2000 saab 9-3 sometimes doesnt want to start.

[Felipe vieyra]

I have a 9-3 saab and i am begginig to have starting problems with it. it tends to start sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. Like it doesnt even try to start u can't hear nothin. one time it was early morning and all of a sudden the car wouldn't start until i brought it in nuetral then it started but it only does it sometimes. So if u have any ideas please help us out i will appreciate it. i bought the car like 3 monthes ago with 94,000 miles on it. thanx felipe

[john]

hope you got an answer to your problem. I am looking to buy the same car with 100k miles. Are you still happy with your purchase. Anything you can share about the 2000 Saab 9-3?

[ucantbsrius]

Felipe vieyra wrote:

I have a 9-3 saab and i am begginig to have starting problems with it. it tends to start sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. Like it doesnt even try to start u can't hear nothin. one time it was early morning and all of a sudden the car wouldn't start until i brought it in nuetral then it started but it only does it sometimes. So if u have any ideas please help us out i will appreciate it. i bought the car like 3 monthes ago with 94,000 miles on it. thanx felipe

there is a recall for Components: ELECTRICAL SYSTEM:IGNITION:MODULE
Call a dealer and see if your car has been done. I have one. I love it. The only bad thing I've found is this era of 9/3 does not get very good fuel mileage. The best I can get is 25 average with interstate miles only. Otherwise, it's wonderful. I looked at a new 9-3(2007) and decided to keep mine. It was a nice car. I just liked mine much more.

[Mary]

I'm looking at a 2000 9-3 hatchback and after looking at it I was told that it sometime has a problem starting also. I just wondering if this is a common reoccuring problem?

[ucantbsrius]

Mary wrote:

I'm looking at a 2000 9-3 hatchback and after looking at it I was told that it sometime has a problem starting also. I just wondering if this is a common reoccuring problem?

Might be the recall for the ignition issue. But I wouldn't buy it until I took it to a dealer to diagnose. It would be worth the couple hundred to prevent having a driveway ornament.

[mrip09]

I have a 2000 9-3 convertible saab. I have been told recently from the dealer that I need a new motor. There are 91K on the car, the body is in great condition, the wheels are new. I have been told to junk the car. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I would like to dispose of the car but it seems such a shame to not get anything out of it financially, especially since everything else is in good condition on the vehicle.

[ucantbsrius]

mrip09 wrote:

I have a 2000 9-3 convertible saab. I have been told recently from the dealer that I need a new motor. There are 91K on the car, the body is in great condition, the wheels are new. I have been told to junk the car. Does anyone have any other suggestions? I would like to dispose of the car but it seems such a shame to not get anything out of it financially, especially since everything else is in good condition on the vehicle.

Junk it? that would be a crime. If everything is as you say, go to www.saabnet.com and check out the classified section. If your not about to part it out sell it "as is, not running, motor no good" there.
Someone could easily yank out that motor and put in a good one pretty cheap.

[mrip09]

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I was told to place it on ebay & sell "as is" or in the local paper etc. I don't think I would be able to "part it out" as you say... I am a women & I turn the key & go. I would like to get a few $$ for it, as I said the car itself is in very good condition- the body is fine, new tires- just had all the wood placed inside the vehicle during the course of the summer.. Had new A/C compressor also over the summer...As u can see it will be difficult to part with it.:o(

[ucantbsrius]

mrip09 wrote:

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I was told to place it on ebay & sell "as is" or in the local paper etc. I don't think I would be able to "part it out" as you say... I am a women & I turn the key & go. I would like to get a few $$ for it, as I said the car itself is in very good condition- the body is fine, new tires- just had all the wood placed inside the vehicle during the course of the summer.. Had new A/C compressor also over the summer...As u can see it will be difficult to part with it.:o(

They are very nice cars. Did you have manufacturer suggested dealer maintenance done? If so, you might be covered by a recall for sludge in those engines that causes engine failure.

[mrip09]

The dealer is the one who told me the engine is done & that I had a week to decide what i wanted to do w/the vehicle. They would dispose for me or I could retrive the car.

I am unsure as to what you mean by "mfr suggested dealer maitenance".

[ucantbsrius]

mrip09 wrote:

The dealer is the one who told me the engine is done & that I had a week to decide what i wanted to do w/the vehicle. They would dispose for me or I could retrive the car.
I am unsure as to what you mean by "mfr suggested dealer maitenance".

was the car maintenance done by the dealer at the recommended time schedual.
for example. 3000 mile oil changes, 50000 service, 70000 mile service.
I wouldn't let the dealer take the car to "junk it"

I would contact another dealer.

On saabnet.com there is a technical chat for all at 9-11pm EST. There is a saab tech who is very user friendly.
http://saabnet.com/tsn/chat/

Just log in and post a question just the same way you did on TOPIX. That car in good condition is not junk. Even with a blown motor.
The tech will give you a better idea how to proceed, whether it is a recall or not etc.
you might wish to research this a little

http://www.carsurvey.org/viewcomments_review_...

