Saab Maintenance and Repair

dhillam

i purchased a new 9.5 aero in november 2004. every time it is parked for over about 12 days the battery is totally flat. it happened on 4 occasions in 2005, the first 3 times it went back to the dealer who changed various things including the battery. when it failed a 4th time it was returned to Saab who kept it for 11 (ELEVEN) weeks. when it was returned to me it still went flat after being parked for the same time.

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW OF A SOLUTION TO THIS PROBLEM WHICH I HAVE BEEN TOLD IS UNIQUE, BUT I'M NOT SO SURE.

phollie

I have suffered from the Saab oil sludge issue. I had to trade in my vehicle as a result. It died on the highway (my wife was driving) and we had it towed in. I was told that the engine had sludge and that it had to be replaced.

Since it was a lease, I chose not to spend $6k for a car that was going to be turned in soon anyway.

I gave them receipts but Saab said it wasn't enough (even though its the receipts they asked for). Also, there was a leaking head gasket issue that was a warrenty repair. My coolant was leaking into the engine. Long run, they didn't pay so I rolled a ton of neg. equity into a new car (a Saab with big incentives). I love my new car, but boy, it burns me to know that I'm ultimately still paying for Saab's sludge issue. Anyone have any success with fighting them on the sludge issue?

shearattitude

Hi, I just bought this 1995 saab and last night the coolant level light was on so this a.m. I checked it and it was low, not empty just a little low, well, I put some antifreeze it in to the cold level, but then I realized I was supposed to use Saab only antifreeze!! I just put a little in, it was Peak antifreeze, will this be a problem?? Do I really need to use saab only antifreeze? And since it was such a small amount will it damage my beautiful little convertible???

Mr_Shiftright

Here's a site that can help you and I think sell you what you need (the dealer has this stuff also, of course) . Maybe you could call them up and ask a few questions. Apparently Saab used an anti-freeze that is meant specifically for alloy engines. I doubt that what you added is going to hurt anything, but I also believe in using the right fluids specified for the car.

cholman

I have a 1987 saab 900 turbo. Today the turbo appears to have stopped working, am i screwed ? am i o.k. to drive until i can have it looked at ? as you can tell, i don't know much about cars. but love my old saab...

Mr_Shiftright

What do you mean "stopped working"? How did you decide that?

No you aren't screwed but don't go to the dealer for a new turbo if it seized or something---they'll charge you more than the value of your entire car.

The turbo is easily removed and an independent shop can ship it out for a rebuild....if you do it all yourself, maybe $350, if a shop does it maybe $750, if a dealer does it maybe $1250.

2004saab93

I own a 2004 Saab 9-3 Linear and about every four months my low coolant light comes on and I'm about a pint low. I've had the dealership look at it a couple of times under warranty and pressure test the system. They have found nothing. They have put a dye in the system and still found nothing. They've opened a file with Saab Tech Service, but now my vehicle is out of warranty and I'm afraid we won't find out the problem until something bad happens. Any suggestions on what my problem could be? I haven't noticed any fluctuation in the engine temp gauge. Thanks,
concerned Saab owner

Mr_Shiftright

you might pressure test the cooling system, checking for external leaks and/or head gasket issues.

goldenidol

Hi John: Did you ever find out what the problem was with the shaking-when-braking at highway speeds? My 2000 9-3 is now doing that, and I'm being told it is the lower transmission mount collapsing --which allows the engine to buck under deceleration, causing the shake through the steering column. Regards, Al

ebethriggs

I have a 1999 Saab 9-3 turbo convertible with a factory audio system. I can turn on the radio/tape deck/cd player and it appears on the screen like everything is working fine but no sound comes out of the speakers. Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions. Thanks, Erin

joemoore1961

I have a 1996 Saab 900s Coupe (Automatic) that runs great, except when its below freezing, it sometimes will not start. I have taken this to local mechanic without any results, would anyone have any suggestions. Thanks!

