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some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
What should I plan for, in maintaining my car?

We have a 2008 9-5 Wagon, 40K miles, 2.5t.
I'd like to keep it for another 4-6 years.
We don't drive very much - only 12K of those miles are in the last two years, we moved and use a bus and public transportation quite a bit.
It lives in a nice dry garage, gets an oil change every 3000-4000 miles, fully synthetic since day 1.

Reading through the thread it seems like the spark cassette could go, but beyond that what is else is likely to go? (besides normal wear and tear, I know I am getting close to rear brake pads, and I have a slight shudder when braking firmly from high speeds (>85mph).
Are the headlight angle adjusters known to fail? I've had one replaced and sometimes I see one winking a little bit at night.

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some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Hi Saab folks;
2008 9-5 wagon, 2.5T
The side rearview mirrors are starting to turn gray/purple at the bottom of the glass, about the bottom 1" is affected so far.
I assume this is corrosion or something.
How hard is it to switch out mirrors, in the event I can find a set that is not affected by this corrosion/contamination?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

West SAAB Story posted:

It isn't that big of a deal.

To remove (click for slightly larger):




and to fit:




Thank you very much West, I am going to keep an eye out for mirrors now. Maybe buy some lottery tickets.
I realize I had the model wrong, it is 2.3T.

I was detailing the car and noticed some things. The nozzle for the rear window sprayer is missing,
supposed to be two little holes in a bushing type thing. Saab dealer says they are back ordered into the unforeseen future.
I will try fabricating something for it.

The piece of lower external window trim (trim itself, not door it looks like) on the drivers side passenger door is corroding near it's forward attachment point; do I need special tools to get it off/do I have to take apart a bunch of stuff on the passenger door to replace it?

The bigger thing I have noticed is the plastic splashguards in the wheel wells: all of them , front and rear, have come loose at the trailing edge. I can see that there is a tab in the sheetmetal that is supposed to go somewhere, but it is not obvious to me where it is on the splashguard, and I am unsure about disassembling the splashguard further, in order to fix this.

The even bigger thing I noticed is that I have, over a 4 year time span, subtly crushed the front end of the car somewhat, by bumping into the solid concrete wall at the front of the garage. Yes, very, very stupid I know, no reason to nuzzle up to the wall. I am putting some chocks in to remind me not to do that now. Anyhow, over time it has compressed the front end and pushed it down. The front bumper cover which wraps around to the front of the wheelwells, has flexed outwards halfway between the beltline and the bottom of the car, and the splashguard of course could not follow it out, so it messed up the plastic tab there.
I saw that a torx fastener for the front clip had come loose under the hood, so I loosened the other one and tried to pull the bumper cover back into shape, but it was kind of cool day so maybe not the best time to do it.
I am pretty sure this is not a problem, all that stuff is a little flexible anyhow, I just tested the limits over time.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Anyone need a set of floormats for a 2008 9-5 wagon?
Brand new condition, will ship for cost of postage from 80209 (Denver).

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
The Floormats are stock, OEM, dark grey, I replaced with weather tech rubber mats.
Maybe two weeks in the car, they have been in a bag in the garage for 5 years.
Contact me chughes two zero zero two @ gmail

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Hey Viggen,
Mats went out today, special bonus included.
I was delayed, as I brought my new daughter home on Tuesday.
Her first car trip was 196 miles in a Saab Wagon.
I'm in a very, very good mood.
Ill be back in a little while with the deteriorating driver passenger window scraper trim pictures, hopefully tomorrow.
Also. Enjoy the custom packaging!
Anyone got instructions for replacing the dinky Little lightbulb in front of the headlamp? 2008 9-5 wagon. Am I going to break something stupid taking the headlight lense out?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

West SAAB Story posted:

You drat well keep whoever hotglued the poo poo out of those boxes away from your daughter! That was NOT going to open for hell or high water.

Thanks for the floor mats and the rearview - This is the first time I've seen a manual flip rearview that wasn't ratty - the one in the current DD had so much play that it was just easier to check the rearviews and do a headswivel. I didn't put up with that for long.. so now I can go back to stock w/o autodim if I want. :toot:

I'm keeping these mats fresh - they perfectly match my car for whenever I don't sell it.

Those candies look delicious - and I recognize your domain name, but I no longer remember why. Did you contribute to the Hekno thread? v:v:v

blk - going to try to catch her in-route tonight to Virginia City if possible.