[saabsaabsaab]

I've owned 5 Saabs (900's and 9-3's) and consider myself a pretty good judge of these cars. Every Saab I owned pretty much had the same problems at the same time. In my opinion, the cars are being poorly built and I wouldn't be surprised if the brand disappears altogether in the next 2-3 years.
They depreciate faster and further than any other car I know. If you scour the internet you will find people giving them away just to get them out of their driveways.

We all know about the AC failing, the antenna motor going, the dashboard lights failing, the engine knocking, problems with the convertible tops, etc. etc. but the thing that annoys me the most is the Saab emblems on the hood and trunk. You will be hard pressed to find a Saab 5 years old or older that still has the blue emblems on the car. You won't see that from any other manufacturer in the world. Of all the things you'd think a manufacturer would make sure to last, it would be their emblem. This tells me alot about the company.

They used to make great cars but thats over.

[ucantbsrius]

saabsaabsaab wrote:

I've owned 5 Saabs (900's and 9-3's) and consider myself a pretty good judge of these cars. Every Saab I owned pretty much had the same problems at the same time. In my opinion, the cars are being poorly built and I wouldn't be surprised if the brand disappears altogether in the next 2-3 years.
They depreciate faster and further than any other car I know. If you scour the internet you will find people giving them away just to get them out of their driveways.
We all know about the AC failing, the antenna motor going, the dashboard lights failing, the engine knocking, problems with the convertible tops, etc. etc. but the thing that annoys me the most is the Saab emblems on the hood and trunk. You will be hard pressed to find a Saab 5 years old or older that still has the blue emblems on the car. You won't see that from any other manufacturer in the world. Of all the things you'd think a manufacturer would make sure to last, it would be their emblem. This tells me alot about the company.
They used to make great cars but thats over.

I guess I've been pretty lucky then. I love my Saab.

[SAABDOC]

Felipe vieyra wrote:

I have a 9-3 saab and i am begginig to have starting problems with it. it tends to start sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. Like it doesnt even try to start u can't hear nothin. one time it was early morning and all of a sudden the car wouldn't start until i brought it in nuetral then it started but it only does it sometimes. So if u have any ideas please help us out i will appreciate it. i bought the car like 3 monthes ago with 94,000 miles on it. thanx felipe

Sounds like a problem with the neutral position switch. The power for the starter solinoid goes through the nuetral position switch assembly on top of the transmission. Its also called a range position switch. If you hear nothing, no click from the starter solinoid, I would suspect this switch. You may also have a fault code for range position switch in the TCM (transmission control module)

[vir]

My 1999-93 also haev started withthe problem of starting in the morning.
It takes two to four trials before it fires up.
To me it looks like it d`oes not get the fuel in the throttle body and it may be a problem of injectors being pluged.

Felipe vieyra wrote:

I have a 9-3 saab and i am begginig to have starting problems with it. it tends to start sometimes and sometimes it doesn't. Like it doesnt even try to start u can't hear nothin. one time it was early morning and all of a sudden the car wouldn't start until i brought it in nuetral then it started but it only does it sometimes. So if u have any ideas please help us out i will appreciate it. i bought the car like 3 monthes ago with 94,000 miles on it. thanx felipe

[River914]

OK, I have the same intermediate starting problem. 2000 Saab 9-3 convertible runs great when it's running. Starting problem started after 100000 mile Dealer service at which time the dealer replaced under recall a fuel line problem and the DI Cassette. Now after replacing the turbo boost pressure value, idle control value, and alternator the starting problem is still there. Yesterday after 4 days in the shop,they found no problems, I drove to work and the car performed great, turbo power and all. The car was parked for 8 hours in the sun and when I left work, the darn thing would not hit a lick. I walked to a neighborhood bar for several hours then called a taxi. Before the taxi arrived I walked over to the SAAB thinking of shooting the darn thing, but instead slid behind the wheel and guess what she/it started on the first try. I'm afraid to drive it now because I do not want to get stranded. I have another NEW in the box DIC and plan on replacing the one the dealer installed less than a year ago. I'll keep you all posted on the results.

[River914]

Replaced the DIC. Ran like the Saab's I have had in the past all day yesterday. Interstate, mountain roads ran great. Failed to start this morning. I disconnected the battery for 40 seconds and it started. I started to take it back to the dealer but I'm broke from fixin. I'll let you know if it starts when I leave the office. It's sad when a company that once took pride in their products now longer care about their name.

[ucantbsrius]

River914 wrote:

Replaced the DIC. Ran like the Saab's I have had in the past all day yesterday. Interstate, mountain roads ran great. Failed to start this morning. I disconnected the battery for 40 seconds and it started. I started to take it back to the dealer but I'm broke from fixin. I'll let you know if it starts when I leave the office. It's sad when a company that once took pride in their products now longer care about their name.

This sounds a little simple, but have you taken it to a Parts shop like advance or NAPA? Many of them have one of those little doomahickies(code reader) they can plug it in and get the codes for you.

