SAAB 900 Classic Convertible
Discussion
This is my Mothers Saab. She gave up driving around 3 years ago and it has been garaged since.
The car is mostly sound, although the pictures don't show how dusty the car is. My plan is to get the car up to shape, MOT'd and hopefully get some use out of it before the end of summer.
o/s/f wheel arch needs replaced
o/s/r arch has a scab, possibly goes under the plastic trim
scratch on the drivers door. I'm hoping a local chips away guy can sort this.
The screen has ( delaminated? ) in this corner. I'm hoping the convertible has the same screen as the saloons / hatches. Anyone know for sure?
The car was bought new (1992 K plate) and rustproofed at that time. Apart from the above pictures it all quite tidy. You can see from this "before" picture that the car needs a proper clean.
Lastly, here is a picture of the car washed earlier today.
Hoping to start polishing the car tomorrow. I'll also post up my "To Do" list of jobs needing done.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for looking.
The car is mostly sound, although the pictures don't show how dusty the car is. My plan is to get the car up to shape, MOT'd and hopefully get some use out of it before the end of summer.
o/s/f wheel arch needs replaced
o/s/r arch has a scab, possibly goes under the plastic trim
scratch on the drivers door. I'm hoping a local chips away guy can sort this.
The screen has ( delaminated? ) in this corner. I'm hoping the convertible has the same screen as the saloons / hatches. Anyone know for sure?
The car was bought new (1992 K plate) and rustproofed at that time. Apart from the above pictures it all quite tidy. You can see from this "before" picture that the car needs a proper clean.
Lastly, here is a picture of the car washed earlier today.
Hoping to start polishing the car tomorrow. I'll also post up my "To Do" list of jobs needing done.
Any advice would be greatly appreciated, and thanks for looking.
Thanks adcy, i bet the screen isn't cheap! I'm ok with the spanners but a bonded screen isn't something i would even attempt. I will look more into the costs once i progress a bit.
Cheers Job38. As projects go, it should be fairly easy. As i said earlier, it is a one owner / low mileage car that has been serviced once a year. I should have pulled my finger out a few weeks back and i could be enjoying the sun!
Didn't have much time today, but i managed to get the bonnet machine polished. It's the first time i have used one and went ok. TBH, i think i could have achieved similar results by hand though. I was too nervous of going through the paint!
Not a great picture of todays work
Hoping to get a few more panels done at the weekend and next week, time permitting.
After that i'll give the engine a service and try and arrange for the car to be collected for its MoT.
Thanks all.
Cheers Job38. As projects go, it should be fairly easy. As i said earlier, it is a one owner / low mileage car that has been serviced once a year. I should have pulled my finger out a few weeks back and i could be enjoying the sun!
Didn't have much time today, but i managed to get the bonnet machine polished. It's the first time i have used one and went ok. TBH, i think i could have achieved similar results by hand though. I was too nervous of going through the paint!
Not a great picture of todays work
Hoping to get a few more panels done at the weekend and next week, time permitting.
After that i'll give the engine a service and try and arrange for the car to be collected for its MoT.
Thanks all.
Managed to get the boot polished this morning. Still using the machine polisher, but i could have achieved the same results by hand. I'm hoping practise makes perfect.
Made a quick list of what is needing done. In no particular order ;
polish and wax
paint windscreen frame / replace windscreen
o/s/f plastic arch needs replaced ( i have one )
service
MoT
central locking not working
front electric windows are very slow and dont go fully up without assistance
interior light not working
a few small scratches needing touched up
That list is not exhaustive, but it's enough to be getting on with.
If anyone knows anything about these faults, feel free to comment. Advice always appreciated!
Cheers
Made a quick list of what is needing done. In no particular order ;
polish and wax
paint windscreen frame / replace windscreen
o/s/f plastic arch needs replaced ( i have one )
service
MoT
central locking not working
front electric windows are very slow and dont go fully up without assistance
interior light not working
a few small scratches needing touched up
That list is not exhaustive, but it's enough to be getting on with.
If anyone knows anything about these faults, feel free to comment. Advice always appreciated!
Cheers
Managed to get the offside front wing polished before the car was collected by the garage for its Mot. And after a long day of checking my phone, to make sure it was still working, the garage called to say it had passed! There were a few advisories, which i'll go over with the garage tomorrow.
Master plan is to get the polishing finished,then start on giving the engine bay a clean. Since the car was new, i've sprayed WD40 / chain lube every now and then to keep the rust away. Its worked, but under the bonnet needs a good clean.
Hoping to get this done by Sunday PM. After this i'll do the service, but i'm working away from home for a bit so progress will slow.
Thanks for looking and any advice appreciated.
I didn't know how long the car was going to be off the road, and i didn't want to lose the private registration. I put them on retention, so the car is now on its K plate. Looks odd to me, for the last 20 years its always had " 123 GGB " on it. Now the car is MoT'd, the private plates will be going back on it in the next few weeks. That was a waste of money for transfers and retention.
Anyway, the polishing is complete, and i got a coat of wax on it yesterday. The old Saab is starting to look quite presentable again.
