Messages

1

Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Re: SID Pixel failure

« on: 25 September 2012, 01:24:29 PM »

I realise I am late to this thread, but I felt I should make people aware of a self repair that is possible on the SIDS display.  I mentioned it in my review of my Saab 93 but not in a specific SID topic.  There will no doubt be people regularly looking for solutions as it is a common problem.

It fails because of weak contacts of the ribbon cable between the display and the circuit board.

I carefully took my SIDs unit apart and placed a piece of foam about 6mm thick and <10mm wide over the contacts before putting the circuit boards back together.  I reassembled the SIDs and put it back in the car.  Two years later I still have a perfect pixel display and have not had to have the unit out again or readjust it.  If I needed to I would be able to remove the foam to allow another form of repair, there was no soldering or adhesive involved.

If only the bulkhead crack, rear main seal leak, neutral safety switch failure and water pump leak were so easily fixed..... Still love the car though.

Regards, Mark.

2

Classic Saab 900 (1979-1993) incl. Saab 99 and Saab 90 models (1969 to 1984) / Re: No hot start - solenoid?

« on: 29 July 2011, 06:25:22 AM »

Check the neutral safety switch is not still wired in somehow.  When mine was playing up I had the symptoms you described.  Usually to be found on top of the transmission, beneath the battery case.  I hope that they removed it when the manual conversion was done.

I am intrigued that you have changed it.  It is something I frequently contemplate, but while the auto box is good I will keep going.  It is the best automatic car I have driven, but nothing betters a manual.

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Classic Saab 900 (1979-1993) incl. Saab 99 and Saab 90 models (1969 to 1984) / Re: No hot start - solenoid?

« on: 26 July 2011, 03:15:57 PM »

Is your car automatic or manual transmission?

4

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: What you got?

« on: 22 July 2011, 03:04:14 PM »

As per my review in the relevant forum, Saab 9-3 S Convertible, 2000 model, 160000km on the clock, no mods.

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Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: 9-5 Intermittent starting.

« on: 21 July 2011, 10:31:54 AM »

Interesting alternative to my usual thoughts regarding the range switch or crank position sensor.

Well done on cracking it, some more knowledge for us all.

6

Classic Saab 9-5 (MY 1998-2010) / Re: Turn the key - nothing happens

« on: 21 July 2011, 03:36:58 AM »

Does this occur when you have not used the car for a while, or does it occur when you have made a short trip to the filling station, for example,  and the car has not fully warmed up?  When you return after paying, you find it will not start?

It could be something elusive like mikeloadsasaabs issue, or it could be one of the more common automatic transmission Saab problems, such as the neutral safety switch (NSS) (also called range switch) or the crank position sensor.

If it occurs when the car is stone cold, I would say it is probably not the NSS as that seems to be a failure that affects Saabs after short trips and resolves when the engine cools below a certain point. 

If it is the NSS, there are various things on Saab websites describing people wiring switches in to bypass it (I am not sure that's a great idea), to pouring water on the switch to cool it when the fault occurs and then the car will start.  That can be an inexpensive way of excluding or confirming a diagnosis.

Ultimately, if it is the NSS it will need replacing.  It cost about A$500 over here but I imagine it may be cheaper in the UK.

Good luck, be sure to let us know what the outcome is.

7

Saab in the news / Re: Saab aims to sell 30,000 vehicles annually in the United States

« on: 17 July 2011, 03:01:09 PM »

It is a strange car.  I think they would have been better off concentrating on a 'core' Saab, such as a new 9-3 convertible, or 9-3 coupe.  People identify with that type of Saab.  Throw in something special to attract people, rather than just a bandwagon jumping crossover.  However, perhaps the market for these SUVs will hold up in the US.  I see them beginning to become less popular elsewhere.

I have a colleague who has a three year old 9-3 convertible that is coming up to the end of lease.  He likes it, but leases for business reasons.  He would like another convertible.  However, he is not sure why he needs to pay A$10 - 15 000 more than he paid for this one three years ago to get a basically unchanged vehicle so is looking around at other options and will probably leave Saab.  The fact that the value of the Australian dollar has changed considerably in that time only adds to his displeasure.

On the flip side, the 9-4x if it was available in diesel would probably be the only car in the Saab range that would fit my family car requirements and at least it looks a lot better than the 9-7x.

8

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: When did new cars get so expensive?

« on: 16 July 2011, 01:16:30 PM »

The Holdens have a large GM influence plus Korean manufacturing influence.  The Fords I am less sure about, but I know that the Ford Falcon I had the misfortune of driving for the best part of a year was a primitive dog of a car with appalling resale value at the other end.  Even the most passionate purchasers of Australian made products are turning away in their droves.

