Loss of power and various warning lights after making a hard right hand turn

Tiny
ATOMICDR
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 SAAB 9-5
  • 2.3L
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 107,000 MILES
This has got to be one for the books. This vehicle will light up several unrelated warning lights (parking brake, anti-lock brakes, security, etc.) And lose power, along with the turbo after second gear, and will not go over forty five to fifty mph. All of this happens after making a hard right turn! It will however completely fix itself after making a hard left turn (under acceleration). I know as I have done it several times. Fixes it every time. The right turn has to take place at or above forty to forty five mph (and not always under acceleration). Anything slower and nothing will be affected (like turning at a corner after a stop). Never does it with a strong left turn (except to fix what happens when it happens on a right turn). What in the world is going on here? Do I have some electrical component hanging loose and disconnecting and reconnecting with the sway of the vehicle? A bad relay?
This is one of the weirdest troubleshooting issues I have encountered in recent times. I am guessing only a Saab guy would have any possible experience with this crazy issue. Lol I have to say though, that other than this issue Saab sure makes a nice car. Handles great. Gets great gas mileage. Pretty solid at 107,000 miles.

Thanks guys. You have always been the answer.
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 AT 8:17 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
Check battery for loose connections /corrosion and check battery for condition including load test.
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 AT 9:38 AM
Tiny
RENEE L
  • ADMIN
  • 1,257 POSTS
Hi ATOMICDR,

If you decide to check the condition of your battery yourself here is a link to helpful information from this site that features written instructions, pictures and a video explaining how to load test your battery yourself.

If you need further assistance please come back to 2CarPros.com. We are always happy to help.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-battery

Thank you for visiting 2CarPros.

Kindest regards,

Renee
Admin
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Wednesday, October 5th, 2016 AT 2:25 PM
Tiny
ATOMICDR
  • MEMBER
  • 34 POSTS
Although the aforementioned suggestions were of some help in ruling out certain possibilities, they were nonetheless unable to repair the situation with the car. The battery and all connections seem to be fine. The battery load tests properly. I have had the occasion to recreate the symptoms again several times and I can always correct the problem by simply making a sharp left-hand turn. I'm still scratching my head on this one. The myriad of warning lights that suddenly appear seem to have no application to the problem. They seem only to be a bi-product of the real problem. When I modify the problem with the left turn. Shortly after, the warning lights go out. Any more thoughts on what may be causing this? Any other Saab idiosyncrasies that I should know of?
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Tuesday, October 25th, 2016 AT 11:40 AM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,606 POSTS
The only thing that I can think of is a fuel pump problem. Check pressure and if you can drive where you can watch gauge maybe the pump is loose in tank or something blocks it when you do a left turn. Otherwise due to the nature of this a mechanic should physically check this out
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Tuesday, October 25th, 2016 AT 1:11 PM

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