Non-start

[sgould]

Twice this weekend my 9-5 has turned over and not fired.  Just cranked endlessly.

Both times it has started immediately on releasing the key and trying again.

Any ideas?

[Audax]

Probably a dodgy relay somewhere, had a similar (ish!) problem on one of my 9000's where it would randomly cut out, it happened about once every 100 miles or so... after much head scratching and desperation I replaced the fuel pump relay and it cured it.

Other possibility is a bad contact somewhere, try cleaning the connector on the bulkhead with some anti-oxidization spray, if you've got a spare DI you could try that too.

[harryO]

I have been contributing to the topic started by Bruce 'Starting issues', but your post reminded me that I once had a similar problem with a 9000. After a very long time I eventually traced it to the electrical part of the ignition switch. I posted on the 'other' forum a few times about the problem which seemed to affect vehicles with around 110 - 120K miles on the clock.

There are several pairs of contacts in the switch - a bit like those in a relay. These get burnt after thousands of make/break cycles and sometimes just one fails to make the circuit. The contacts to the lights and starter etc. may be OK, but those to the ignition fail to make properly. Try it a few more times or go back to it an hour later and everything is working fine. I might rig up a light to test the theory, because while the switch on the 9000 is really easy to get at and replace, swapping one on a 9-5 is much more time consuming.

[sgould]

If the ignition switch is faulty, would the engine turn over?

[Audax]

Ignition switch is certainly a possibility, they can turn the engine over but not other circuits.

[SaabLee]

plug/DI cassette for me. I had the same issue and was actually the plugs for some reason, they looked fine but the cassette jsut didnt like them so put a new set in and all was good.

[harryO]

Looked into the ignition switch possibility a bit more today. The switch is very similar to the 9000. Metal fixing plate is different of course - the 9000 one costs much less - and terminals C and C1 are missing. I think these connect to the auto box switch on the 9000.

Anyway, just inserting the key, pushes a small nylon post that makes a connection between 30 (12v +) and the B terminal, then 1st position connects 30 to X, 2nd position connects 30 to 15 and 54. Starting connects 30 to 50, which is the relay for the starter motor.

The B terminal only appears to supply power to the DICE and TWICE units. X terminal supplies headlights. 15 supplies ABS, MIU and airbags. 54 supplies cruise, window lifts, indicators. (these are not the full list of components for X, 15 and 54, but you get the idea)

In view of the above, a strong suspect for a poor contact is B. I am guessing that the car would not start if there was no voltage to the DICE or TWICE. If another set of contacts failed, then other components would not be working and a check could be made.

PS the terminals referred to are actually marked on the ignition switch and shown in circuit diagrams.

[stevetreacy]

Hi

Have you tried your spare key?

steve

[harryO]

Hi. Yes. It has been a long standing problem and I swapped the keys last year when the battery was low on the key I was using. Discovered today that Saab changed the design of the ignition switch on the 'facelift' models which is a bit annoying, as I have a nearly new part  for the earlier one.

I have now wired a small light bulb and switch onto fuse 5 which feeds the DICE and TWICE. If it comes on and the car does not start, then it is not the B contact which is playing up. I can then use it to replace fuses which are fed from X then 15/54. If they all check out OK, then it's back to the drawing board!

[welshwizard]

Twice this weekend my 9-5 has turned over and not fired.  Just cranked endlessly.

Both times it has started immediately on releasing the key and trying again.

Any ideas?

Strange   mine did the same on Saturday 2nd...it's not recurred since

[collywobble]

Probably aliens then, bombarding the earth with their death rays........!

[welshwizard]

Must have been another alien attack last night... DE wouldn't start this morning and it was serviced recently

Whether there may be a problem with the car (4 years old 48k mile) or the fact it's been sitting idle for a week with about a gallon in the tank I don't know but I need to see the dealer to reset the service indicator anyway

[sgould]

Mine started this morning.......


You can reset the service indicator yourself on the Dame Edna. 

With ignition on and the car NOT started (I think). Press the brake pedal and then hold the Clear button on the steering wheel for up to 10 seconds.

If it doesn't work try starting the engine!!

This will do the same as the dealer reset.  You will get the next notification in 12 months or 18,000 miles etc. whatever the service programme is for your car.

[harryO]

Just replaced the ignition switch. It is a completely different animal to that on the earlier model, but looks like it might come apart for cleaning. I bought the whole part - mechanical and electrical - but choose the easier option of just replacing the electrical part. If anyone wants the new mechanical part, I am about to list it on 'parts for sale'. I will include the old electrical part which is a 'suspect' for the occasional poor starting!