The direct ignition cassette can fail causing the engine to die while driving, and/or it will crank but start. Diagnosis may also discover trouble codes for random misfires .
The Check Engine Light may come on because the electronic throttle body has failed. Other symptoms include loss of acceleration, a high idle or failure to return to idle, and difficulty starting.
The thermo contact in the AC compressor can fail, which means the compressor may fail to engage or disengage.
The shaft for the air blend door can fail creating the inability to adjust the AC or heating temperature. The AC or Heat will not maintain the proper temperature.
2.0L engines may become low on engine coolant with no cause found for the coolant loss. Our technicians tell us than in some cases the engine block may require replacement due to porosity.
A knocking noise while turning and/or a banging noise when driving on rough roads may develop in the front suspension. This type of noise is commonly caused by a front strut thrust bearing damaged due to water intrusion. Our technicians tell us revised thrust bearings are available to correct this concern.
The anti-lock brake system (ABS) and/or traction control light may illuminate. This can be caused by corrosion in the (ABS) wire harness connector at the right front wheel speed sensor due to water intrusion. Corroded connectors should be cleaned or replaced as necessary to correct this concern.
The Check Engine Light may illuminate because of air injection pump , and/or check valve failure. There may be no drivability symptoms detected.
A well-documented and well-known issue with the Saab 9-3 built between 2003-2011 is harsh shifting from the 6-speed automatic transmission , and slight slippage between gears. This has been noted as hesitation to accelerate, especially from a stop.
Mainly, software issues have been to blame for these mishaps, but mechanical malfunctions related to shift solenoids and the valve body have also been major causes. Finally, the automatic transmissions in these models are sold as ‘sealed for life’, yet the transmission fluid does not seem to last the complete service life of the vehicle.
Correction of these issues often requires a simple software update, meaning the vehicle only needs to be plugged in, and the transmission controller receives new programming meant to fix these drivability concerns. In cases where this does not correct concerns, the transmission must be removed, inspected, and repaired, possibly requiring a complete rebuild.
To mitigate these issues from escalating to a full transmission rebuild, many technicians recommend replacing the transmission fluid at regular intervals, yet the manufacturer has never offered this guidance.
If the ignition switch is turned to the "lock" position when the vehicle speed is over 5km/hour, the ignition key cannot be removed from the lock cylinder. This is not a defect, but a normal design feature. In order to remove the key: Turn the ignition to the "on" position, wait several seconds, turn ignition to "lock" and remove the key.
Our technicians report failures of various components in the audio system. Speaker, control unit, and steering wheel button failures are all possible.
The third brake light and/or license plate lamp may fail due to wiring damaged from rubbing on the trunk lid handle. Our technicians tell us the repair involves correcting the damaged wiring and isolating the connectors so they do not contact the trunk lid handle.
A higher than normal idle speed may result in harsh transmission engagement from park to drive and/or reverse. Our technicians tell us that adjustment and reprogramming the engine idle speed should resolve this issue.
related to safety, airbag, switch
related to body, fender, liner
related to exhaust, catalytic-converter, replace-remove
related to exterior-light, headlight, not-working
related to safety, traction-control, module
related to warning-lights, check-engine-light
related to exterior-light, headlight, relay, location
related to body, window, not-working
related to safety, airbag, replace-remove
related to general, warranty
related to steering, symptoms, hard
related to steering, symptoms, leak
related to steering, symptoms, leak
related to body, windshield
related to safety, traction-control, yaw-sensor, location
related to body, bumper