2001 SAAB 9-5 any advice on my herbie- that only starts whe

Tiny
WHEEZYGIRL
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 SAAB 9-5
Electrical problem
2001 Saab 9-5 6 cyl Front Wheel Drive Automatic 150k miles

Hi I am wondering why my car won't start at random times. I've had it in to the dealership 4 times, and an import car specialist 3 times. So far they've replaced the throttle body, the starter, and a fusebox of some sort (not fushion link but something that was easy to access and cheap to replace). Every single time I take it in they can't diagnosis the problem b/c it fires up without fail. I'm starting to take it personally like maybe I have a bad aura or something but it also failed with my mom on one occasion so perhaps it's not me and/or it's not possessed. :)

I haven't been able to correlate that it only does it with any of the following variables:
1. Battery (the charge is good)
2. Shiftstick, interior lights, other interior electronics (I try to see if moving anything helps - it doesn't or if it does I think it's coincidental).
3. Driving for long distance
4. Various weather

The only thing that increases the liklihood of it happening is running errands (turning the car off and on a few times within an hour). But again not always since it also doesn't start even after sitting for a few hours. So it's not necessarily that it needs time to "cool off" or recharge.

Almost always I can count on it to start first thing in the morning. It's the rest of the day that's variable.
I deal with this about 4-5 times a week on avg. I take books, food, and a laptop to entertain the times I have to wait 10min-1 hour for it to start. But it seems to be getting worse. Last night, it didn't start after two hours leaving me stuck in a mall parkade - piece of *@#$$%@Q^! Thanks if you can help! (I really do love this car but right now it's more hate than love!)
Thanks Deb

it's electrical isn't it? If so, where the heck does one begin?
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 11:20 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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Hi
Does starter operate and engine will not run? Or does starter do nothing? No clicks, buzz, ect?
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
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Hi and thanks! There may be a small click (from the engine as if to start) but nothing is turning over from either the alternator or starter itself. The engine does not start period. No "rrrrr", in other words.

I was just reading about the following from theSaabsite:

1. Neutral Safety Switch

2. Replacement of electrical portion of the ignition switch

3. Direct Ignition Cassette (which prompts codes and my car apparently had no codes to report)

4. Cranksensor, fuel pump, spark plugs (misfiring or not firing?)

maybe it's one of these (in this order?)
Thanks Deb
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Wednesday, June 9th, 2010 AT 3:31 PM
Tiny
DOCFIXIT
  • MECHANIC
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O.K. since car is fickle need you to diagnose. So next time in will not start, will need a test light, find starter relay in interior relay box see diagram


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Grafic_3_127.jpg


Touch relay while starting does relay click? if no pull relay on terminal 30 probe with test light start does light glow?


https://www.2carpros.com/forum/automotive_pictures/198357_Graphic_475.jpg


relay # 9
Let me know
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Thursday, June 10th, 2010 AT 12:47 PM
Tiny
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Awesome thank you I will try this and report back!
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Thursday, June 10th, 2010 AT 1:23 PM

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