My Saab story

[Stelth]

Got a 2001 Saab 9-5 SE (v-6) used about a year ago. It ran fine for a while, but then the problems started. I just finished replacing the turbo cartridge (CHRA), which is one of the most complicated jobs I've ever done. That was successful, and the car mostly runs pretty well now.

I've also repaired a huge leak at the oil cooler, replaced the abs module, replaced the cam cover gaskets, and a few "minor" things as well.

Now I'm having throttle body troubles, and I'm not sure if it's time to cut my losses and buy a different car, or dive into the throttle body. I'm getting a P1230 and the throttle body is going into limp-home mode. Been reading all the Saab boards I can find, and I'm still not quite sure what to do. I've reset the TB several times, but it keeps happening.

 

[BrianWC]

The v-6 9-5 of that vintage can be problematic with stuff like that. It was a haven compared to the 4 cyl, with its sludge problems, but made up for it in other areas.

So you tried saabnet and saabcentral? What was the consensus? I had an 01 4 cyl 9-5 so the v-6s are foreign to me. Looking on car-part.com, I see you can get a used replacement TB in good shape for around $100...

 

[HerrStig]

I put 400K on a SAAB built before GM took them over. It had the usual SAAB problems (over and over) but I put up with them and enjoyed a lot about the car. Stupid things like the Herr Bosch AC idle up valve failing many times, or the Herr Bosch alternator eating brushes got to me although the mechanical injection worked without flaws. . It was a safe car and the very predictable handling saved my *** more than once. I might still have it if the front subframe didn't rust out.
That being said, there is a whole lot more info on how care for Toyota products, for example, on the "net" than there will be about SAAB in the future, and parts suppliers will disappear. Probably time to say "so long" and THANKS, GM, who are adept at pointing fingers elsewhere.

 

[BrianWC]

Meh, there are tons of SAAB parts out there and will be long enough to drive that car into the ground. I loved my 9-5, sludger be darned. It was a comfy interstate cruiser. I only traded b/c my wife wanted a van and no way it made sense to get rid of our CR-V, which was more useful and lower mileage.

 

[sleddriver]

I drove an '85 900T for 14yrs (256k miles) and encountered my fair share of quirks. Pre-GM and the 4cyl SAAB motor. One weird thing was the deteriation of the wire insulation in the engine compartment. Over time it became very soft and would just come off! Have you noticed this on your car?

It could also be the TB is getting tired and needs to be replaced. Not sure how to test one though as mine was never replaced.

 

[123Saab]

Originally Posted By: sleddriver
I drove an '85 900T for 14yrs (256k miles) and encountered my fair share of quirks. Pre-GM and the 4cyl SAAB motor. One weird thing was the deteriation of the wire insulation in the engine compartment. Over time it became very soft and would just come off! Have you noticed this on your car?
.


hahaha, My -85 900 SPG had the exact same problem, For one year Saab used a "Organic" coating on the wires and they just rotted away.

I ended up replacing almost all wiring, one by one.

Still have the car, Still love it.

 

[sleddriver]

Originally Posted By: 123Saab
My -85 900 SPG had the exact same problem, For one year Saab used a "Organic" coating on the wires and they just rotted away. I ended up replacing almost all wiring, one by one. Still have the car, Still love it.

One year??? Oh geesh. . what luck. I replaced many as well...one by one. Lots of fun with that car & great stories. I was sad when I sold it years ago.

Unt SAABin das moteren! Yah!

 

[antonmnster]

The B+ wire shorted to ground on my partner's 86 9000T twelve years or so ago. I was horrified when I opened up the harness and saw all of the wires decomposing into each other. The car almost burned up.

But I really miss my 900(s). I had 4 and 3 9000s and all of them were nothing if not totally interesting.