SAAB 900 Classic Convertible
Discussion
Thanks for all the comments. 123 GGB has been in the family since the early 70's.
Got back from working away in Sheffield this afternoon, and managed an hour on the car. I'm using this diary to keep the momentum going.
This is the hole behind the rear light. After derusting, i've given it a couple of coats of model paint. This should stop it from getting any worse, and i'll get it sorted proffesionally at a later date.
The plastic finisher round the boot lock has a crack in it and is a loose fit. I'll give the Saab dealer a call, see if they're still available.
Ordered a new key from the local dealer. Comes pre cut in 5 days for £12.20, bargain!
The alarm hasn't worked for some time ( 10 years maybe? ). Both the fobs were broken and held together with insulating tape. Managed to get new Cobra fobs from ebay ( £3ish ) and the alarm worked first time!
Last thing i got done was to give the tonneau cover and bag a good clean.
Just as i was locking the car away, i tried my remote fob to find its not working. It turns the alarm on / off ok. The key still works the central locking ok. It's like the alarm isn't talking to the central locking.
Plans for tomorrow are to Renovo the roof ( if it arrives ), and finish off the boot and rear light. And look at the alarm.
I've also got some work to do to this, like i need another project!
Thanks again for the comments and advice is always appreciated.
Got back from working away in Sheffield this afternoon, and managed an hour on the car. I'm using this diary to keep the momentum going.
This is the hole behind the rear light. After derusting, i've given it a couple of coats of model paint. This should stop it from getting any worse, and i'll get it sorted proffesionally at a later date.
The plastic finisher round the boot lock has a crack in it and is a loose fit. I'll give the Saab dealer a call, see if they're still available.
Ordered a new key from the local dealer. Comes pre cut in 5 days for £12.20, bargain!
The alarm hasn't worked for some time ( 10 years maybe? ). Both the fobs were broken and held together with insulating tape. Managed to get new Cobra fobs from ebay ( £3ish ) and the alarm worked first time!
Last thing i got done was to give the tonneau cover and bag a good clean.
Just as i was locking the car away, i tried my remote fob to find its not working. It turns the alarm on / off ok. The key still works the central locking ok. It's like the alarm isn't talking to the central locking.
Plans for tomorrow are to Renovo the roof ( if it arrives ), and finish off the boot and rear light. And look at the alarm.
I've also got some work to do to this, like i need another project!
Thanks again for the comments and advice is always appreciated.
Thanks Vince, i'll give that a try when the Renovo kit turns up. Thats been a week now, i'll try next weekend ( away with work this week ).
Not much motivation today though i got some jobs done to the bike.
Regarding the Saab, i got the rear light back on and the boot finished.
Spent some time looking at the alarm / central locking issue but none the wiser. I'll look at the manual and see if i can find the wiring diagram.
Hopefully i'll get a few hours tomorrow.
Thanks
Not much motivation today though i got some jobs done to the bike.
Regarding the Saab, i got the rear light back on and the boot finished.
Spent some time looking at the alarm / central locking issue but none the wiser. I'll look at the manual and see if i can find the wiring diagram.
Hopefully i'll get a few hours tomorrow.
Thanks
My old cabriolet has a cloth roof and is the same age yours and when I bought it the roof was covered in green mould,
I first used some hot water with about 30% Milton bottle steriliser to kill off the spores with a soft brush then left it for a day or two then used the Renovo colour restorer (black) on the roof.
I used the whole bottle of Renovo and applied it with two thick coats over a couple of days just to make sure as I didn't want anything coming back through then I gave it a couple of days then coated it with the brush on Fabsil.
When using the Renovo it may look a bit patchy while applying to the roof but it will dry back perfect.
Renovo is a fantastic product and it has really brought the roof up on mine as good as new,
I would go as far as saying it looks better than new now as it also dyes the stitching the same colour as the roof which I think makes it look better.
I first used some hot water with about 30% Milton bottle steriliser to kill off the spores with a soft brush then left it for a day or two then used the Renovo colour restorer (black) on the roof.
I used the whole bottle of Renovo and applied it with two thick coats over a couple of days just to make sure as I didn't want anything coming back through then I gave it a couple of days then coated it with the brush on Fabsil.
When using the Renovo it may look a bit patchy while applying to the roof but it will dry back perfect.
Renovo is a fantastic product and it has really brought the roof up on mine as good as new,
I would go as far as saying it looks better than new now as it also dyes the stitching the same colour as the roof which I think makes it look better.
IroningMan said:
If it's an aftermarket alarm, and it almost certainly is - then it may not have been installed with a link to the central locking.
+1 my 205 of a similar vintage is like this. There's no servo to unlock the drivers side door so if the alarm worked the central locking it would leave the drivers door still closed...not very good!don't know if it's the same on SAABs though.
Thanks for the replies. The alarm is a Cobra system, fitted by the dealer when the car was new. The remote locking worked fine for years. Even when i fitted new batteries to the new fobs it worked fine for a day.
