Date: Wed, 19 Apr 2006 22:48:30 GMT From: "Walt Kienzle" <wkienzlenospam.com> Subject: Re: Radiator Fan is killing my battery!
> "Will Frazier" <leibestoternospamail.com> writes: >> Hey everyone. I have a 1988 Saab 9000. After purchasing the vehicle >> from the previous owner, I noticed that the radiator fan would stay on >> after the car had shut off (i'm not sure if this is normal). some >> months later, the fan switch went bad, and i replaced it. After >> replacing the fan switch, I began to pay more attention to the fan, >> seeing that it now switches on whenever the car is started, regardless >> of how cold the engine is, and it will stay on for 10 or so minutes, >> regardless of how long the engine is running. This has been causing my >> battery to go dead whenever i turn the car on for a short period. I >> could really use some advice on this one. Could I have possibly hooked >> the fan switch up wrong? > I remember reading about a problem with early 9000's that would cause the fan to run too long and eventually cause the battery to go flat. The problem was the fan control relay that went faulty. The relay normally allows the fan to run for about 5 minutes after the engine is turned off. IIRC, the Saab recommended solution was a new relay part number that changed or eliminated the fan running after engine shutoff. Saab moved the relays around over the years, but I think it is in the box in the engine bay that also houses the headlight relays -- don't hold me to this, though. If it isn't there, the rest of the relays are above the fuse panel. You can access them by removing the glove box and then the fuse panel. I expect you can also access them by removing the top of the dash panel. I have never managed to accomplish this myself, though. While/if you are working at the fuse panel, check the tightness of the nut and bolt that attaches a thick, red wire (main feed from the battery) to the fuse panel. There were reports that if this connection loosened, you would get electrical problems and possibly a fire behind the dashboard. There were a few reports of fires even after the engine was shut off. Walt Kienzle 1991 9000T
