Electrical gremlins and Immobilizer Failure.... help please! - Saab 9-3SS Bulletin Board - Saabnet.com
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Electrical gremlins and Immobilizer Failure.... help please!
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Posted by Vincent [Email] (more from Vincent) on Tue, 23 Oct 2018 12:23:43 Share Post by Email
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Hi fellow Saabers! I could really use some help with the following....any guidance would be greatly appreciated. The dash shows an Immobilizer Failure. That could mean several things, so let me tell you the specific symptoms....

Vehicle: 2003 9-3 Vector, 85k miles

Key symptoms:
- "Immobilizer Failure" displayed on dash
- Power door locks aren't functioning (from the key or from the door controls)
- Recurring sound near the driver's fuse box: Sound comes on for 10 seconds, then off for 5 seconds. And repeats in that pattern nonstop. Occurs when the car is turned on or off. See link below for video. The only way I can get it to stop is by disconnecting the battery. I think it might be the BCM or a short nearby, but I'm just guessing.
- Headlight controls aren't functioning: lights stay on, even when the light switch is turned to off
- Secondary dash lights stay on indefinitely (even when car is turned off)
- Interior cabin fan not working (may or may not be related, as that stopped running a week before the immobilizer failure and above symptoms)

Other info:
- The engine still turns on, so it doesn't seem like an ignition issue. Some of the other electronics (power windows and radio) still work.
- I thought it could be the battery, but I checked the voltage, and it seems to be fine (11.5 volts with engine off, and 14.5 with engine on).
- Not relevant: the headlight leveling error (as seen in the video)....that's been an error for a while now, and it's not related to or as pressing as the current issue.

Where I need help:
- Any thoughts on what this could be? A short (location?), the BCM, anything else?
- Any guidance on how to precisely diagnose this? I realize I'll probably have to connect a tech 2, but I'm trying to minimize my costs (so would like to avoid multiple visits to the shop).
- Also, if you know of any good Saab shops in the San Francisco bay area that really know their electrical systems (and won't charge me an arm and a leg), I'm all ears.

Videos:
- Description of recurring sound: https://youtu.be/K1WU280zBcE?t=20
- Overview of symptoms: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPwuo9hzHjA

Thank you so much!

posted by 71.145.20...

https://youtu.be/K1WU280zBcE?t=20


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