I've looked at the fitting manual, and there is a 3 amp fuse between the alarm and the central locking. Im going to try and trace the wiring tomorrow and find the fuse. Wiring isn't my strong point though...
Cheers
I've looked at the fitting manual, and there is a 3 amp fuse between the alarm and the central locking. Im going to try and trace the wiring tomorrow and find the fuse. Wiring isn't my strong point though...
Cheers
Just thinking out loud here with regards to the remote locking.
Managed an hour in the garage today. Traced the wiring from the cobra unit to where it enters under the factory fuse box. All the wiring looks tidy and all the connections are soldered. It all looks quite neat. There are 2 fuses in the connections between the alarm and the Saab wiring, both intact.
Next weekend ( away with work this week ) i plan to check where the alarm wiring enters the cabin from under the bonnet, behind the glove box. I'm pretty sure this is where Saab have factory fitted the central locking unit. Hopefully i can find a fault in this area.
One last thing. Whilst checking the central locking earlier i discovered this. When using the key in the drivers door, the central locking works fine ( locks both doors and the boot ). If i use the key in the passenger door, it only locks / unlocks that door. Is that the norm?
As always, advice is always appreciated.
Managed an hour in the garage today. Traced the wiring from the cobra unit to where it enters under the factory fuse box. All the wiring looks tidy and all the connections are soldered. It all looks quite neat. There are 2 fuses in the connections between the alarm and the Saab wiring, both intact.
Next weekend ( away with work this week ) i plan to check where the alarm wiring enters the cabin from under the bonnet, behind the glove box. I'm pretty sure this is where Saab have factory fitted the central locking unit. Hopefully i can find a fault in this area.
One last thing. Whilst checking the central locking earlier i discovered this. When using the key in the drivers door, the central locking works fine ( locks both doors and the boot ). If i use the key in the passenger door, it only locks / unlocks that door. Is that the norm?
As always, advice is always appreciated.
The passenger door lock thing is normal. It is only the drivers side which operates the central locking.
I didn't really look at the whole thread, just the pictures. I'm guessing the problem with the alarm is that it does not operate the central locking.
Alarms can work two ways on a 900.
1. Trigger wires go to the central locking control module which is clipped to the top of the passenger side under dash heating duct. Pin 1 for lock and pin 2 for unlock.
2. Change the switch mounted in the drivers door for a motorised switch. Use the alarm system to drive the motor. When the alarm moves the motor it will be like you turning the key in the lock and that will operate the central locking.
Method 1 is better. If the alarm was on the car from new then I'd imagine it was wired up as per method 1. Check when you transmit from the remote the trigger wires are pulsing. Not sure if it is a pulse to live or a pulse to ground. Going to ground would make more sense. If not getting anything at pins 1 or 2 when operating the remote then the alarm is faulty. The central locking control units often fail as well. You have to open them up and reflow the solder joints as there is a tendancy for them to dry out.
I didn't really look at the whole thread, just the pictures. I'm guessing the problem with the alarm is that it does not operate the central locking.
Alarms can work two ways on a 900.
1. Trigger wires go to the central locking control module which is clipped to the top of the passenger side under dash heating duct. Pin 1 for lock and pin 2 for unlock.
2. Change the switch mounted in the drivers door for a motorised switch. Use the alarm system to drive the motor. When the alarm moves the motor it will be like you turning the key in the lock and that will operate the central locking.
Method 1 is better. If the alarm was on the car from new then I'd imagine it was wired up as per method 1. Check when you transmit from the remote the trigger wires are pulsing. Not sure if it is a pulse to live or a pulse to ground. Going to ground would make more sense. If not getting anything at pins 1 or 2 when operating the remote then the alarm is faulty. The central locking control units often fail as well. You have to open them up and reflow the solder joints as there is a tendancy for them to dry out.
Thank you for your reply 6506. I'm back at home later today and i'm planning to have a look under the passenger side dash. You've confirmed what i've found online regarding the control unit. Thanks for the pin info, i'm sure this will help narrow down the problem.
I'll let you know later / tomorrow how i get on.
Cheers
Gordon
I'll let you know later / tomorrow how i get on.
Cheers
Gordon
Thanks again 650.
Been working away again this week, so i'm going to be time limited again on the Saab.
This afternoon i changed the non return valves in the windscreen washers. I noticed one of the was weeping, and they were cheap from Ebay. I got another alarm fob, also from Ebay, and swapped over the innards. Thats both fobs working again.
The Renovo roof kit i ordered a fortnight ago arrived today, just in time for the weekend. This is a picture of the roof after i cleaned it earlier.
The roof wasn't bad at all, but it is looking a lot smarter already.
Tomorrow, if the roof has dried, i'll start dyeing the roof. I also intend to have another look at fixing the remote locking.
Thanks again for the advice.
Been working away again this week, so i'm going to be time limited again on the Saab.
This afternoon i changed the non return valves in the windscreen washers. I noticed one of the was weeping, and they were cheap from Ebay. I got another alarm fob, also from Ebay, and swapped over the innards. Thats both fobs working again.
