 and 11 checked - no effect. This happened before and cleared itself after a restart - not this time.

Possible failure of some other unit? - hoping you guys will give me a lead.

8

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Mystery Saab part

« on: 17 March 2014, 01:09:30 PM »

Trying to locate an intermittent rattle under the bonnet, I came across this (attached pics) sitting in a recess. It carries the legend "Saab" and "PP GF 40." Does anyone know what it is - and where it belongs?

9

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Turbo - or not?

« on: 24 February 2014, 11:44:59 AM »

Worrying sound from the car has started: whine or howl (not loud but noticeable) at certain engine speeds under load. Weird - sounds like a resonance and seems to be related to turbo boost. Stops if you take your foot off the throttle. Car is 2003 Aero wagon @ 110,000 miles.
Sorry not to be more specific but does anyone have any ideas?

10

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Extreme folly or good sense?

« on: 15 November 2013, 12:06:20 PM »

Our Aero is driving the length of Britain - 600 miles from here to Norwich - next week, to Robert Holden's at Salhouse, to have its gearbox rebuilt; he says it will take about a week, probably cost less than £1K and is loaning us a car meantime - nice man.

That's about what the car's worth but as I can't find anything to equal it (apart from the synchro missing on first and dodgy on the rest) I'm thinking that at 100K miles we might as well just keep it and look after it. Everyone else we've taken it to here in the Highlands wants £1500 to £2K to repair it, simply by fitting a s/h box of unknown provenance.

Any thoughts on whether we're using sound judgement or are completely mad would be appreciated - if only for the comfort of reinforcing my prejudices! 

11

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / No first gear

« on: 24 May 2013, 01:31:28 PM »

Off to the office this morning but at the second junction, it decided not to go into first gear - lever would go so far and no further. After a bit of fiddling, I've discovered that keeping gentle pressure on the lever and carefully releasing the clutch until the gears just start to mesh and make a noise, lets it go in OK. Obviously this isn't a viable solution, so does anyone have any ideas as to the cause? Thoughts appreciated.

12

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / On the nose

« on: 09 May 2013, 01:33:50 PM »

I've started to notice a strong smell of fuel under heavy acceleration. A look under the bonnet shows no obvious signs of leakage anywhere and performance/economy seem unaffected. Am I missing something known/obvious?

13

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Lead kindly light...

« on: 19 February 2013, 10:03:54 PM »

The second car door courtesy light has just failed (the ones in the base of the doors) and it's bl**dy cold outside. Please can anyone tell me what bulbs I should be looking for on the internet, whilst waiting for better weather?

14

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Mystery stoppage

« on: 04 December 2012, 10:13:00 PM »

So there we were, bowling along happily, when suddenly the EM light appeared, no power, and we glided serenely to a halt. Startup check says 'OK', starter operates but no go - and EML stays on. RAC found it was getting fuel OK but had no other ideas - his code reader unhelpful, apparently. Had a new main-agent DIC six months ago. There was no noises or drama at all when it stopped. Anything obvious to look for or think about? 

15

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Vacuum pipe replacement

« on: 21 November 2012, 06:46:31 PM »

One of my vacuum pipes keeps coming adrift (I think it's been shortened - a torque surge will pull it away from the valve) so I'm thinking of replacing them all with silicone. It seems to be sold by the yard or metre, so can anyone tell me how much I need and what internal/external size? Also, are all these vacuum pipes the same diameter - and where should they run from/to?