Haa, yeah sorry about that. I ran out of packing tape, so you end up getting bombproofed box!
My current 9-5 came with that mirror, I had to order the compass/autodim mirror after I bought it. Glad it can do you some good!
I am almost always only a lurker, I have rare contributions to make knowledge wide, will be making an effort shortly when I tinker with the window trim.
Baby sleeps 3+ hours at a shot (during the day, anyway), this is much awesome.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Hey is there a trick to replacing the HID bulb in a 2008 9-5?
I'm asking because I spent the better part of an hour contorting my wrist to try to get the replacement bulb back into the prongs in the headlight assembly.
After I I couldn't do that, I spent another two hours removing the entire front clip to get the lens assembly off the car.
I thought I had it licked, but then I realized I must not have fully seated the bulb, because it backed out and lost all focus through the lense.

I am about to take the front clip off again; is there something special I need to do to get the bulb seated? I am scared to push too hard because this is the self-leveling headlights, so y can't really push too hard because the leveling parts start to move and I don't want to break that fiddly thing (replaced once under warranty already). I very much am not enjoying HID at this time, between the 3 hours of sweating and $125 cost of a bulb.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

some_admin posted:

Hey is there a trick to replacing the HID bulb in a 2008 9-5?
I'm asking because I spent the better part of an hour contorting my wrist to try to get the replacement bulb back into the prongs in the headlight assembly.
After I I couldn't do that, I spent another two hours removing the entire front clip to get the lens assembly off the car.
I thought I had it licked, but then I realized I must not have fully seated the bulb, because it backed out and lost all focus through the lense.

I am about to take the front clip off again; is there something special I need to do to get the bulb seated? I am scared to push too hard because this is the self-leveling headlights, so y can't really push too hard because the leveling parts start to move and I don't want to break that fiddly thing (replaced once under warranty already). I very much am not enjoying HID at this time, between the 3 hours of sweating and $125 cost of a bulb.

I'm an idiot: There is a lock ring on HID socket.
Second time taking the front clip off was way way way faster too, now that I know how it fits on.
So, sort of success story.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Hi Folks,
I got a mailer today with an offer for a free badge or windsheld wipers, thought I would pass the link along -
http://www.saabparts.com/en-us/usa/offers/part-offers/consumer-offers/
Seems like you can get this for free, I am waiting for my wipers now.
go get your badge on!

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
My 9-5 wagon has only 48K, garaged all the time, so badges are not degraded.
Last week, heater control valve leaking, and alignment; $700. oof

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Dealership; most of it was the heater valve. The alignment was $121, also had oil change, I need to find a decent saab mechanic and quit going to the dealership.
Yeah there is some advantage beings taken here.
Confidence building:
Couple years ago, I took it in to the same dealership for something under warranty, went to pick it up and service writer said "we are replacing one of the headlight assemblies, the angel eye LED are burned out". I said really? My car does not have angel eyes... Walked out to service bay to show him remaining headlight assembly did not have them either. Fast forward to two months ago when I replaced HID bulb and find out back cover for headlight assembly is missing.
Just a coincidence, I am sure.
Bonus points - this time they gave the car back with windshield wiper fluid light on (was not empty when I took it in).
Anyone recommend a good Saab guy near center of Denver?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
"Parking assist failure"on my 2008 9-5 wagon.Internet says I have to dismantle entire rear bumper, trim, etc.
probably going to just pay garage to do it, that seems like a lot of time for me.
Aargh. Otherwise just drove fine through 2000 mile road trip through southwest. 27-31 mpg for 75mph++ speeds. Yay for high speed limits and deserted 2 lane highways!

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
2008 9-5 wagon, 60k miles
oil change, replace front main seal, replace oil press sensor, replace right rear parking sensor, two new tires and an alignment: $1202
I think that is ok.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
2008 Saab 9-5, my high beams do not stay on anymore.
Relay?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

West SAAB Story posted:

This.

If you have a soldering iron and a touch of solder, you can fix it yourself. I'd be happy to send you a rebuilt one for $10 CONUS (shipping+core). You don't want to get a cheapy non-Hella off eBay.

<pedantic> It's also not a drat relay, just like there is no SID1/SID2 "ribbon cable" (they're just different LCD designs)</pedantic>

--

Pretty sure this 2006 is having a fuel delivery problem, now. I don't want to deal with a pump at 0c weather- don't do that too me, dammit. :argh:

Thanks folks! I'll check the orange relay.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
So:
Headlight relay not at fault. Rotary switch on far left controls function of headlamp switch. Daughter changed setting.
Battery died, found out on our way to Thanksgiving dinner.
Noticed a puff of gray smoke at startup.
Also noticed scratches on windshield from worn out wiper blades.