The Renovo roof kit i ordered a fortnight ago arrived today, just in time for the weekend. This is a picture of the roof after i cleaned it earlier.
The roof wasn't bad at all, but it is looking a lot smarter already.
Tomorrow, if the roof has dried, i'll start dyeing the roof. I also intend to have another look at fixing the remote locking.
Thanks again for the advice.
Spent a good few hours on Saturday trying to fix the remote locking. Removed the fuse box and traced the wiring back to the Cobra alarm, and into the interior. Didn't find any faults or blown fuses.
There were a couple of crimped connections which i soldered and heat shrinked. I'm going to give it another try next weekend them i'm done with it. The alarm system is over 20 year old and that may be faulty. It's a Cobra 5801 system ( Saab dealer fit ) if anyone is familar with this unit.
I did get the soft top cleaned, dyed and waterproofed. The roof wasn't bad, but it has come up like new. The roof was still a bit damp in this picture, but it gives you a good idea. I'd recomend the Renovo kit.
The only bad bit on the hood is the edging strip. Is this something that can be repaired quite easily? I take it someone who repairs / retrims upholstery would be the best person to speak with?
I'll get the service parts ordered up when i'm away and concentrate under the bonnet this weekend.
Thanks for looking.
There were a couple of crimped connections which i soldered and heat shrinked. I'm going to give it another try next weekend them i'm done with it. The alarm system is over 20 year old and that may be faulty. It's a Cobra 5801 system ( Saab dealer fit ) if anyone is familar with this unit.
I did get the soft top cleaned, dyed and waterproofed. The roof wasn't bad, but it has come up like new. The roof was still a bit damp in this picture, but it gives you a good idea. I'd recomend the Renovo kit.
The only bad bit on the hood is the edging strip. Is this something that can be repaired quite easily? I take it someone who repairs / retrims upholstery would be the best person to speak with?
I'll get the service parts ordered up when i'm away and concentrate under the bonnet this weekend.
Thanks for looking.
Central locking will possibly be either of these http://www.saab9000.com/bbimages/alarm/5801-5.jpg
If there has been a motor fitted in the door then it will be A, if no aftermarket motor then it will be B (most cars are neg locking)
Check that you have not lost the feeds in, and put your tester on the alarms outputs and arm/disarm and check to see what happens.
If there has been a motor fitted in the door then it will be A, if no aftermarket motor then it will be B (most cars are neg locking)
Check that you have not lost the feeds in, and put your tester on the alarms outputs and arm/disarm and check to see what happens.
Thanks for the replies.
650 ; Because i had the alarm / locking working fine for a few hours, i'm pretty determined to find the fault. If the Cobra box itself is knackered then thats fine. Just want to make sure its not a simple wiring fault.
The hood is near mint except for the sewn on edging strip. I'd be loath to replace it for this. I'll look more into it in the future. This job will get added to list nos. 2 ( jobs i cant do ). I'm not interested in getting the Saab to concours condition, just to a very presentable one.
RA500 ; Thanks for the diagram. I already have it from when the car was new, and can almost quote it ( though not understand it! ).
Don't know if this makes sense to you but i get a flash on the test lamp from the violet wire when i fob the alarm on. When turning the alarm off the orange wire is permanently live ( not a 3 sec flash ). Also, i connected the drivers door solenoid to a 12v supply and it never moved ( or clicked ). I'll give it some thought, there is a few solenoids on ebay.
I got the above tested yesterday on my return from working away ( Glamorous Newport ), along with some wiring work to the CX500.
Still waiting on a few of the service items to turn up, so i'll get the engine bay cleaned up this weekend. I'll aim to get the car serviced next weekend then investigate why the heater doesn't blow hot.
Thanks again for the replies and advice is always appreciated.
650 ; Because i had the alarm / locking working fine for a few hours, i'm pretty determined to find the fault. If the Cobra box itself is knackered then thats fine. Just want to make sure its not a simple wiring fault.
The hood is near mint except for the sewn on edging strip. I'd be loath to replace it for this. I'll look more into it in the future. This job will get added to list nos. 2 ( jobs i cant do ). I'm not interested in getting the Saab to concours condition, just to a very presentable one.
RA500 ; Thanks for the diagram. I already have it from when the car was new, and can almost quote it ( though not understand it! ).
Don't know if this makes sense to you but i get a flash on the test lamp from the violet wire when i fob the alarm on. When turning the alarm off the orange wire is permanently live ( not a 3 sec flash ). Also, i connected the drivers door solenoid to a 12v supply and it never moved ( or clicked ). I'll give it some thought, there is a few solenoids on ebay.
I got the above tested yesterday on my return from working away ( Glamorous Newport ), along with some wiring work to the CX500.
Still waiting on a few of the service items to turn up, so i'll get the engine bay cleaned up this weekend. I'll aim to get the car serviced next weekend then investigate why the heater doesn't blow hot.
Thanks again for the replies and advice is always appreciated.
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