24th Dec 2007, 06:26
I need some help. The problem I have is similar to the one mentioned here about the car stopping willy-nilly!
I have a 2000 9-3 which has been stopping at will (not mine) and then it will not restart until it feels like doing it. Problem is that this happens usually when I am on the road and I start slowing down and then it dies. I noticed the other day that when it does this, the tach starts fluttering up and down and if I can't get into neutral and accelerate, then it dies. This has happened in both hot and cold weather and whether I just started the car or it has been running for hours. It has never stopped (luckily) when I have been in the freeway, but two days I go, I felt the car chocking as I was on the Interstate and it slowed down considerably! Luckily it picked up again once I stepped on the gas, but I am concerned if this happens when there are cars behind me and I get rear-ended by someone.
Do you have any ideas what could be done to fix this? The local "Specialist" has changed the gas filter, has checked it with his computer, but has not been able to come up with a solution to the problem.
I would really appreciate any help you could give me.
Thanks!
31st Dec 2007, 21:14
SAAB 9-3 convertible - sludge problem killed my engine! This seems to be a common theme with this car and now the car is worthless, no signs to tell you it's coming, but the expense is huge - you get the knocking noise and then the car simply dies and you get the lovely news "you need an engine" and everywhere I look the prices are staggering - car is not worth it -have had nothing, but problems since the day I bought it -never again! built from jets huh? I'll never fly a saab jet that's for sure.
5th Jun 2008, 17:13
I've had my 2000 Saab 9-3 for ~5 months now. I've put ~6k miles on it and so far have not encountered a single problem with the car. It runs wonderfully, looks great, is easy to work on, including many fun DIY projects including custom grills, removal of badges and removal of side yellow turn signal indicators. The engine had been serviced properly for the entirety of it's life, which is probably why it runs so well. Occasional use of octane booster as well as running the car hard every once in a while will help prevent sludge problems.
30th Jun 2008, 15:46
I have a 2000 9.3 convertible. Heard of the sludge problem. I got the knocking noise and the screen was dirty. I had it towed in to the deal because Saab said only they could determine if it was due to sludge. Well they diagnosed it and said that it wasn't due to sludge. Although I am having the engine replaced now due to the sludge problem ruined the whole engine. Too bad there is nothing we can do about this problem.
I need a new block now does anyone know how much that cost?
Please help me
Donna.
15th Jul 2008, 14:58
Can someone please help me. I have a Saab 93 (2004). I have the same problems as other owners. The Saab has a mind of its own. Some days it will start with no issues, at times, when you try to restart it after a period of time, it will not start. This issue may go on for 3 - 4 days when it will not start at all. After leaving it from anything from 3 hours to 3 days, it may start again. The car is very unreliable. I have left it with the Saab dealer to get checked over and they were unable to detect any problems.
16th Jul 2008, 14:46
My Saab story is a bit different than some of these, but with a similar conclusion - lots of time and money poured into a car that continues to break down. I bought my 200 9-3 used with 71K miles and figured out pretty quickly that I had a bad car with a sludge problem. OK, my bad for being a fool. I tried all kinds of things, including an engine flush, but the damage had already been done to the cylinders. After much gnashing of teeth I decided to have the engine rebuilt, which cost over $7000. Less than 1000 miles later, the electrical started flaking out - first the ignition switch, then the windshield washer pump and then problems with the car not starting. Last week, the transmission stopped working altogether. This is not the limp-home mode by the way, it doesn't work - period. If you have a failing Saab, my advice is to part the thing out before it separates you from more of your money.
27th Aug 2008, 20:32
Older Saabs never had this so called sludge problem. The problem is the oil pickup screen is so fine that if you delay in doing religious oil changes every 3000 miles, the screen clogs, oil starvation engine kaput. The screen spacing on older Saabs are much bigger, less apt to clog. Keep in mind this is slow engine death.
13th Oct 2008, 17:14
I am having a weird problem and not sure what/where it's coming from. Suddenly my turn signals, front lights, back/brake lights, windows, sunroof and wipers have just gone on me. Had a look at some of the fuses and it doesn't seem to be that - any thoughts from anyone?
15th Oct 2008, 11:50
My 2003 Saab 9-3 Convertible has been a fantastic car - no problems - good dealer service.
11th Dec 2008, 17:54
The usual NSS and CPS problems with mine, but aside from that I really can't complain, everything else is rock solid. Of course mine was made the last year they were owned by Saab and not GM.
GM's current corporate model is to produce cheap crap that nobody wants or likes. They deserve no bailout for being such failure of a company.
6th Apr 2009, 18:42
I have a 2000 9.3 Saab convertible. Roof was slow to operated but did work. Had a small leak in the cylinders to the roof. Added oil and now the top will not come down. It tries and the back will open about 3/4" Any suggestions?
22nd May 2009, 15:39
My 2000 9-3 Saab turbo was maintained and serviced by a local Saab dealership since I purchased it in 2003 with 45,000 miles. I purchased an extended warranty that covered many repairs over the last 5 years. Most recently the head gasket was replaced 11/08, water pump, belt tensioners 2/09, etc. and within a few hundred miles from the service shop who replaced the water pump, belt tensioners, etc. the turbo blew out.
The foreign repair shop indicated the turbo and engine need to be replaced. This car has been meticously maintained and remained inconsistently problematic. (Car wouldn't start/engine noises). I called Saab headquarters and they will not help in any way. Dealership informed me I have a "lemon" and not to put any more money it (of course, they didn't tell me that when it was under warranty and still paid thousands of dollars out of pocket).
Help...
My service records are detailed and might help another victim... or maybe contribute to a class action law suit...
Thanks
When cold, engine noises, etc.) The warranty ended in August 08.
10th Jul 2006, 12:56
To the person who had a bad contact in the neutral safety switch, here is a cheap fix for the problem. Buy a inexpensive momentary contact switch, (for about $2.00) and run wire from starter up through the firewall to the dash. Mount the switch on dash or steering column with velcro and run another wire back through the firewall to the battery. All you need do is turn on the key and touch the momentary contact switch and starter will work every time. This will fix your problem for less than %5.00.
It works every time...