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Saab 9-3 Maintenance and Repair

44 messages,  Last post on Feb 02, 2013 at 6:47 AM

You are in the Saab 9-3 Forum.

What is this discussion about? Saab 9-3, Steering, Convertible, Sedan, Wagon

    

Messages Page 4 of 5

#29 of 44 1999 9-3 Rough idle and take off by bluedogs

Jul 30, 2008 (3:14 pm)

My '99 Saab 9-3 is giving me fits. I just bought it a week ago from an individual but didn't do my home work before buying. the car has 133K miles, but I have heard nothing but good things about Saabs, so I bought it. Problem is, the thing just does not idle smoothly and when I give it gas to take off it sputters and acts as if it will die--and has a couple of times. I've changed the plugs, O2 sensors, new fuel filter, air filter, and ran diognostics at a mechanic's garage. We just cannot figure out what is going on. Mechanic says I should wait till the fuel injector cleaner has run it's course before doing anything else. Well, it has run it's course and nothing has changed. But, when the thing gets going it runs great! Any help will be greatly appreciated.

#30 of 44 Re: 1999 9-3 Rough idle and take off [bluedogs] by waterdr

Jul 30, 2008 (7:38 pm)

Replying to: bluedogs (Jul 30, 2008 3:14 pm)
Whoever told you that has neither owned a Saab or worked on one - lol.
 
On to serious business.....has the car been road-tested with a data-logger?
 
Since you have already replaced the likely culprits, there are still a few more areas that you can check. Vacuum leak? It could also be a sensor problem. Thing is about sensors, a bad sensor can give you a "good" reading because the sensor is broken. I am not sure about Saabs, but a lot of cars work in "closed-loop" control until they warm up. This means that the car's ECU is controlling the spark and fuel addition based on the built-in fuel tables and not using the O2 sensors. Once it warms-up, the the O2 sensors provide feedback.
 
I would ask a Saab technician about what sensors might be in use during "closed-loop" vs "open-loop" and that may help you deduce the likely problem.
 
You could also have a bad Idle Air Controller. This device is supposed to control your idle speed. However, the fact that the car sputters when you add fuel makes it not look liek an IAC problem. When an IAC is at fault, it will generally die warm or cold, and not sputter when you add fuel.

#31 of 44 Re: 1999 9-3 Rough idle and take off [waterdr] by bluedogs

Aug 03, 2008 (1:30 am)

Replying to: waterdr (Jul 30, 2008 7:38 pm)
Hi,
Thanks for the advice. Yes, we did road test the car with a diagnostic computer if that is what you meant about a data-logger. It all tested good. Now the car runs slightly better than before, but it takes several tries just to get it started--and this is not cold weather starting...
 
I don't see any vacuum hoses that need replacing or that are not connected. I did however put some Sea Foam cleaner in the gas tank when I filled up last. Although I ran Slik 50 through the previous tank.
 
Can the sludge problem that I hear of be any threat? I just put half a can of Sea Foam cleaner in the crankcase also. Will have the oil changed this week.
 
Again thanks for your advice. I'm just puzzled and fearful that I bught someone else's problem.
 
-Mark

#32 of 44 Re: 1999 9-3 Rough idle and take off [bluedogs] by bostondaphne

Sep 24, 2008 (9:32 am)

Replying to: bluedogs (Aug 03, 2008 1:30 am)
Hi Mark,
 
What resolved your starting and stalling problem. I am experiencing the same issue with a 03 9-3.
 
Thanks,

#33 of 44 Re: 1999 9-3 Rough idle and take off [bostondaphne] by bluedogs

Sep 25, 2008 (12:19 am)

Replying to: bostondaphne (Sep 24, 2008 9:32 am)
Hi,
I suppose I had a moment of hope. False hope that is. The car still runs terribly. I had a former Saab tech look at it last week and he thinks I need a new Direct Ignition Cassette. Can't afford it right now, but he thinks that should do it. Another tech--non-Saab thinks I need to get the fuel pressure checked before doing anything... Please let me know if you have any success with yours.
-Mark

#34 of 44 HELP! '99 Saab 9-3 by bluedogs

Sep 25, 2008 (12:26 am)

Must crank at least 5 or 6 times before it finally and roughly starts. Slow, bogged take-offs. Nearly constant surges when idling. But when going down the road it will fly! It is really fast and runs great when driving. I've had several techs look at it and put a computer to it. MAP sensor is good; all hoses seem to be fitted properly; both O2 sensors replaced; new plugs... One tech thinks I may need a new Direct Ignition Cassette. I've heard that those can go instantly? But he claime they can slowly decline? Any help is greatly appreciated, as I'm about to get full, low deductible insurance and burn the thing!!!

#35 of 44 98 Saab Convertible - Running Extremely Hot by olearymag

Oct 03, 2008 (3:40 pm)

My 98 Saab is running extremely hot, just replaced radiator and still running extremely hot, the old radiator was singed (white) at the bottom of the radiator, the head gasket was deemed OK, thermostat opens OK. temperature gauge reads normal temperature. Any suggestions appreciated.
  
olearymag

#36 of 44 Re: 98 Saab Convertible - Running Extremely Hot [olearymag] by olearymag

Oct 06, 2008 (5:45 am)

Replying to: olearymag (Oct 03, 2008 3:40 pm)
ok

#37 of 44 re by beatricelasaab

Jan 30, 2009 (7:33 pm)

I had a similar problem to yours on my '99 93.Check the vacum hose near the air filter it connects to a small plastic cylinder that opens and closes it's smaller than a golf ball and looks a bit like a funnel.Sometimes it sends a message to the computer if it does'nt work but in my case it didn't.I changed it and my car got back to normal.My specialist had a few clients that had the same problem.Give it a shot,the part is not expensive!

#38 of 44 Re: 1999 9-3 Rough idle and take off [bluedogs] by betsyhanson

Nov 05, 2010 (8:23 am)

Replying to: bluedogs (Jul 30, 2008 3:14 pm)
I'm sorry you bought the car. I am trying to get rid of my 99 9-3 with 130 K after putting way too much money in it the past few years and time in the repair shop. Recently experienced rough idling and stalling - had crank sensor replaced but that didn't solve the problem and eventually had to replace the fuel pump after it failed to start. This week the radiator started leaking and is now in the shop for that to be replaced. Another costly repair. We have trying to maintain the car meticulously it looks new but there are so many little annoying things wrong with the car and things are constantly breaking. My advice: sell ASAP before you end up with more headaches and run out of money!

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