Damn you, UKSaabs classifieds!! 99t buys another £350 Saab!!
Discussion
Struggled to find time to diagnose further during the last week, during that time the warning lights have come on increasingly often and for increasing durations.
Then tonight they were accompanied by a complete lack of speedo and a check engine light!
That at least gave me a code to check - P1625 which is a bus communication error, lack of speed signal from abs unit.
Then used Tech II to graph the wheel speed sensors whilst driving and they all appear consistently present and correct (and read the same speed) whilst the error came and went and the speedo dropped out and returned.
Seems likely the abs electronic unit needs a trip to BBA Reman then, although I'll check the connectors for corrosion when I remove it as that isn't unheard of and make sure there is no obvious wiring damage...
Then tonight they were accompanied by a complete lack of speedo and a check engine light!
That at least gave me a code to check - P1625 which is a bus communication error, lack of speed signal from abs unit.
Then used Tech II to graph the wheel speed sensors whilst driving and they all appear consistently present and correct (and read the same speed) whilst the error came and went and the speedo dropped out and returned.
Seems likely the abs electronic unit needs a trip to BBA Reman then, although I'll check the connectors for corrosion when I remove it as that isn't unheard of and make sure there is no obvious wiring damage...
Went to remove the battery for access and found this
Thought I might have solved it but unfortunately the lead is still tight as anything on the terminal, absolutely wouldn't move or wiggle loose. Not ideal obviously so will replace, but don't think it is the issue here.
Cleaned up three earth points, one of which had slight corrosion although it tested ok on the multimeter. Removed the ABS unit connectors looking for damage or corrosion but all looked like new.
Finally split the main harness joint on the bulkhead looking for corrosion. Dry as a bone, no corrosion but quite dusty internally. Blew it out thoroughly with compressed air and reconnected it.
Battery back on, re-ran Tech II diagnostics on the main instrument panel - doing this yesterday produced a chime and a bus error pretty much every time. Ran it three times and no warning.
Went for a short drive, waiting for the "bing bong" and light show - didn't happen.
Will see how it goes for a bit then. Not convinced I've fixed anything just yet...
Thought I might have solved it but unfortunately the lead is still tight as anything on the terminal, absolutely wouldn't move or wiggle loose. Not ideal obviously so will replace, but don't think it is the issue here.
Cleaned up three earth points, one of which had slight corrosion although it tested ok on the multimeter. Removed the ABS unit connectors looking for damage or corrosion but all looked like new.
Finally split the main harness joint on the bulkhead looking for corrosion. Dry as a bone, no corrosion but quite dusty internally. Blew it out thoroughly with compressed air and reconnected it.
Battery back on, re-ran Tech II diagnostics on the main instrument panel - doing this yesterday produced a chime and a bus error pretty much every time. Ran it three times and no warning.
Went for a short drive, waiting for the "bing bong" and light show - didn't happen.
Will see how it goes for a bit then. Not convinced I've fixed anything just yet...
I said:
Not convinced I've fixed anything just yet...
...and I was correct to think that, next drive, a full house of dash lights and the error code.Removed the ABS controller, which wasn't a bad job - battery and battery tray out, move a coolant hose without disconnecting it, two connectors and six torx screws.
The controller...
...and the gubbins left behind
Sent the electronic bit off to ECU Testing based on a recommendation on another forum. They kept me well informed of progress, confirmed it was faulty, repaired and returned it in two working days (four days total including time in the post).
Refitted and all seems well, subject to a longer test drive!
BlameItOnGT2 said:
Another great 'project' thread!
Between you and Stew's 147, I wish I had some cash to splash on a shed.
Nit on UKSaabs but how often do great bargains like this come up?
You do know the idea isn’t supposed to be to ‘splash cash’ on a shed...they just end up getting under your skin Between you and Stew's 147, I wish I had some cash to splash on a shed.
Nit on UKSaabs but how often do great bargains like this come up?
stewjohnst said:
BlameItOnGT2 said:
Another great 'project' thread!
Between you and Stew's 147, I wish I had some cash to splash on a shed.
Nit on UKSaabs but how often do great bargains like this come up?
You do know the idea isn’t supposed to be to ‘splash cash’ on a shed...they just end up getting under your skin Between you and Stew's 147, I wish I had some cash to splash on a shed.
Nit on UKSaabs but how often do great bargains like this come up?