[River914]

Local Dealership's and another Foreign Auto Repair shop's mechinics have found no problem and said the codes they found were corrected. I'm going to let them tell that to my wife the next time it fails. Right now I can't take it to a shop, it will not start. The repair shop I trust and use for other vehicles doesn't have the software for their diagnotic equipment.

I would have it towed back to the dealer but I feel that I’m wasting my time and money. 2000 Saab SE Convertible 5 speed manual 2.0L Turbo – Not running.

To see if fuel was getting to the engine, the Dealer Mechanic removed a cap directly behind engine to the right of the oil dipstick and pressed a value, gas spews out. Spark to plug, I don’t know. But before deciding that it’s a DIC issue, please read the vehicles history.

At the 100K service this year, the local Saab Dealer replaced the DI cassette and fuel line clips on a recall. Dealer also replaced fuel filter and a transmission bracket, replaced battery and reset check engine light. Next trip dealer replaced alternator. Each time for awhile after the maintenance the car runs great, the turbo (see turbo in next paragraph) spins up; good boost pressure, just fun to drive. Park it; lock it and the next time you get into the car it will not start, cranks but will not start.

Last week, a foreign car repair shop that specializes in Saab, all systems performed within specs; printout showed turbo, battery, alternator, and etc. all within range. Drove to work with the top down and a smile on my face; after being parked 8 hours (in the sun) the car would not start. I went to a local bar and waited for a ride. When my ride arrived a couple hours later, I tried the car on a whim and it started. I drove home easy and parked. The next morning it did not crank. That afternoon, I replaced the DIC with a new one ordered before the recall. Car started; drove my 92 year old neighbor around the neighborhood, took him home and parked. Car started minutes later when I returned home (less than 100 yards). Parked and locked car, only the next morning it is not starting again. I replaced the DIC with the one the dealer had replaced, leaving the battery disconnected during replacement and 5 minutes after replacement. Reset system by holding all three buttons on the remote while inside locked car. Car will not start.

Please help, I have spent literally days researching the internet and it seems that this is a common problem with this model and no one seems to have an answer.

My next step is to learn how to replace the CPS (Crank Position Sensor?) but I’m not sure where it is? I haven’t been able to locate a shop manual for this model. My previous Saab an OLD 900 Turbo was a great car; l had a shop manual and could usually handle most repair work. It’s sad that the Saab name is being tarnished by these cars and the lack of concern by GM.

[ucantbsrius]

River914 wrote:

Local Dealership's and another Foreign Auto Repair shop's mechinics have found no problem and said the codes they found were corrected. I'm going to let them tell that to my wife the next time it fails. Right now I can't take it to a shop, it will not start. The repair shop I trust and use for other vehicles doesn't have the software for their diagnotic equipment.
I would have it towed back to the dealer but I feel that I’m wasting my time and money. 2000 Saab SE Convertible 5 speed manual 2.0L Turbo – Not running.
To see if fuel was getting to the engine, the Dealer Mechanic removed a cap directly behind engine to the right of the oil dipstick and pressed a value, gas spews out. Spark to plug, I don’t know. But before deciding that it’s a DIC issue, please read the vehicles history.
At the 100K service this year, the local Saab Dealer replaced the DI cassette and fuel line clips on a recall. Dealer also replaced fuel filter and a transmission bracket, replaced battery and reset check engine light. Next trip dealer replaced alternator. Each time for awhile after the maintenance the car runs great, the turbo (see turbo in next paragraph) spins up; good boost pressure, just fun to drive. Park it; lock it and the next time you get into the car it will not start, cranks but will not start.
Last week, a foreign car repair shop that specializes in Saab, all systems performed within specs; printout showed turbo, battery, alternator, and etc. all within range. Drove to work with the top down and a smile on my face; after being parked 8 hours (in the sun) the car would not start. I went to a local bar and waited for a ride. When my ride arrived a couple hours later, I tried the car on a whim and it started. I drove home easy and parked. The next morning it did not crank. That afternoon, I replaced the DIC with a new one ordered before the recall. Car started; drove my 92 year old neighbor around the neighborhood, took him home and parked. Car started minutes later when I returned home (less than 100 yards). Parked and locked car, only the next morning it is not starting again. I replaced the DIC with the one the dealer had replaced, leaving the battery disconnected during replacement and 5 minutes after replacement. Reset system by holding all three buttons on the remote while inside locked car. Car will not start.
Please help, I have spent literally days researching the internet and it seems that this is a common problem with this model and no one seems to have an answer.
My next step is to learn how to replace the CPS (Crank Position Sensor?) but I’m not sure where it is? I haven’t been able to locate a shop manual for this model. My previous Saab an OLD 900 Turbo was a great car; l had a shop manual and could usually handle most repair work. It’s sad that the Saab name is being tarnished by these cars and the lack of concern by GM.

I know these cars do not a "coil". But your car is acting like it has a bad coil. Once they heat up they won't restart until cool.