Messages

1

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Tail Lights "reinforcement"?

« on: 02 February 2023, 12:34:33 PM »

Thanks for the reply, but that way I would have to spend a fortune to replace all tail lights. It would look great, though.

2

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Tail Lights "reinforcement"?

« on: 02 February 2023, 09:46:12 AM »

Hello! I have a 2005 9-3 almost clocking 300.000km.
Two years a go I noticed that the left side tail light cover (red plastic) was missing, so I had to order one. Yesterday the same thing happened but on the right side. I understand the car is getting old, and summers around here are extremely hot (above 40C for several days, sometimes weeks) and we also have our share of frosty windshields this time of the year.
Before I replace the tail light, I was wondering if there is some fix I can apply to reinforce the plastic cover attachment.
If anyone has ideas, please let me know.
Regards
David

3

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

« on: 06 May 2022, 09:23:00 AM »

Thank you so much!
Regards

4

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Headliner sugestions

« on: 05 May 2022, 09:53:43 AM »

Hello.
My 2005 saab 9-3 has been polished about 9 years ago, but unfortunately the paint job lost the bright it some panels since then. I have no garage. I've been told by 2 professionals only a new paint job will restore it. The headliner fabric has also started to fail at the borders, but I managed to glue it with proper material. Of course the places where I glued are darker (as if wet) and not very pretty. The temperatures can rise above 40C with ease for a few weeks during summer, so I'm not sure if I should paint the car and replace the headliner....
Has anyone replaced the original headliner fabric for something more robust? Is there such an option available to buy, instead of asking a professional to install new fabric?
Thanks!

5

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: White smoke and rough idle for 10 seconds - only between 10 degrees C and 28 C

« on: 09 February 2022, 09:19:45 AM »

What controls idle rpm ?

6

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: White smoke and rough idle for 10 seconds - only between 10 degrees C and 28 C

« on: 08 February 2022, 10:46:50 AM »

Startup at 8 degrees C, parked in the sun, brief puff of cloud, idle a bit lower than the previous days at colder temperature. Not rough idle, but not so smooth has in previous colder days.
Must be some temperature sensor reading...maybe after DPF...

7

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: White smoke and rough idle for 10 seconds - only between 10 degrees C and 28 C

« on: 01 February 2022, 09:31:21 AM »

DPF is off for some years..

Does the MAF need to be clean?
Thanks

8

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: White smoke and rough idle for 10 seconds - only between 10 degrees C and 28 C

« on: 23 January 2022, 08:27:02 PM »

Thanks for the reply, but the glow plugs were replaced last year and the colder (or hotter), the better.
Today, startup at 10C, in the shade for the entire day, no smoke or rough idle.

9

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: White smoke and rough idle for 10 seconds - only between 10 degrees C and 28 C

« on: 21 January 2022, 09:22:22 PM »

Two days parked inside a garage, startup at 13 degrees C, no smoke and no rough idle.

Is it possible the ECU is reading the ambient temperature in more than one sensor, causing some discrepancy (more notorious when parked under the sun)  and a richer mixture during startup on certain occasions?

This year I also replaced the performance foam air filter for a "classic" paper one, and I've been noticing less startup smoke since then.
Any ideas for this odd behaviour?
Thanks and regards!
 

10

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: White smoke and rough idle for 10 seconds - only between 10 degrees C and 28 C

« on: 18 January 2022, 11:38:38 AM »

Hi all!
so 2022, and still no idea. These last months, cold startup and around 8 degrees C and lower, the car starts and runs smoothly, like new! (EGR cleaned, intake replaced in 2020).

If the car is parked in the sun, the idle is lower, like when hot at around 750rpm, and I get a bit rough idle and white smoke.
The same happens if the engine doesn't warm up and I drive for just 1 or 2km to start it again soon for the real commute.

Cold starts at cold weather- fine

Cold starts at very hot weather - fine
Anywhere in between, it might get rough idle and white smoke.

I am almost sure this must be a temperature related problem.  I changed the MAP sensor last year and no more hesitation under hard acceleration. I hadn't the courage yet to clean the MAF sensor with MAF cleaner, as it is to sensible. Could it be it?
Any help appreciated.
Thanks!

11

Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) / Re: Car Battery 9-3 2.0t 2006 - dying?

« on: 18 January 2022, 11:21:34 AM »

I had that exact brand and model fitted in my 1.9tid.
Manufactured in 2015, bought in late 2016 and fitted in early 2017. Served me very well until a few months ago, when I decided to fit a new one. Although the car started fine, some times the ABS light took about 2 seconds to turn off. This started to happen when the weather got colder so I replaced it in November (6 years after manufactured date). Just like Audax wrote, it is better to do some research and buy a new one at a good price with time on your side.
Once I had another one (same model) in which one cell died after 7 years and showed around 10.1V when fully charged...
Hope it helps

12

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

« on: 20 December 2021, 09:38:50 AM »

so far everything is fine. Even after the lately morning frosts and after 55km under heavy rain today, no moisture found and the headlight is running fine.
I wonder if replacing the rotten headlight rubber strips had anything to do with this happening 2 weeks later. I used regular window rubber sealer...
I'll post if I find anything new.
Regards and merry Christmas!

13

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

« on: 06 December 2021, 04:50:41 PM »

hi Dave, sorry. I had a look today and I couldn't find them to take some photos. I think when my aero went to the great parts department in the sky I left the lights in the boot. I had tried selling them but they were from France and LHD (understandably, nobody wanted them).

Thanks, no problem. LHD, exactly what I might need one day   Anyway, so far everything is ok. Heavy rain expected tomorrow, so I'll be checking it.

14

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

« on: 25 November 2021, 09:33:41 AM »

Think I have some bi-xenon housings in the garage - I can have  a look later. I did some HID swaps a while back and I don't remember the bulbs fitting particularly tightly.

thanks for the reply.
I'm hoping to find the moisture ingress. But, If I need the housing itself, I'll keep this in mind.
Thanks!

15

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

« on: 25 November 2021, 09:27:43 AM »

There's this longer tube on the underside of the 9-5 and is there a short vent on the 9-3 in the second photo?

Both are Xenons.

The mechanic didn't mention those...I'll be alert next time as I'm almost sure it will happen again.
Thank you so much! I'll be posting any interesting updates.
Thanks.