Which reminds me - 99t if you like the oem look for your stereo but would like to connect an iPod, etc. there is a hack you can do by hijacking the telephone in line and fitting a 3.5mm jack.
You just need the right part/cable (I have one spare you can have for free) and a little time on your hands to take a dash side panel off and plug it into the amplifier gubbins - it’s a standard SAAB part.
It isn’t brilliant and plays mini but it beats swapping in a new head unit from a looks perspective.
It’s similar to this but allows you to use the cable to play the feed down the ‘phone audio’ instead of faffing soldering the circuit boards.
One for a rainy day, il Larry to dig out the pdf full instructions if you want it.
http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=28000
You just need the right part/cable (I have one spare you can have for free) and a little time on your hands to take a dash side panel off and plug it into the amplifier gubbins - it’s a standard SAAB part.
It isn’t brilliant and plays mini but it beats swapping in a new head unit from a looks perspective.
It’s similar to this but allows you to use the cable to play the feed down the ‘phone audio’ instead of faffing soldering the circuit boards.
One for a rainy day, il Larry to dig out the pdf full instructions if you want it.
http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=28000
Amused by the above exchange! 
That said, I don't see cars pop up on there that cheaply very often, unless described as being on their last legs. So whilst the bargains are out there, I wouldn't say they are an every day event!
BlameItOnGT2 said:
Not on UKSaabs but how often do great bargains like this come up?
Well I've had two £350 Saabs from the classifieds on there and both turned out to be far better cars than the price would suggest.That said, I don't see cars pop up on there that cheaply very often, unless described as being on their last legs. So whilst the bargains are out there, I wouldn't say they are an every day event!
stewjohnst said:
BlameItOnGT2 said:
I wish I had some cash to splash on a shed.
You do know the idea isn’t supposed to be to ‘splash cash’ on a shed...they just end up getting under your skin Honestly I don't think I could do bangernomics, I have too much mechanical sympathy to drive around ignoring nasty noises and waiting for something to go bang!
stewjohnst said:
Which reminds me - 99t if you like the oem look for your stereo but would like to connect an iPod, etc. there is a hack you can do by hijacking the telephone in line and fitting a 3.5mm jack.
You just need the right part/cable (I have one spare you can have for free) and a little time on your hands to take a dash side panel off and plug it into the amplifier gubbins - it’s a standard SAAB part.
It isn’t brilliant and plays mini but it beats swapping in a new head unit from a looks perspective.
It’s similar to this but allows you to use the cable to play the feed down the ‘phone audio’ instead of faffing soldering the circuit boards.
One for a rainy day, il Larry to dig out the pdf full instructions if you want it.
http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=28000
Cheers for that, although since I've just sold my newest and bestest car (Z4) which needed no work whatsoever and bought another old American heap that will need plenty, I don't think I'll have any time on my hands ever again!! You just need the right part/cable (I have one spare you can have for free) and a little time on your hands to take a dash side panel off and plug it into the amplifier gubbins - it’s a standard SAAB part.
It isn’t brilliant and plays mini but it beats swapping in a new head unit from a looks perspective.
It’s similar to this but allows you to use the cable to play the feed down the ‘phone audio’ instead of faffing soldering the circuit boards.
One for a rainy day, il Larry to dig out the pdf full instructions if you want it.
http://saabworld.net/showthread.php?t=28000
One month on and no recurrence of the ABS warning lights so I'll call that fixed
As a reward, I treated the old bus to a replacement rear bumper in the correct colour as the old one had an ugly cut out for a non-existent tow bar, a deep dent and numerous scuffs and scratches down to the plastic
I'd like to say getting the old bumper off was easy, but that would be a lie.
Nowhere seemed to mention just what an utter b
d the four nuts located inside the rear end of the chassis rails would be to get at! It was bloody hot too so much sweating and swearing ensued.
Ended up deploying a long extension with a flex joint and a long socket to access them, combined with a piece of string tied around the socket to allow it to be manoeuvred onto the nut as finger access was an absolute no-no.
Finally
My mood was improved when I saw that, once again, the old girl is remarkably clean in her hidden places!
Reassembly was slightly less of a pain and the end result a small improvement in tidying up the rear end.
However, the tidy bumper just makes the dent in the tailgate look even more noticeable, so I will have to spend some money getting that done soon.
Plus a new number-plate and perhaps a less weedy looking tailpipe!! One step at a time though!