Mr_Shiftright

How old is your battery? If you're not getting a good "spin" on the starter in cold weather, the car may not start. 4-5 years is max for a battery's most efficient life.

You might also switch to synthetic oil, which behaves much better in cold weather.

joemoore1961

The battery is about 2 years old. I will try the synthetic oil though, haven't been using that.
Thanks for the reply!

jpease

This happened to me over about a year. I kept adding coolant and the level kept dropping...Finally, after two visits, they found that the water pump was the problem. The pump was leaking when running, which is why there was never any coolant in the driveway.
Hope it helps,

limehouse1ange

hi ein, have you found the problem with your audio system as i am experiencing exactly the same thing, ive just bought my saab second hand and the problem was already there. bren.

spalding99

I recently purchased a 2001 Saab 9-3 with 40k from a dealer. As part of the deal, they replaced the front rotors, since I had noted a pulsing when braking. The brakes were fine for a short time; the pulse returned, and I brought the car into my shop. They replaced the rear rotors, which they said were bad, and I brought it back to the dealer, who replaced the new front rotors, which were now out of spec. The front rotors needed replacement again shortly thereafter, done by the dealer; again, everything was fine for a short time, and now the brakes are pulsing again at highway speeds. Although the front rotors have been replaced--this will be the fourth set in 10k miles--at no cost to me, I am concerned while the dealer seems content to keep on sending the rotors back to its supplier. The rotor problem seems to be related to driving in wet conditions, though I can't be sure. I live in the Pacific Northwest, where the summers are dry, and I'm concerned that, if the problem is related to wet conditions, I will put just enough miles on the rotors to put them out of warrantee before the wet fall arrives. Any ideas why these rotors may be failing?

Mr_Shiftright

Either they are aftermarket junk rotors, or were "turned" rather than replaced, or you live on top of a mountain with a puddle at the bottom of it? :P

spalding99

Well, they have been replaced rather than turned each time according to the dealer, and the dealer is reputable, but I have suspected the problem is due to a bad batch of rotors--but I've never heard of ths kind of problem. I drive over mountain passes but the grades are not steep enough to brake that much.

blondeblue

Just wanted to give everyone an update. $750 later and the head gasket was replaced. Had a tune-up, belts replaced etc. Car is running like a dream!!! Now, you know darn well that because she is running so well, I am falling in love with that car all over again!!! Yup, does not look as if the For Sale sign will be posted. I'll tell you, a Saab grabs your heart and you just can't let go. I don't know if I an really crazy about the new body style. How do the rest of you feel??

vahunter70

I am now VERY scared! I have a 2006 Aero (V6 Turbo) with 2,400 miles on it. The same thing happens to me every morning now. Outside temp does not matter and it only does it after having sat for 12 hours or more. Same as yours.

I took it to the dealer. They have had it for four days. They say I need a new fuel injector -- one of them is bad. They also tell me that it is going to take 4 weeks to get the part from Sweden.

Obviously, after reading your post, I now see this is not an issue limited to my little BRAND NEW Saab.

blondeblue

Hi,

Keep a really close eye on the coolant!!!! I never had a fluctuation in my engine temp gauge either, just had to add coolant every once in a while because it would be low, never any signs of where it was going but I ended up having to have the head gasket done because that was the problem. A lot of people told me there would be a rise in temp on the gauge, never saw one and yes, the gauge is working!

good luck!!
blondeblue 97 SAAB 900SE Turbo

hopefall

Hi
I just purchased a 2003 9-3. This morning when I started it up, the idle starting jerkinging up and down rapidly. As I backed out of my parking spot, the car jerked up and down (RPM's) as well, as if it was about to die and recovered again and again. This continued as a drove at low speeds. It even died once. It ran just ok on the freeway, but I could still feel the engine struggling. At one Stop sign, it accelerated very slowly, then picked up. Anyone ever had this problem or know what may be wrong? The shop can't get it in for 2 weeks!!!

