Saab 93 will only start with a tow

jezzer · 28-08-2015 10:57am #1

The other day my saab 93 would not start, i had it towed and then it started, it started again the next morning no bother but that evening it wouldnt start again, i replaced the battery and it still wouldnt start, this morning i had it towed again and it started, what would be the issue here?

Rackstar · 28-08-2015 11:07am

Is it turning over? Alternator maybe?

Atlantic Dawn · 28-08-2015 11:09am

Starter motor.

Kid Nothing · 28-08-2015 11:16am

Starter motor is sticking. Why/Who suggested replacing the battery?

anthonyvbyrne · 28-08-2015 11:21am

Describe exactly what happens and what it sounds like when you turn the key

jezzer · 28-08-2015 12:20pm

anthonyvbyrne wrote: »

Describe exactly what happens and what it sounds like when you turn the key

the key is turning but the car is just not kicking, just turning over

richardsheil · 28-08-2015 1:58pm

you need to be more clear.

When you tun the key does the engine go around, is the engine rotating?

NO idea what just not kicking or just turning over means. Then we can help.

jezzer · 28-08-2015 4:15pm

richardsheil wrote: »

you need to be more clear.

When you tun the key does the engine go around, is the engine rotating?

NO idea what just not kicking or just turning over means. Then we can help.

you know when you go to start a car and it doesnt kick in, i dont know if the engine is rotating but the ignition is turning over but the engine is not firing up to start if you know what i mean, its like if your car is out of juice the ignition just turns over but doesnt start

biko · 28-08-2015 5:17pm

Ok so starter motor runs but engine doesn't fire.
Sounds like the cylinders aren't get the right mix of fuel/air/spark.
I'd start by checking sparks.

jezzer · 28-08-2015 6:09pm

biko wrote: »

Ok so starter motor runs but engine doesn't fire.
Sounds like the cylinders aren't get the right mix of fuel/air/spark.
I'd start by checking sparks.

thanks i will check that, if it is the case would it be a big job/cost much?

George Dalton · 28-08-2015 7:28pm

It's kind of important to state which engine is in your car before anyone can give you any worthwhile advice.

anthonyvbyrne · 29-08-2015 12:32am

Guys. Don't get too anal about it. If he says that the engine is turning over, I think it's fair to assume that the battery is good, and the starter motor is engaging. So, either No fuel, or No spark. My bet is no Fuel. I had a 1996 900 ) beautiful car) back in the day. And believe it or not, the fuel pump failed one day, and had to be replaced.€700 as I recall. But this guy starts on a push/tow, therefore, fuel pump must be ok. Strange problem. Maybe a HT coil problem ?

anthonyvbyrne · 29-08-2015 12:34am

Good point George. Most of the 900s were petrol. Most of the 93s were diesel. A huge difference in the technicalities. Jazzer. 1. Is it petrol or diesel ? And 2. Is there any of it in the tank ?

the merchant · 29-08-2015 7:59am

anthonyvbyrne wrote: »

Good point George. Most of the 900s were petrol. Most of the 93s were diesel. A huge difference in the technicalities. Jazzer. 1. Is it petrol or diesel ? And 2. Is there any of it in the tank ?

If there was nothing in the tank it wouldn't go on a tow.

jimgoose · 29-08-2015 8:01am

Did it start away for a little while immediately after replacing the battery?

corglass · 30-08-2015 12:59pm

My guess is the starter is not engaging. If the engine was turning it would start (is it does when towed)

Op can you get someone to look under bonnet while you crank engine to determine if it's actually turning engine?

You should see bits rotating if the engine is actually turning

jezzer · 31-08-2015 10:11am

apparently there was air getting in through the filters or something if that makes sense? they were plugged and it seems to be ok now?

biko · 31-08-2015 10:14am

What filters?

What engine/model/fuel type is car?

jezzer · 31-08-2015 2:31pm

saab 93 linear 2003 diesel

RAIMEIS · 01-09-2015 1:36pm

Hello,

I have a 9-3 myself from 2000 and got the very same situation except:

- I own a real SAAB i.e. it is a petrol one, diesel ones are ****e and will give you cancer sooner or later,
- I left the car on the side road and came back the morning after, it started!
- Since then I am a bit wary but as other people said here it is the starter, if you have a rubber hammer, use it gently several times on the starter and it should unblock it.

biko · 01-09-2015 2:51pm

jezzer, what filters? Fuel filter?
Is it fixed now? If so how?