As a reward, I treated the old bus to a replacement rear bumper in the correct colour as the old one had an ugly cut out for a non-existent tow bar, a deep dent and numerous scuffs and scratches down to the plastic
I'd like to say getting the old bumper off was easy, but that would be a lie.
Nowhere seemed to mention just what an utter b
d the four nuts located inside the rear end of the chassis rails would be to get at! It was bloody hot too so much sweating and swearing ensued.Ended up deploying a long extension with a flex joint and a long socket to access them, combined with a piece of string tied around the socket to allow it to be manoeuvred onto the nut as finger access was an absolute no-no.
Finally
My mood was improved when I saw that, once again, the old girl is remarkably clean in her hidden places!
Reassembly was slightly less of a pain and the end result a small improvement in tidying up the rear end.
However, the tidy bumper just makes the dent in the tailgate look even more noticeable, so I will have to spend some money getting that done soon.
Plus a new number-plate and perhaps a less weedy looking tailpipe!! One step at a time though!
Two hundred and forty mile round trip yesterday, Preston to a bit south of Birmingham.
Steady cruise all the way as it was on work time(!) plus plenty of 50mph sections of course.
Brimmed the tank before joining the M6 and again upon my return.
Computer reckoned 41.8mpg for the round trip, I calculated 41.2mpg
Not bad at all for a big thirsty bus with an old school auto.
Of course my Octavia VRS used to average over 48mpg on the same trip and driven in much the same way, with a manual box and 500cc less. Worth the extra fuel spend in my opinion to arrive home without backache!
Steady cruise all the way as it was on work time(!) plus plenty of 50mph sections of course.
Brimmed the tank before joining the M6 and again upon my return.
Computer reckoned 41.8mpg for the round trip, I calculated 41.2mpg
Not bad at all for a big thirsty bus with an old school auto.
Of course my Octavia VRS used to average over 48mpg on the same trip and driven in much the same way, with a manual box and 500cc less. Worth the extra fuel spend in my opinion to arrive home without backache!
99t said:
Two hundred and forty mile round trip yesterday, Preston to a bit south of Birmingham.
Steady cruise all the way as it was on work time(!) plus plenty of 50mph sections of course.
Brimmed the tank before joining the M6 and again upon my return.
Computer reckoned 41.8mpg for the round trip, I calculated 41.2mpg
Not bad at all for a big thirsty bus with an old school auto.
Of course my Octavia VRS used to average over 48mpg on the same trip and driven in much the same way, with a manual box and 500cc less. Worth the extra fuel spend in my opinion to arrive home without backache!
My old 2.3 turbo would do 40mpg on my run to Poole from Taunton. 26mpg around town mind....worth it though. Put 40k on that car and it only cost me 2 DIY services and 4 part worn tyres!Steady cruise all the way as it was on work time(!) plus plenty of 50mph sections of course.
Brimmed the tank before joining the M6 and again upon my return.
Computer reckoned 41.8mpg for the round trip, I calculated 41.2mpg
Not bad at all for a big thirsty bus with an old school auto.
Of course my Octavia VRS used to average over 48mpg on the same trip and driven in much the same way, with a manual box and 500cc less. Worth the extra fuel spend in my opinion to arrive home without backache!
A year and a day since I picked the Saab up, all currently working well
The only failure during the year was the ABS controller which was rebuilt at sensible cost.
Two tyres and associated wheel refurbs, two lower arms, two drop links, the gearbox torque rod and gearbox mount were the only other costs as part of planned maintenance, along with a thermostat, oil, filter and coolant.
That little lot came to a smidgen over £700 (or double the purchase price!)
However having covered 6,000 comfortable and effortless miles (and assuming zero depreciation), then just under 12p per mile (excluding fuel, RFL etc) doesn't feel too bad and may well drop to under 10p before the next round of scheduled maintenance come the winter when I will rebuild the rear suspension as necessary...
The only failure during the year was the ABS controller which was rebuilt at sensible cost.
Two tyres and associated wheel refurbs, two lower arms, two drop links, the gearbox torque rod and gearbox mount were the only other costs as part of planned maintenance, along with a thermostat, oil, filter and coolant.
That little lot came to a smidgen over £700 (or double the purchase price!)
However having covered 6,000 comfortable and effortless miles (and assuming zero depreciation), then just under 12p per mile (excluding fuel, RFL etc) doesn't feel too bad and may well drop to under 10p before the next round of scheduled maintenance come the winter when I will rebuild the rear suspension as necessary...
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