rogereaton75

Hi Everyone,

I have a problem when advancing my radio presets using the steering wheel. If I listen to stations 3,4,7,8, or 11 for more than 5 seconds and hit the next button, the station will automatically go back to preset number 1. After two years this is getting to be annoying. I have been to over 5 Saab dealers in the LA/San Diego area and no one has a solution. I have had the radio replaced twice (each time resulting in different presets causing the radio to revert back to present number 1 so I know Clarion has a problem), the computer replaced twice, the steering wheel buttons replaced once and the system re-programmed three times. Some dealers say this is normal, some say Saab is aware of the problem and is working on a solution, and some say they have no idea. I tried calling Saab directly and they won't talk to me since I'm not a dealer. I wrote a letter to the president of Saab and no response.

I have had many problems with my car over the last two years. Nothing major, yet, but I am in the dealer at least once a month and have a stack of receipts about 2" thick sitting in my glove box.

Anyone have an idea on how to proceed? Anyone ever call Saab directly and get a service agent to visit them? If so, what did you say to get them to do it? This is my first and last Saab but I need it to last a little longer as it's only at 41k miles!

Thanks Everyone!

saablcp

bigFYI...Many post '99 Saabs are having start problems,followed by a minute or two of rough idle.I was having the problem with my 1,000 mile '06 9-5.The problem is caused by clogged fuel injectors due to the reformulated ,higher methanol content gas being sold in the Northeast.A bottle of injector cleaner,available at your Saab dealer as well as most auto parts stores, eliminated the problem for me immediately/I would strongly recommend trying this solution before waiting two weeks for an appointment.

hillfla

I am hoping someone can please help me. I just purchased (2 days ago!) a new 2006 9-3 sportcombi. I read the manual and changed my climate control setting using the SID profiler so that it would be single-zone instead of dual-zone. It works fine till I turn the car off - then next time I start the car it is always back to the default which is dual-zone. It did the same for the rear defroster setting which I changed from default as well.

Does anyone know the problem - is this a known issue and is there a software update or something to fix it? The build date on my car is Jan 2006.

Thanks!

hillfla

Never mind - a call to my salesman got it all figured out. Apparently after you change a setting you have to scroll down to the "default" settings and select "no" which tells it not to use the default settings any more. Loving the car!

vahunter70

BTW -- I just had to put my car BACK in the shop again last week for the same issue, after having all six fuel injectors replaced and the entire fuel system cleaned, along with an ignition coil being replaced.

NOW -- There is evidentely a repair bulletin coming from SAAB/GM regarding the need for a PCM replacement :mad: on 2006 9-3 Aero SS. My service tech just let me know about the expected bulletin. He stated that once they get the bulletin, he will be able to order the PCM and get it replaced. According to Saab, my car is safe to drive and will not suffer further damage.

We will see!

dwillig1

I have had 5 alternaters in this car. They keep failing. When the last one was installed a new voltage regulator was also installed and for 3 months that seemed to solve the problem. Now again the alternator is not charging the battery and is only putting out about 12.5 volts. The mechanic said the problem is not the alternator itself but there is a fault somewhere in the wiring. Battery is new. does anyone have any suggestions? Thanks.

dwillig1

Consider yourself lucky. The local Saab dealer charged me about $1450 for the same job. Coolant was leaking. That problem solved. Now I have several others. Time to replace the car, not another Saab though. It has 120,000 miles and I was trying to make it last. Did a Saab dealer do your work?

Mr_Shiftright

Are these cheesy rebuilds or a new Bosch unit?

If the wiring were no good, I don't see how the alternator would last three months.

If you have used the alternator to charge up completely dead batteries (that is, you get a jump start and then let the alternator charge the battery all the way up)...and if you've done this repeatedly, that'll kill an alternator sure as shootin'

vahunter70

BTW -- see my post about my 2006 Aero 9-3 SS.

