Topics

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / A bit of bling...

« on: 02 December 2024, 10:47:45 PM »

I have bought a replacement door lock for the Carlsson from RTJ in Stockport last week an saw they had some puddle lights.  Quite a good price, so I got them and fitted them.  I didn't tell my wife and let her find out.  Fortunately, she thinks they are great fun, so it was clearly a good buy.

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Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Another MOT passed!

« on: 26 November 2024, 04:05:35 PM »

One more MOT.  Car is 18 years old this week.

I had a service carried out at the same time and Joe picked up that the aux belt was on its last legs, so that was replaced.

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Announcements & Events / Ace Cafe Meeting Sat 11th January 2025

« on: 25 November 2024, 09:30:04 PM »

Next Saab Ace Cafe Meeting.  11am onwards Saturday 11th January 2025.

Ace Cafe is on the North Circular Road, London.  NW10 7UD

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Carlsson coolant level issue.

« on: 24 November 2024, 05:48:35 PM »

On the way back from Devon to London last weekend we got a low coolant level warning.  When we stopped at the services, there was a small leak from the hose to the coolant tank.  Although the clip was tight, I tightened it further, cleaned the area and it doesn't seem to have leaked there again.

Today, OH reported that the low coolant level warning was showing again. I have fluorescent dye in the coolant, so I went down tonight and explored with my UV torch, and I couldn't see a leak.  I went to top up the tank with more coolant, and it didn't need any...

I now suspect that the level sensor is failing.  Has anyone had an issue with the sensor?  It doesn't look as if it's replaceable.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / For the record - Carlsson at 100,000 miles

« on: 19 November 2024, 11:22:53 PM »

On the way home from Devon on Sunday.

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Announcements & Events / Stolen 93

« on: 12 November 2024, 04:34:17 PM »

Jon, the chairman of the Saab Enthusiasts Club, has had his restored car stolen.  Keep an eye out.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Odd Diagnostic Code C0547 04 (CIM) but no symptoms.

« on: 05 October 2024, 01:31:24 PM »

I just ran a check of the diagnostic codes, for no reason really, but because I was there.  I got C0547 04.  This is described as an ignition switch circuit fault, along with the statement "Message appears on dashboard.  Engine will not start".

However, there is no message, and the engine starts with no problem.  The code is not a pending code.  So I'm a bit confused.  Maybe I just need to keep an eye on the ISM?

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Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Well, I'm not going to pay this parking charge.

« on: 18 September 2024, 09:02:33 AM »

We went to Binz and stayed for a bit over 3 hours.  The car park is camera controlled.  It registered us going in, but it seems it's blind when we exited.  I went online to pay the €5.50, but the parking company want more.

So far this morning they reckon that the car is still there an we owe €84.50 and rising.

We we are in a hotel 50 miles away and the car is here with us...

9

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / XWD rear suspension. Self levelling delete. First impressions

« on: 02 September 2024, 04:58:56 PM »

As mentioned in the general "What I did to my car" thread, I decided that a pair of self levelling shock absorbers at almost £1200 plus fitting seemed too much for a 14 year old car.  So I bought the PFS kit that is similar to the one sold by esaabparts in the US for the Turbo X Ultra sport suspension.  It was fitted this morning and I have just driven it 50 miles. 

First impressions are that it's fine.  A tiny bit lower at the back, but barely noticeable.  On sweeping bends it seems OK but a bit "looser" with a tendency to suggest oversteer, but only in extreme.   We shall see how it goes with a load on the German trip.

In the middle of last week the car developed a very loud knock at the rear.  That has gone.   So it was the shock absorber in its death throes.

10

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Now a bumper repair...

« on: 18 August 2024, 06:38:51 PM »

SWMBO was driving slowly up the track to our parking area behind the house.  The council have fenced off a small area for "urgent knotweed treatment" but it's enough to make the access difficult.  In avoiding that she drove a bit further into the undergrowth and caught the bumper on a hidden log

So, it's bumper off and see how much damage has been done.  There's a dent in the bumper which will probably press out, but the foglight and the plastic surround looks to be toast, along with the undertray.   Fortunately I think I have all the spares in the corner of the shed.  When I bought the used bumper a few years ago, it came fully fitted with all the black inserts and foglights.  Fingers crossed.

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Parts & Accessories for Saabs FOR SALE & WANTED / Saab wheel storage bags. - SOLD!!

« on: 11 August 2024, 08:36:41 PM »

I have available a set of four Saab wheel storage bags.   

I used them for storing the winter tyres in summer, and the summer tyres in winter. But, I have now fitted all season tyres and these are no longer needed.  They seem to be rare as I haven't seen any others.  They are a set of four with the wheel position identified on the outside.

The bags are made of cloth reinforced PVC. They have zip closures and a pair of strong carrying handles each. Big enough to store the 19 inch Carlsson wheels with 235/40 tyres.

The zips close from each end and meet in the middle (or whereever you like...).  One of the zip pull tags has broken, but the zip itself works.

There are a few cuffs, etc. as they have been used twice a year for around 15 years! 

£40 collected.  £48 posted, via Evri, or similar.  Pay by Paypal.

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Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Airbag warning - again :(

« on: 04 August 2024, 09:17:35 PM »

This week the airbag light and the bing bong has started up again.  I had a new airbag last November, and a new clockspring in June. 

What else is left?

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Pictures of the 2.8 V6 engine

« on: 01 August 2024, 09:37:34 PM »

While I was in Sweden at the Saabklubben store, I found a Saab V6 engine on a stand.  So I took a load of pictures for my information while there were no other parts in the way.

Posted here for anyone to look and see where some of the pipes go...

Page 1 of 2

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Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Low coolant level :(

« on: 28 June 2024, 06:34:02 PM »

Away for the weekend.  Got in the car this morning and the low coolant level warning appeared.  The level is indeed low.  There is no visible sign of leakage.  We are away for the weekend, so if you see me stranded on the M40 tomorrow, give me a wave as you go by.

I'm suspecting the pressure release in the cap at the moment, but we shall see.

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Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Brake vacuum pump noisy - V6 engine

« on: 24 June 2024, 08:15:17 PM »

The "slight hum" from the brake vacuum pump is now a loud buzz.  The pump 12822387 is no longer available.  At least in its 9-3 form.  There are very similar pumps available on the web for around £55 which look as if they can be adapted.  They look identical to GM Saab?Vauxhall 20914523 which some Saab sources offer for the NG 9-5 at around £525.  So a typical mark-up it seems. 

I would imagine that they could be adapted, if desperate.  But has the part number 12822387 been updated to a non-GM Hedin number?  If so, a what price?

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/394842158230

https://www.neobrothers.co.uk/car-parts/brakes/brake-vacuum-pump/recycled-genuine-saab-brake-vacuum-pump-12822387

Perhaps a call to Ron Saab Leeds will be the best route if I need a replacement.