Japanese and Korean cars dominate the market.  If you want to criss-cross the country by car, you need a Ford, Holden, Toyota or Mitsubishi because otherwise you will find dealer support etc. difficult.  It is my bad luck that I find them so boring and therefore continue to pay through the nose for European cars.

9

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: What car would you have if it wasn't a Saab?

« on: 16 July 2011, 01:53:15 AM »

Last year I had £1500 for a large estate - either a 9-5 or a V70. At that price we're talking late 1990s. I had sold my classic 9-3 a couple of years before, but never driven a 9-5. In the end I went for the V70, as I reckoned at that vintage it'd be less trouble, plus you get a 5-cyl engine. £1200 later I got probably one of the best value cars I've ever had, glorious engine, solid build, easy to work on (not that I've had to) and I have to say I'm a bit of a convert. I'd say the 9-3 was more comfortable and rode the roads better but 3000+rpm on a 5cyl is very addictive...

I still pine for the 1997 V70 we left behind in the UK. Brought with low mileage, FSH and in beautiful condition in 2004.  Never gave us a moment's trouble, smooth, reliable, comfortable and quick.  I am not sure I will ever find another estate quite like it.  The current Audi does not come close.

10

Classic Saab 9-3 & GM900 (MY 1994-2002/03CV) / Re: Starting problems on 2002 9-3

« on: 16 July 2011, 01:50:16 AM »

Another vote for the crankshaft position sensor.  Replacing the NSS was a sensible first step as I believe in nine times out of ten, that's the problem.  When it fails, then CPS.  It is not much consolation but at least you know you are not facing the NSS problem in the near future once the CSS is sorted.

Mark.

11

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: When did new cars get so expensive?

« on: 16 July 2011, 01:48:28 AM »

Hello Geoff.

I think there are some hefty import taxes and there is also luxury car tax, payable on cars above about A$60000 at a rate of 33% of the initial tax free price.  There is also the 10% Goods and services tax on any car.  I think the pricing I alluded to at my local Saab dealer is an effort to get below that threshold.  Additionally, in Victoria, one has to pay stamp duty.  I forget the rate currently. 

The main problem is that the government has effectively ring-fenced things.  There is almost no other way to get a car.  Obviously geography makes it difficult to do as we did in Britain ten years ago, simply nip across to Europe and buy a cheap car.  But notwithstanding that, it is almost impossible to import a car here.  One person migrating to Australia can import one car, as long as they can demonstrate ownership and usage for at least one year in the home country and as long as it can meet Australian Design Rules, and as long as one can afford the various import costs etc.  The only other way is if it is a classic on a prescribed list.

So, only recognised manufacturers can import cars, meaning they do not have to become competitive on price and the consumer gets whacked on the price of new and old.

12

Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: When did new cars get so expensive?

« on: 15 July 2011, 10:49:38 AM »

The price of used cars in the UK is bliss compared to here in Australia.  New 9-3 XWD @ the equivalent of £46000 anybody?

My local dealer has a special offer at the moment, lopping a whacking $21000 off.  That brings it to £32000, still about £8000 more than in the UK.

As for the German marques.... horrible

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Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: O/T When did you first use the internet?

« on: 15 July 2011, 10:43:49 AM »

It would have to be 1995 when I visited a friend at Uni who took me to the computer lab to show me how the whole thing worked.

About a year later my college got internet access, the days of Netscape Navigator, and I registered my first email address with hotmail.  Soon got shot of them when spam started to mount up, so changed through various until settling on Gmail shortly after it came out.

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Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: Where are we all from?

« on: 15 July 2011, 10:41:42 AM »

London originally, more recently Norfolk and now just outside of Melbourne, Australia.

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Off-topic chat, Help, Advice, General motoring issues / Re: What car would you have if it wasn't a Saab?

« on: 15 July 2011, 10:38:14 AM »

My Saab is my fun car.

The practical family car at the moment is an Audi Allroad, which is a nice drive indeed.  However, at seven years old it is not standing the test of time in the way my V70 did in the UK and therefore I am not sure I would look at another Audi.  Pay hugely up front but the quality does not seem to be all it appears in the cabin.  We have also had problems with the air suspension (fixed myself thanks to superior replacement parts from the USA) and the cooling system since purchasing it just over six weeks ago.

I have also had a BMW in the past and was underwhelmed.

Therefore, given my requirement being similar to somebody else above, I would have to say the Volvo XC70 would be first choice, followed by the Skoda Ocatvia Scout.  If I had to replace the convertible with a non-Saab I would in all likelihood look towards a Jaguar of some sort.