It is now June 19, 2006. My BRAND NEW WITH LESS THAN 2,500 miles car has been having the same idle, check engine light and rough start problems since April 10, 2006. GM has not been able to fix it or EVEN DIAGNOSE THE PROBLEM! I was promised that my car would have the PCM fixed by mid-June. Well, it is past mid-June. Anyway, HOW DOES A powertrain control module HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH THE STARTING SEQUENCE???
:mad: :mad: :mad: :sick:

I have contacted a consumer protection law attorney to help me get GM to buy this piece of you know what back.

I will NEVER OWN ANOTHER SAAB!

vahunter70

Arthur,

I recommend getting a new car!

I have had nothing but problems with my 3-month old car and the dealer can't seem to fix any of them.

My Saab is a :lemon:

Sorry and good luck.

vahunter70

BTW-the dealer replaced my entire fuel rail, the ignition coils, and the wiring harness.

STILL THE SAME PROBLEM! UGH!

I think I have a :lemon:

The car is still not starting properly, the check engine light comes on and stays on and it idles roughly. I want my money back.

I will NEVER own another Saab. :mad:

cjeffab

Has anyone used Midas (or a similar service) to replace brakes on a Saab? The dealer wants to charge $550 and that seems a bit high. Dealer suggests that Midas parts are inferior; car will vibrate and I will be unhappy with repair. Sounded very saleslike to me. Previously I used Midas for a Ford Windstar and was satisfied with their work and price - 50% of the dealer price. Advice?

Mr_Shiftright

You get what you pay for basically. I'd suggest a middle ground between the extremes of the dealer and Midas.

cjeffab

Not sure I understand. What could I expect if I used Midas - less miles until the next brake service, inferior braking, or something else? I only drive my 2000 SE convertible about 5,000 miles a year and it only has 50,000 miles on it.

Mr_Shiftright

Well I think you could expect cheaper materials. As for the quality of the work, the problem is you never know what you're going to get. If I had one area of a car that I would not shop price it would be brake work, speaking just for myself of course.

blondeblue

Hi, no a local guy that works on foreign cars did the job, a great one I must say. Of course, its several months later and I had to have a clutch, flywheel and the other nuts and bolts that go along with that replaced. That, was done by the dealer for about $1200. So, here I am 73,000 mi and have an almost new car, don't you think?? So, now I'm pondering; do I run it for the winter and look next spring for something else or cut my losses now? I won't get another Saab. I'm not crazy about the look of the new ones. I have driven a new Acura TSX. Nice car, but, I think it needs a turbo. The engine whines it seems to me. Drove a Pontiac G6, hmm. No fireworks for me. Too cushy of a ride. Felt like I was sitting on a couch. Sigh!!! any ideas from anyone???

sadsaab2

i too am having the very same problem, and I am so distraught over how much time/worry/money this has already caused me.

Have you found a solution????? Just this morning, I picked up my car from a 4th shop that also cannot diagnose or even detect the problem! Sure enough, not a mile from the shop it began the erratic idle problem, revving the rpms, lights going dim.

somebody please help if you know any solutions. saab dealers have been useless and as soon as I figure out the problem, i'm selling the car and will never buy a saab again.

carnovice7777

I have a 91 900 with about 195,000 miles on it. It's now a backup car for me, and the car died recently on the road. While waiting for a tow, I found I couldn't shift the car out of park. It took quite a bit of strength move the car out of park into neutral so it could be towed. Once out of park, the shifter seemed to work as normal, but I couldn't get it back into park again. The local transmission shop told me the shifter seemed to be fine, but they couldn't tell for sure with the car not running. They said it needed a tune-up, which they are trying to charge me $600 for. Needless to say, I told them to forget about it, and I'm having the car towed back to my house where I can do the tune-up myself. I fiddled with the shifter some more, and it got stuck again. With force, it came loose again. The car won't turn over at all. Could that honestly be b/c it's in need of a tune-up? And does anyone have any thoughts on the gear shifter? Thanks for any responses. If the cost is too much, we may have to donate the car to charity, and my wife REALLY does not want to do that.

