Date: Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:09:29 -0000 From: jrh <joshuarhellernospaml.com> Subject: Re: Another DI Cassette failure problem
On Jul 16, 3:53 pm, jrh <joshuarhel...nospaml.com> wrote: > My 2001 Saab 9-3 convertible has had a repeated problem with the DI > cassette. I purchased it used at around 55k miles and have had it for > apx. 3 years and it now has 79k. In that time the DI cassette has > been replaced THREE times and just went out AGAIN. I know these are > not the most dependable part, but surely 4 in 24k miles is more > frequently that usual. My mechanic hasn't told me of a catalytic > converter problem that has been mentioned here and the engine light > has gone on each time (so thankfully I haven't been stranded or > experienced any of the other horror stories mentioned by some here). > > Is this just an absurdly expensive repair that I should expect as a > result of being a SAAB owner or does anyone know of anything else that > might be an issue that would lead to this repeated problem? > > Josh First of all, thank you to all those who responded to my inquiry. I have found everyone here to be incredibly helpful and friendly. However, I thought I should let ya'll (yes, I'm from the South) know what the verdict turned out to be (especially if someone else has the same issue). With the help of a very good mechanic (now that the dealer here is gone, if anyone in Tallahassee, FL needs one, backchannel me, and I'll be happy to give you a reference), I ultimately determined that the problem was really two problems. First, and most glaring, was that the crankshaft had simply gone bad. This problem was hardly obvious because the engine was coming up with a "300" code error, which apparently means random misfire, rather than the crankshaft error. Therefore, the incorrect error code was leading my prior techs down the wrong path. Additionally, even though I replaced the battery at 50K miles, it had also gone bad, which was another cause of the problem. Just for good measure, I also had an engine purge done, to remove any excess carbon that might have been causing trouble in the engine. Since then, she starts up great and drives better than when I first got her. My mechanic told me that when he talked to the Saab tech, he had to tell the guy numerous times that he had already replaced the DI cassette ("Are you sure you replaced the DI cassette?" "YES!") before he began considering other causes. Thanks again everyone! Josh
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