$430 later: new battery (Decca?), new wiper blades, oil change, peanut bulb replacement.
Diagnosis of turbo bearings starting to go, how long until it will kill the catalytic converter / other expensive things?
How soon do I have to replace it?
2008 9-5, 59,980 miles on it.
Dang car.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Need a hint here:
2008 9-5 t
Super sluggish below 30-40mph.
Has a new MAF.
No codes
60k miles
Turbo gauge normal

Just feels like a marshmallow until you really push it then it will kick down and rev up engine.
When it was newer it just had a second of turbo lag then would spin the wheels.
At 35-80 mph it shudders or feels like a miss.
Fuel economy down about %20

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
trandmission a possibility, I don't ant to think about but yes,a possibility.
Argh dang it saab.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
I pushed the sport button and now it's like a different car. Zoom zoom
That's probably not a good long term solution, is it?
Thanks for hint Tomarse!!

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Mexecan - 2011 saab price will be in the eye of the beholder. New model year/body style, and they only made it one year I think.

Now I am getting ABS, VSC, and brake warning lights all at once; popping on intermittently. Brake fluid seems topped up, I don't notice anything leaking... If it happens I can usually turn car off and restart and it clears the lights. I notice nothing wrong with brakes. If it happens with car in park, I am unable to shift into drive.
I'll try to go to the auto parts store today and see if they can read any codes. Any idea waht I could be looking at here? ( I know, no real information)

edit: I went to oreillys and they hooked up an obd reader, no codes. dangit saab.

some_admin fucked around with this message at 19:36 on Aug 21, 2017

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Ah! Reading about the abs failure it sounds like it can affect the ECU and you will be down on power,, because ECU not getting good signal from ABS.
Anyone use the ABS module rebuilder services successfully?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Colorado.
I've been looking at ABS electronic module used, they are $100-$500, no guarantees. The main rebuilder dude cheap-abs.com does not work on 2008 ABS.
Also noticed I've lost the engine thermometer as well. Boost gauge still good.
I iintend to check the ABS wheel sensors as well, before going on an adventure trying to replace ABS module myself.
Is the fix for it something like a solder reflow or is it chip level repair?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
I chickened out on changing ABS controller myself. Car at new mechanic, recommended by neighbor.
Fingers crossed.

Edit: mechanic did not have Saab compatible computers.
They Cleaned the MAF and that helped with hesitation issue.

Took to Saab specialist (Mile Hi Automotive) here in Denvet, they replaceda little switch that was hooked up to brakes and it seems like we are all good now, yay!
$245 for oil change, 2 hours of diagnoses and one new switch.

some_admin fucked around with this message at 13:05 on Oct 30, 2017

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Dangit. Check engine light came on, went off. Came back two days later. Had a hard start leaving swimming lessons this morning. Performance still laggy/sluggish. Got to the autoparts store, they read the code, P1312.
Internet says it is sooty plugs or DIC. Do I need to take it to Saab shop or should I just buy a new DIC and install it? Looks sort of easy to do.


Saabusaparts.com wants $330 for DIC & new OEM plugs.

This is of course going to crap out and strand me somewhere isn't it?

Of course, it's been beautiful weather wise here, and turning to poo poo tomorrow morning. Snow, low 20f temperatures.

2008 9-5 Wagon 2.3T, 63,000 miles

Saab shop solved previous problem of DSC/Anti-skid lights/brake lights being on, was one of two small switches in brake system somewhere. ($250)

some_admin fucked around with this message at 00:06 on Dec 21, 2017

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

EpicBirdEnthusiast posted:

Check the plugs first, they might just need replacement. Fwiw I've done well with an aftermarket dic.

Installing the dic and checking plugs is very easy and I would not recommend paying for it.

Yeah the video for replacing the DIC was 1:55 realtime. 4 torx 30 and a cable clip.
comments on the DIC buying page said avoid aftermarket, are they much cheaper to purchase?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
plugs & new DIC on their way here. UPS next day air saver.
I, guessing I don't see it until Friday though.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Hell yeah.
Replaced the plugs and DIC, DIC arrived with electro-gel already on it.
here's the plugs 1-4 left to right

I think they look pretty good. Gap not too big.
Tightened up the inner valve cover bolts, there was a very, very small amount of oil visible down between the plugs.
Hesitation seems gone, I'll find out if the surging between 30-65mph is gone tomorrow.
Feeling good, it's been a while since I did anything to a car besides put gas in it.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Success with DIC/plugs swap. Mileage back up to ~23 in the city, ~28 highway. Drove all the down to the end of LIttleton and back, drove to Golden & back, drove to Golden & then to airport and back this morning. No surging/weirdness at POT, only delay at a fast start is the normal turbo lag.
yay.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

epic bird guy posted:

insanity is doing the same thing twice and expecting different results. Btw I bought another Saab. If you read the chat thread you may already know this. 2004 9-5 Arc wagon. Its great but it needs a new battery, tires and some other odds and ends.


