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Re: Inconsistent Non Start
Posted by Ramblerdrver (more from Ramblerdrver) on Wed, 14 Feb 2001 00:32:00
In Reply to: , Kok Chen, Sat, 17 Dec 1988 12:00:00 

Way back on 1/5/01 I reported I was having some starting problems with my
98 900S turbo.  Occasionally it would crank & crank & crank over fine, but
no cylinder would fire off. Then it would suddenly start and run fine.  A
couple weeks later, on a particularily cold afternoon at work, the engine
refused to start at all (it still cranked over fine, tho). By this time I
was prepared to do a couple simple checks in hopes of pinpointing the
cause.  I listened for the fuel pump to start when first turning the key to
ignition (it was), then used a test lamp and/or voltmeter to see if the
main relay was working, the ignition cassette was getting 12v and that
there was a signal to the ECM from the crank position sensor...all checked
OK.  So, had it towed to the dealer.  They had it almost a week and found
that when it wouldn't start (it was inconsistant for them also, altho by
now I had realised that air temps of 20f and below  contributed to the
problem) there was no spark and no injector firing.  However, their tests
did not point to any specific cause for the failure.  They talked to Saab,
who said try a new ECM.  They did and engine started up ( but it may have
been inside and warm at that time). I took the car home, happy that maybe
problem was cured and that the emmission warantee covered the cost (car has
60,000 miles on it, so regular warantee had expired)!

However, the next morning the car, now in my unheated garage, once again
started reluctantly (had to hit started 2-3 times before engine fired off),
so I was sure problem was not found.  Sure enough, a week later, with temp
in garage at 13F, the engine refused to fire off. So, another tow to dealer
and much head scratching by the mechanic and several calls to Saab Tech
assistance.  Finally, the mechanic mentioned that the signal from the crank
position sensor seemed to vary a bit.  Saab said 'ah, that might be
it...we've had some problems with these in cars in cold climates !'. They
replace the sensor and the engine now has started normally two days in a
row even tho the temperature has been 10-15F each morning. So hopefully the
problem has been cured.

This wasn't covered under warantee so it cost me about $280 (sensor was
$118).  Not bad, considering how much time was spent on the car.  A friend
at work mentioned that a fellow he knew had the crank position sensor go
out on his Impala SS and it cost him $1000 because they had to remove the
front of the engine to get to it!  Nice to hear it cost more to repair a
Chevy then a Saab...altho I'm sure it doesn't happen often.

It may be important to note here that the sensor (in my car) did not
completely fail...it apparently still put out a voltage and the resistance
was apparently within specs.

Steve Parsons
88 900S, 93 9000CDE, 98 900S, 64 Rambler American (with points and
condensor ignition that works fine and can be repaired with a screwdriver
when it doesn't!!!)
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