meganleigh

I am currently having the same problem. I had driven my car to work one day and when i was leaving, i unlocked my doors and went to start the car and the key would turn but an inch. Message kept popping up. Key not accepted, contact Saab dealer, immobilizer failure, try starting again. Its been sitting at my work for 2 days now. Cant call dealer till tomorrow, if anyone has any suggestions please let me know asap. Thanks

ballawinger

we have had this car for 3 months and it worked perfectly until it wouldn't back up in reverse. It is a 1999 9-3 and automatic transmission. It goes into reverse fine, like there's no problem, but the car won't move. We even put it in neutral and tried to push it backwards a little, but it won't move. This only happens 5% of the time. It is working fine now and we took it into the transmission shop and they have no idea what is wrong. any opinions on this? we really want to keep it, but scared it may do it again. it's happened twice in two weeks. thank you very much

liguor60

Hi all...quick question.
Are the rear brakes self-adjusting? In other words,when I go to change the pads, do I need to turn the piston when I compress it back into place? Is the rotation clockwise or counterclockwise?
Thank you.
liguor60

flyndrive1

Saab has a major sludge problem with the 2.0 turbo. My engine failed at 65,000 miles and all services performed, and another link has at least 40 messages concerning others who had engine failure. I talked to three mechanics at two dealerships and one Saab specific independent, they all say that Saab makes a poor engine. Saab extended the warranty, but I'm not sure the extension was in good faith. Buyer beware. Research the web before plunking $30+ grand

saablcp

NEXT TIME YOU ARE IN FOR SERVICE ASK ONE OF THE SERVICE WRITERS HOW MANY CUSTOMERS HE OR SHE HAS IN THEIR DATA BASE OF SAABS WITH OVER 100,000 MILES....OVER 150,000 MILES.ONE OF OUR LEAD TECHS JUST FINALLY TRADED IN HIS '90 9000 AERO WITH OVER 250,000 MILES.ON WHAT,YOU ASK????? A USED 2004 9-5 AERO!

flyndrive1

I stand by my statement. If you go to carsurvey.org, and look up the Saab 9-3 you will find at least 40 postings of people with sludge related engine failure. ALL at relatively low miles! There are more listings under the 9-5. I personally talked to three different mechanics who each had seen sludge engines, which shows this is not a rarity. The only reason I made this post is to make people aware that before they plunk down tens of thousands of dollars for a Saab, they should evaluate the risk of getting an engine well on the way to failure because of hidden sludge problems against getting one capable of going over 250,000 miles. Used Saab engines are quite expensive in the junk market as are short and long blocks. It is also very difficult to find parts to rebuild the engine yourself unless you want to purchase directly from the dealer at their prices. This was my second Saab. I purchased it based on my experience with my first Saab. I would not buy another, regardless of how much I like the handling and style. There are good alternatives.

daliesque

I bought a used '99 9-5 4cyl about a week ago w/out any problems. Now, whenever I start the car (regardless of time between starts) it will immediately stall. On the second try it will crank but not turn over. Then on the third try it turns over and runs fine. It's always the same three step routine. No funny ideling or reving and electonics all OK. I've been thinking of of adding a fuel injection cleaner but have yet to do so. Could this be a turbo issue? Any other opinions out there??

Mr_Shiftright

no, not turbo. I'd suspect low fuel pressure in the rail or a sensor problem.

daliesque

Anything I can do besides replace the fuel pump? Could I essentially keep starting the car this way w/ little problems assuming the pressure doesn't get any lower?

Mr_Shiftright

I guess if you had a manual you could test the fuel pressure and see if the pressure regulator is bleeding off when it shouldn't be. That pump would be an expensive guess if you are wrong.