That's great news.

Thanks! I think it's great news too! Unfortunately, I also have blue smoke on very cold startups. like <35f (had this last year too). The internet says it could be valve guides, but is probably turbo bearings. hoo-fricking-ray. Cruise control still broken and it's too cold in garage for extended trouble shooting. Also looks like the exhaust is suffering pretty hard, I see bubbles on the rear resonator. Maybe the oil being burned will save the exhaust for a while!

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
The high beams might be the rotary switch on the left side of the dash, it changes the behavior from flash high beams to stay on high beams. (I only know this because my daughter changed the setting on the dial, resulting in flash only high beams.)
I used (well technically, I paid for it anyway) full synthetic for every single oil change, changed the oil twice a year regardless of mileage, so I hope it's not sludge. I like this car a lot for the first 5 years. Other than clipping curbs and buying expensive tires every so often.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Grab my hose! (and break the clips off the fitting goddamnit) I got some hose questions.

I wanted to see if there was sludgy stuff in the PCV hoses.

This fitting had a clip that fit onto the hooks on the boss on the valve cover. I figured I I could pry them up and then look/poke in the hose.
Well, 10 years of engine bay heat had done their magic and the clips were completley rigid and broke without even flexing. I replaced it with a bent peice of aluminum rod. The thing is, this fitting had an O-ring in it, but it seems the whole fitting had shrunk so there is substantial play. Definitely not sealing.
On the bright side, there was no sludge or anything else in the hose.
What is this hose for, does it matter if it is not air-tight?
I also notice a fair bit of oil residue around engine compartment, you can see the thickest part under the edge of the oil filler cap on the right.
Could oily vapor be leaking out of this?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

kimbo305 posted:

Guess who bought an 2010 9-5 Aero sight unseen on eBay and is having a shop replace all the timing chain stuff?

Cool. be interesting to see your take on it after driving fast/nice/fancy stuff.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Man oh Man oh Man.
Whilst scheduling an oil change with the Saab guys, I mentioned that I was still having hesitation and bad mileage but no CEL.
Had replaced MAF, DIC, plugs, no real improvement. ~18mpg for last year.
He suggested I get the Catalytic Converter checked for backpressure. Sure enough it needs replacing.
It's getting replaced now and potentially my year and a half of driving with a problem will be over!
BTW, ~$475 acceptable for decent (looking) shop doing it?
Buds Muffler 10th & Santa Fe

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Runs way better now, will see if it holds up over a tank of gas. Went from 17.6 mpg to 22 so that is about right.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Oil change, new rotors & pads on back. $366

Only thing not working is cruise control now. Automatic trans so I"m guessing the clutch pedal return spring is not going to be the issue.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Ahh the sweet hint of dex cool in the AC on a warm afternoon.
Ooh the coolant low light!
Oops, the slippery stain in the garage.
Phew! Walking home from the car shop.
Whoosh! Goes the money!
Heater control valve (#2, first was under warranty years ago), and hoses.
$1000, so ytd $3300.

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Oh yes definitely with labor. Maybe even dropping my car off back at my house.
(If they don’t charge for that)

Only. Thing wrong left on car is
1) cruise control dies not do anything (lights come on, but will not hold/accelerate speed)
2) rear washer nozzle disappeared, housing still there so water dribbles onto rear glass
3) side view mirrors are turning dark blue on glass at bottom
4) subwoofer occasionally makes static noises

Any hints / tips fir these ills?

some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer

keykey posted:

Throwing around 1k here and there, because weird Swedish car with odd things that need repairs, when the value of the vehicle is less than 5k which is why a Saab is the worst car to own if you're not up to doing the repairs yourself.


What year/model?

2008 9-5 Combi 2.3T

I only do the work myself if it’s duper basic. Lol

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some_admin
Oct 11, 2011

Grimey Drawer
Checking in after a long road trip (by my recent standards).
Nothing Broke!
402 miles on a tank of 91, 29.2 mpg!
I knew it was too good to last even as I put the next fill of gas in it.
Now it's hard starting when heat soaked on a hot day of local driving.
Internet says its Crankshaft Position Sensor. (everything gets cooked)
I ordered a CPS, watched a couple of videos, anything I should look out for? Is it best to change 02 sensor if I have to remove it anyway?
grey metallic 2008 2.3T wagon

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