I'm getting less time to work on it now, but under bonnet, hood clean and the black plastic trim are next on the list.
Bonnet half waxed, don't know if this will show up.
And all shiny.
Thanks for looking.
Anyway, the polishing is complete, and i got a coat of wax on it yesterday. The old Saab is starting to look quite presentable again.
I'm getting less time to work on it now, but under bonnet, hood clean and the black plastic trim are next on the list.
Bonnet half waxed, don't know if this will show up.
And all shiny.
Thanks for looking.
Been working away, but managed a few hours last and this weekend. Because of the limited time i decided to work on the boot. Stand by for some exciting pictures!
Removed the false floor and emptied the boot. Good points are ; no major rust, and nothing missing. Even the locking wheel nut and plastic bag for carrying the spare are still there.
Bad points ; space saver was flat. No idea if it's punctured or just flat after 20 odd year of non use. Managed to tighten the valve half a turn so hopefully its this. I've re inflated, and i'll check again in a few weeks.
Boot interior light wasn't working. Tested the bulb, all OK there. Turns out there was a blown fuse under the rear seat. Result, boot light now good, and the interior light and central locking now working. An easy job.
Lastly, there was a rust scab on the offside of the boot opening, hidden when the boot is closed ;
No pictures yet of the next step. Removed the light and masked off the rust. Then wire brushed with a drill back to bare metal. There is a small hole aprox 20mm x 10mm hidden behind the rear light. I know my limits with bodywork, so this will get fixed along with the other paint issues. In the meantime i treated the area with rust killer, undercoat, then 2 coats of model paint. Not a great colour match, but it wont get any worse in the near future, and it is hidden with the boot closed. I'll post some pictures of the repair next weekend when i'm back home.
Next weekends plans are to finish off the boot area. Also, depending on weather, i am hoping to get the roof treated with a Renovo kit.
As always, any advice appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
Oh PS, Anyone know where the jack handle gets stowed?
Removed the false floor and emptied the boot. Good points are ; no major rust, and nothing missing. Even the locking wheel nut and plastic bag for carrying the spare are still there.
Bad points ; space saver was flat. No idea if it's punctured or just flat after 20 odd year of non use. Managed to tighten the valve half a turn so hopefully its this. I've re inflated, and i'll check again in a few weeks.
Boot interior light wasn't working. Tested the bulb, all OK there. Turns out there was a blown fuse under the rear seat. Result, boot light now good, and the interior light and central locking now working. An easy job.
Lastly, there was a rust scab on the offside of the boot opening, hidden when the boot is closed ;
No pictures yet of the next step. Removed the light and masked off the rust. Then wire brushed with a drill back to bare metal. There is a small hole aprox 20mm x 10mm hidden behind the rear light. I know my limits with bodywork, so this will get fixed along with the other paint issues. In the meantime i treated the area with rust killer, undercoat, then 2 coats of model paint. Not a great colour match, but it wont get any worse in the near future, and it is hidden with the boot closed. I'll post some pictures of the repair next weekend when i'm back home.
Next weekends plans are to finish off the boot area. Also, depending on weather, i am hoping to get the roof treated with a Renovo kit.
As always, any advice appreciated.
Thanks for looking.
Oh PS, Anyone know where the jack handle gets stowed?
Thank you Alfahorn.
Cheers Vince. The colour is Imola Red (240?). I'll get some quotes / advice from local painters. I wouldn't attempt the exterior paint defects. I may give the rust spot on the boot a go. If it goes wrong then it's still hidden behind the lid.
I might also try the windscreen frame. It would be easy to mask up, and there's no blending in etc.
Kcrimson, i think it has done around 65000 miles.
I'm quite enjoying the car. Because it's not my main car, i'm under no time pressure to get jobs finished.
Cheers Vince. The colour is Imola Red (240?). I'll get some quotes / advice from local painters. I wouldn't attempt the exterior paint defects. I may give the rust spot on the boot a go. If it goes wrong then it's still hidden behind the lid.
I might also try the windscreen frame. It would be easy to mask up, and there's no blending in etc.
Kcrimson, i think it has done around 65000 miles.
I'm quite enjoying the car. Because it's not my main car, i'm under no time pressure to get jobs finished.
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
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.
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.
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.
Thanks for the reply RA. I'm getting the pulse ( though it is 3 seconds ) on the test lamp from the violet. But when the alarm is off, the orange is permanently lighting the test lamp. Is this a sign that the alarm unit is faulty?
The solenoid in the drivers doors is this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290926980510?ssPageName=...
When i supply 12v to this on the bench it isn't working.
It makes sense that a permanent supply to the solenoid has burnt it out, plus its over 20 year old too.
On a different note, does anyone know what this black plastic barrel in the top heater hose does?
The solenoid in the drivers doors is this one
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290926980510?ssPageName=...
When i supply 12v to this on the bench it isn't working.
It makes sense that a permanent supply to the solenoid has burnt it out, plus its over 20 year old too.
On a different note, does anyone know what this black plastic barrel in the top heater hose does?
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