PADRAIC.M · 01-09-2015 11:22pm

2.2 diesel notorious for air leak throughl injector seals and seal on fuel filter,

jezzer · 02-09-2015 9:45am

PADRAIC.M wrote: »

2.2 diesel notorious for air leak throughl injector seals and seal on fuel filter,

Yes thats exactly what the mechanic said, he sealed those and its starting fine now, however, also, the engine light was coming on if i held the accelerator at a steady speed and it would go into limp mode, the mechanic hooked it up to the computer and i think he said some sensor needed replacing, he replaced it but the problem came back this morning, it seems to be an acceleration issue, if i keep the car at a steady speed the engine light comes on and it goes into limp mode, any ideas why this is happening?

anthonyvbyrne · 03-09-2015 2:06am

jezzer wrote: »

apparently there was air getting in through the filters or something if that makes sense? they were plugged and it seems to be ok now?

Jazzer. Your posts are so technically naive, and uninformed - I have decided you are taking the p1ss. E.g. Your above post dosent make sense. Filters are designed to let air get through. So " air getting through the filters" OR "something". Which was it ?

"They plugged it" ?.. The plugged what ?
How do you "plug" a filter anyway ?

jezzer · 03-09-2015 9:13am

anthonyvbyrne wrote: »

Jazzer. Your posts are so technically naive, and uninformed - I have decided you are taking the p1ss. E.g. Your above post dosent make sense. Filters are designed to let air get through. So " air getting through the filters" OR "something". Which was it ?

"They plugged it" ?.. The plugged what ?
How do you "plug" a filter anyway ?

How the eff do i know, i'm not a mechanic, if i was do you think i would be here listening to sh*te from you? fool

jimgoose · 03-09-2015 9:17am

Gentlemen, gentlemen, you can't fight here - this is the War Room! Jezzer, was the mechanic talking about a vacuum leak somewhere between the air senor (MAP or MAF) and the inlet manifold? That'd cause misfiring, poor running, power loss to some degree and MIL illumination. It would indeed need to be "plugged", that is sealed somehow, possibly involving replacement of a section of hose.

jezzer · 03-09-2015 9:22am

jimgoose wrote: »

Gentlemen, gentlemen, you can't fight here - this is the War Room! Jezzer, was the mechanic talking about a vacuum leak somewhere between the air senor (MAP or MAF) and the inlet manifold? That'd cause misfiring, poor running, power loss to some degree and MIL illumination. It would indeed need to be "plugged", that is sealed somehow, possibly involving replacement of a section of hose.

thank you, in relation to the engine light coming on, he said when he plugged the car into the diagnostics it came up that there was some issue with the acceleration and he changed some sensor but the issue is still there whereby if i keep at an exact steady speed such as 100 km per hour the engine light comes on and it goes into limp mode so to stop that happening i have to keep putting my foot on the accelerator then take it off and so on, apologies for my lack of technical knowledge but that is why i am here to try and learn from people who do know!

jimgoose · 03-09-2015 9:25am

jezzer wrote: »

thank you, in relation to the engine light coming on, he said when he plugged the car into the diagnostics it came up that there was some issue with the acceleration and he changed some sensor but the issue is still there whereby if i keep at an exact steady speed such as 100 km per hour the engine light comes on and it goes into limp mode so to stop that happening i have to keep putting my foot on the accelerator then take it off and so on, apologies for my lack of technical knowledge but that is why i am here to try and learn from people who do know!

FYI, most cars have a throttle position sensor, which is usually some sort of potentiometer that feeds the pedal position back to the ECU. This might be worn or faulty, but obviously it's hard to say from here.

jezzer · 03-09-2015 2:25pm

jimgoose wrote: »

FYI, most cars have a throttle position sensor, which is usually some sort of potentiometer that feeds the pedal position back to the ECU. This might be worn or faulty, but obviously it's hard to say from here.

sure thing, i appreciate that, i have a reading coming up on the dash saying ECU not programmed, would this be related to this issue potentially?

jimgoose · 03-09-2015 2:29pm

jezzer wrote: »

sure thing, i appreciate that, i have a reading coming up on the dash saying ECU not programmed, would this be related to this issue potentially?

That sounds more to do with the key/immobiliser setup. Touch of Alzheimer's since the battery was disconnected, maybe. It might sort itself out after a few startup/drive/shutdown cycles.

jezzer · 03-09-2015 2:41pm

jimgoose wrote: »

That sounds more to do with the key/immobiliser setup. Touch of Alzheimer's since the battery was disconnected, maybe. It might sort itself out after a few startup/drive/shutdown cycles.

thanks, my main issue anyway is that i cant keep the accelerator steady without the car going into limp mode

anthonyvbyrne · 03-09-2015 7:22pm

Ok. Ok. Apologies for the earlier un-civil post. Totally uncalled for. As I try to instil in my own kids, " if you've nothing nice to say, then say nothing's ". I should practice what I preach. It's good to be a member of a forum that is well moderated.
Once again, apologies.

Saab 93 will only start with a tow

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