Help! No codes, no start, no run...

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JHZR2

JHZR2

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My 04 saab 9-3 (55k) has sat for a while recently, but started just fine and we gave driven it about 70 miles. All of a sudden it has stranded us on the side of the road (where I'm posting this from).

No codes (I have a scangauge and checked), no cel, everything seems to work fine, but it cranks and won't start.

I've checked all the relays and fuses. No bad fuses and each relay "clicks" when I energize it. Pressed the schrader on the fuel line at the engine, and fuel sprayed out under pressure and smelled like fuel...

Every once in a while when trying to crank, it stutters a tiny bit (of course doesn't catch), and then usual no start.

Any ideas???
 
If you manage to get it running without actually doing anything but letting it sit...I would suspect it to be the coil.
 
I don't have starting fluid on the side of the road...

No distributor. The car had been running for literally 70 miles of interstate and local roads, up to high speeds and all, no problem.




I was wondering if I had water in my fuel line... I bled all the gas out, and now just get a hiss of vapor. Cycling the key doesn't seem to cause new fuel to come out... Does that mean dead fuel pump? I can't hear this one spin up the way I can on other cars, but that has always been the case...
 
Originally Posted By: fdcg27
Bad ground to computer, maybe?


I can still pull codes (or verify none) from my scangauge, so does this mean it's ok? No cel either...
 
How many coils does this car have? Typically a failed coil will throw a misfire code though.

I keep thinking "Fuel, spark, timing, compression". That would cover it if it were an old school engine.

You've checked fuel.

- Timing belt? (probably not if it sputters and cranks with no carnage).

I'd start looking for bad grounds I guess. It's got to be electrical. I'm guessing a flatbed is in your near future unfortunately. You've done mostly everything you can.
 
Originally Posted By: Warstud
If you manage to get it running without actually doing anything but letting it sit...I would suspect it to be the coil.


Not yet and the engine is down to half normal temp...
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
I don't have starting fluid on the side of the road...

No distributor. The car had been running for literally 70 miles of interstate and local roads, up to high speeds and all, no problem.






I was wondering if I had water in my fuel line... I bled all the gas out, and now just get a hiss of vapor. Cycling the key doesn't seem to cause new fuel to come out... Does that mean dead fuel pump? I can't hear this one spin up the way I can on other cars, but that has always been the case...


Good point. Our odyssey behaved this way when we got water in the fuel tank. I think you're onto something there. Did you notice a fuel truck the last place you fueled up? Was it raining out at the time?

Fuel pump or fuel filter is a possibility.
 
No distributor usually means multiple coils (1 coil per cylinder). I have had a single coil failure. It results in rough idle and misfire CEL on 1 cylinder.

Was the tank full or empty when the car sat for a while? If it was empty or close to it, condensation/water is suspect. I just don't understand how that would occur after driving for a while. Typically, water in the tank causes problems after the vehicle has been sitting and the water has had a chance to settle out to the bottom.

To rule it out, do you have access to any methyl hydrate?
 
If you could get a hold of some starting fluid, even WD-40, that would confirm you have spark or not. Since you're no longer getting any fuel out of the rail, that sounds like the pump went bad.
 
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
How many coils does this car have? Typically a failed coil will throw a misfire code though.

I keep thinking "Fuel, spark, timing, compression". That would cover it if it were an old school engine.

You've checked fuel.

- Timing belt? (probably not if it sputters and cranks with no carnage).

I'd start looking for bad grounds I guess. It's got to be electrical. I'm guessing a flatbed is in your near future unfortunately. You've done mostly everything you can.


No misfires ever. I was actually thinking how happy I was that the engine was running so smooth and powerful on gas that is from around march...

The 2.0t engine has a chain, can't imagine it is bad.

If I bled the fuel out from the schrader, and then cycled the key (on or crank it), shouldn't I see fuel in the line again coming out, right?

Fuel pump relay and fuse seem ok... I feel the relay click...
 
Originally Posted By: JHZR2
Originally Posted By: Jim 5
How many coils does this car have? Typically a failed coil will throw a misfire code though.

I keep thinking "Fuel, spark, timing, compression". That would cover it if it were an old school engine.

You've checked fuel.

- Timing belt? (probably not if it sputters and cranks with no carnage).

I'd start looking for bad grounds I guess. It's got to be electrical. I'm guessing a flatbed is in your near future unfortunately. You've done mostly everything you can.


No misfires ever. I was actually thinking how happy I was that the engine was running so smooth and powerful on gas that is from around march...

The 2.0t engine has a chain, can't imagine it is bad.

If I bled the fuel out from the schrader, and then cycled the key (on or crank it), shouldn't I see fuel in the line again coming out, right?

Fuel pump relay and fuse seem ok... I feel the relay click...


I would think so. Need fuel pressure when the injectors open.
 
If your with someone... have them turn the key while you lay under the car near the gas tank and listen for the pump turning on.
 
Seeing as you're on the side of the road, I did some googling for you and found a few suggestions on a Saab forum. None of this is likely field repairable on the side of the road:

- Bad Crank position sensor: a faulty crankshaft position sensor will cause the fuel pump to not CONTINUE to run when trying to start. This is a safety to keep from dumping fuel into an engine that isnt running. The engine control module will only run the fuel pump for a breif moment when you turn the key to on and then it cuts off. It will only continue to run the pump if it receives a crank signal verifying that the engine is turning.


- Bad Fuel Filter

- Bad Fuel Pump

- Failure in the +12v to the fuel pump (or relay which you've ruled out)

- Failed/dislodged fuel line in pump assembly

- Bad check valve at the fuel pump
 
I would pound the gas tank by hand the ignition on to see if it "jump starts" the pump. I know GM trucks/SUVs are bad about pumps dieing from 88-07 or so. I have told many people this and it has let them get home.
Fuel filter??
Let us know how it goes.
Dusty
 
Wow, live troubleshooting right here on BITOG
laugh.gif


I feel inspired, I think I'll go change my oil now
laugh.gif
 
Last edited:
Originally Posted By: DrDusty86
I would pound the gas tank by hand the ignition on to see if it "jump starts" the pump. I know GM trucks/SUVs are bad about pumps dieing from 88-07 or so. I have told many people this and it has let them get home.
Fuel filter??
Let us know how it goes.
Dusty


Should have tried this... Pulled the back seat and started slamming down... Oh well...
 
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