AboutJerry Schwell Expertise Most anything about SAAB 900's 1990 and earlier only, except for automatic transmission info. Also, I have lotsa vintage parts.
Experience I have rebuilt many dozens of SAABS, from 1970's to 1990's.
Education/Credentials BSEE grad work in electronics and underwater acoustics.
Expert: Jerry Schwell Date: 8/4/2008 Subject: starting problem
Question Occasionally my 94 900-S won't start - mostly after stopping for 5-10 minutes in a store. Much more often on hot days, will even stall and not start - once going down hill it stopped but I left it in gear and it caught. I can jump start it when it occurs (it does turn over fine when it happens). Last time it happened I checked the plug wire and no electricity was coming from it. It's at the shop now and they thought it was the fuel pump until I told them about not getting juice from the wire. My crank sensor was replaced (they said it read a code) 6 mo's ago in hopes of curing it. No luck. The current place is trying to get it not to start again. I think they are thinking something between the sensor and the fuel pump is not relaying electricity. Any ideas? It's gotten progressively worse over the last 3 years. I'm a glutton for punishment, but I'd really like to keep this car.
Answer Neil:
As noted in my profile, my hands-on experience is limited to the 1990 and older models, thus I can only offer 'generic' comments.From your description, its still not clear whether spark or fuel supply is the problem. When you said "no electricity was coming from the plug wire" did you mean "no spark"? A simple test for spark I have done is as follows:tune the radio to an unused spot on the AM dial...listen for background static noise...some will be contributed by the ignition system. If, when it happens try to listen for any change in that background .....indicative of a spark failure.
Also, try the website <www.alldatadiy.com> for the most comprehensive data obtainable for your particular model..$25/year, but well worth it. It may help troubleshoot the path of failure.
It sounds like the shop is on the 'right track'; some things can be baffling at first.
