Author Topic: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue  (Read 41670 times)

razique

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Hi,

my Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel 120bhp 2005. in the morning or after prolongeg parking it is takes few good crank before it will start. once started its all fine. it drives normal and once started i can start again and again no issue. I have had a garage look at it they cant seem to find the fault. some sugest it could be injection. But i have no power loss or anything. I have even been told it could be the diesel fuel pump. Again i would have thought this would be happening all the time. it is mostley happening in the morning or after leaving the car for good few hours and then try start the car.

Can someone please help me on this issue. I do like the car.
I have had the egr valve cleaned new alternator starter motor and battery chacked by garage they are ok. new glow plug and new actuator.

sgould

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #1 on: 26 September 2011, 01:45:42 PM »
Welcome! :)

It's always easy to be wise after the event, but is the garage that checked your car a Saab dealer or Saab specialist?  If not they will not necessarily been able to read the error codes stored in the engine control memory.

A dealer or specialist should be able to read the codes at a cost of around £50 or so, maybe less at an independent specialist.  It usually works out cheaper to pay this, rather than have a general mechanic who is not familiar with Saabs changing random items and hoping to cure the problem.

There is also the situation that even if a fault is cured, the error codes may need to be cleared, or the car will still think that there's a fault.

If you tell us where you are based someone may be able to recommend a local specialist.
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Audax

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #2 on: 26 September 2011, 04:11:43 PM »
I'd also suggest that you take it to someone with Tech-II who can service program the ECU. Some cars have the original engine management software which can cause starting problems, with your car being a 2005 model then it's more likely to suffer from having early software than not so it's worth getting it checked and upgraded. If there's still a problem then you really need a diesel specialist, Saab specialist or main dealer to take a look. It's very unlikely to be the high pressure pump but more likely to be a faulty injector or EGR fault.

Saabman

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #3 on: 26 September 2011, 09:15:41 PM »
Heater plugs?

razique

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #4 on: 26 September 2011, 09:41:15 PM »
I'd also suggest that you take it to someone with Tech-II who can service program the ECU. Some cars have the original engine management software which can cause starting problems, with your car being a 2005 model then it's more likely to suffer from having early software than not so it's worth getting it checked and upgraded. If there's still a problem then you really need a diesel specialist, Saab specialist or main dealer to take a look. It's very unlikely to be the high pressure pump but more likely to be a faulty injector or EGR fault.
How would i Know that i need the software update? also if it is the injector then would it not be an issue all the time rather then only on starting the car after few hours of standing. I have been told by some garages that it seems it air lock (not sure what that is) some say leakoff pipe.

razique

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #5 on: 26 September 2011, 09:42:49 PM »
Heater plugs?
all new plugs fitted. also i have been told by the saab dealer that in this weather the glow plug should not make a difference.

Audax

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #6 on: 26 September 2011, 09:46:25 PM »
How would i Know that i need the software update? also if it is the injector then would it not be an issue all the time rather then only on starting the car after few hours of standing. I have been told by some garages that it seems it air lock (not sure what that is) some say leakoff pipe.

You need to take it to a dealer or specialist who has Tech-2 and access to service programming to find out about software updates. Also injector faults can manifest in many different ways, if a couple are below spec then the car still run. It's just an idea but to be honest it's all guess work with no fault codes or access to the car.

razique

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #7 on: 27 September 2011, 04:22:43 PM »
I have had Saab dealer check and change my actuator onlly six months ago and they did not say anything about my software needing newer veriosn or upgarded or anything. shouldn't they do that. I suppose they want you to take it to them and they charge again and make more out of you..

I have had my fuel filter cahnged today lets see what happens tomorrow morning.

razique

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #8 on: 28 September 2011, 09:03:45 AM »
changing the Fuel filter made no difference in starting had the same problem in morning today. any suggestion guys. I will try and book to Saab some time this week. I live in Birmingham not far from the city center. Can anyone recommend or live near in or around Birmingham who could have a look at this issue.

sgould

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #9 on: 28 September 2011, 01:28:18 PM »
Never used them myself, but there"s http://www.wmss.co.uk/  and http://www.bagnallsaab.com/  in Birmingham.

Maybe others. 
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Simon_C

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #10 on: 28 September 2011, 10:11:16 PM »
For a car software update, see here for getting it for £9.99:
http://www.saabserviceclub.co.uk/ssc/saab-software-update.php

I wouldn't be surprised if the Saab dealers haven't bothered checking to see if you have the latest software update. After all, it would require them to plug the Tech2 tool into a computer to check and unless there is a service bulletin to remind them that there is an update, I'd be surprised if they've even thought about it.

Cheers,
Si.

razique

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #11 on: 29 September 2011, 09:46:46 AM »
thanks Simon, when go to the site it ask for a membership number to get this offer.. where and how do i get the membership number from?

Max Headroom

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #12 on: 29 September 2011, 10:06:35 AM »
Razique, your membership number is generated when you register. You will need to remember it/make a note of it

razique

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #13 on: 05 October 2011, 09:16:35 AM »
i have upgraded the software on Monday  3rd October and this has made no difference.

Today i have realised that if I let the car roll and put it on 2nd gear and push start the car it starts almost straight away does that mean it is the starter motor and that needs replacing?
« Last Edit: 05 October 2011, 10:19:19 AM by razique »

Audax

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Re: Starting problem in the morning, Saab 9-3 1.9 diesel starting issue
« Reply #14 on: 05 October 2011, 05:24:48 PM »
It could be the starter motor, I've certainly seen that as a cause of bad starting in the past. One other point. You mentioned you got a local garage to replace an injector a while back, did they program the new injector to the car? There is a code on the injector that needs to be programmed in to the engine ecu, not sure if it's possible with anything other than a Tech-2.