Saab Tech Talk (STT)

Workshop for current Saab models => Saab 9-3 Sport Saloon / Convertible / Combi (Wagon/Estate) / Turbo X / AWD (2003 on) => Topic started by: sean treacy on 04 August 2014, 04:04:59 PM

Title: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 04 August 2014, 04:04:59 PM
Hi all.have had my 9-3 auto now for around seven months and in this time I have experienced three times including today a temporary what seems to be a reduction in power.as today went to local garage,refuelled (a very common habit with a 9-3 v6 lol) and got underway to a day out at a water park with the kids.on way there went to overtake and car was like had lost 100 horses but still run so so smooth.any way on way home car was same for 10 mins then got full power back and hirsch normality was resumed.any pointers on this.could it be a faulty fuel cap?
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sgould on 04 August 2014, 04:27:32 PM
Not happened to us (yet!) but is this the reported failure in the EVAP valve?

I haven't even found the valve on our car yet...
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 04 August 2014, 04:36:17 PM
Uum,not really sure sqould.do you mean like the 9-5 suffered with where you had to use a bolt to divert one of the pipes from the bpv??? .i had that issue with a previous early 9-5 aero.these v6,s don't have that set up do they?.will have to see how it progresses,just hope it's not a software issue.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sgould on 04 August 2014, 04:39:38 PM
Completely different set-up.  But I've heard of two or three EVAP valve failures.  I'm not near my laptop with the parts list at the moment.  I think it's just a replacement valve that's needed (if that's the fault!).

The reason I brought the suggestion up, is that I remember someone else saying the problem came to light after filling up the car.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 04 August 2014, 04:44:31 PM
Yes I thought they were different.could you let me know the part number when you get chance in case that is the issue.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sgould on 04 August 2014, 05:15:36 PM
This one

Article : EVAP canister purge valve
PartNo : 12593761
Order Quantity : 1

Item 13 in the parts diagram.

Item 8 in the WIS picture.

Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 04 August 2014, 05:34:06 PM
Many thanks sqould.that's the one for the v6 yes..?
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sgould on 04 August 2014, 06:16:50 PM
Yes, it is.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sgould on 04 August 2014, 06:44:17 PM
I think this is the thread I remembered

http://www.uksaabs.co.uk/UKS/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=132753

But note the conclusion.  Pity he didn't say what the wiring fault was.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 04 August 2014, 08:59:56 PM
Yes sqould,crazy why the guy never said what the fault was as mine does have those symptoms ,ie fails to start straight away after fuelling.never mind ,will maybe try a purge valve first.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 09 August 2014, 06:05:41 PM
Just to update this thread.i did change the evac purge valve which I purchased from a vauxhall dealer as a Bosch part same as on vectra vxr.running great at the moment but did not help starting issue after refuelling.still takes 5to 6 seconds turning engine over with foot to the floor.will have to see how things progress.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 05 November 2014, 05:02:22 PM
Update on this issue.having changed the evac purge valve back in august the car has ran fine and shown no sighn of reduced power whatsoever so seems to have cured that fault.thanks sqould for your help with this.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sgould on 05 November 2014, 09:08:34 PM
Glad you have sorted this.

But I note your second to last post that you mention starting with your "foot to the floor".  Don't do this!  Foot to the floor when starting cuts the fuel off.  It's a way of allowing a flooded engine to dry out.

Note: I haven't checked this on the V6, but it's what happens with Trionic engine management.  V6 has Bosch Motronic engine management.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 07 November 2014, 05:24:24 PM
ThaNks will.should I just turn the engine over after refuelling not touching the throttle and see if car starts.is this normal then will with that engine management system.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: Audax on 07 November 2014, 05:50:22 PM
Quote from: sean treacy on 07 November 2014, 05:24:24 PM
ThaNks will.should I just turn the engine over after refuelling not touching the throttle and see if car starts.is this normal then will with that engine management system.

No modern car (that I know of!) needs application of throttle when starting. The best thing to do with a Saab is select neutral and put your foot on the clutch (or park and put foot on brake if auto) and turn the key without doing anything else, certainly no application of the throttle.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 08 November 2014, 06:45:45 PM
Thanks audax.i did try today after refuelling as you say by not touching the throttle and car started but was lumpy for a second or two then ran fine.would this be the norm or is there an underlining issue.i was up at m k saabcentre last week and should have asked a day but forgot.any pointers.
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: Audax on 08 November 2014, 07:08:30 PM
Quote from: sean treacy on 08 November 2014, 06:45:45 PM
would this be the norm or is there an underlining issue.

Couple of things with the V6, one was lumpy running with the original software, no idea if it's been updated or not but if it has been to Hirsch I would expect it has, That's worth checking anyway. Also I've been told that the ignition coils can fault up and cause this problem which goes away when warmer, I have no idea how you diagnose it though as I was told it's guesswork!
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 09 November 2014, 05:27:51 PM
Yes audax it was hirsched with software only from new.dont know if this could be relevant...
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: Audax on 09 November 2014, 05:32:12 PM
Quote from: sean treacy on 09 November 2014, 05:27:51 PM
Yes audax it was hirsched with software only from new.dont know if this could be relevant...

Hmmmn, it would be worth taking it somewhere that knows about Hirsch and can do Hirsch upgrades and see what they say. I have no experience with Hirsch IPRO (which is what is used to program Hirsch mods, not Tech-II) other than having to send a TTID to a main dealer who did have the kit to do a software upgrade to a car that had been Hirsched as it just wasn't possible using Tech-II. Annoyingly the main dealer didn't know anything about the reasons behind the software upgrade we needed to perform though as they didn't read the service bulletins!
Title: Re: Infrequent power change
Post by: sean treacy on 09 November 2014, 07:55:58 PM
Thanks for the input.i need to go back up to m.k saabcentre soon so will ask any if he has any ideas about this issue.