The banner above is an advertisment - if it asks you to download software, please ignore.
Site News - 3/26 M Car Covers (by State of Nine) | 12/12 Make Amazon Pay Saabnet!
Date: 7 Aug 2001 01:52:08 -0700
From: skieltynopsamritech.com (Shawn)
Subject: Re: Saab Ignition - Can I replace the switch with a generic switch  (long)


danny <dannynopsamia-espresso.com> wrote in message news:<3B6F3156.7C8B50FBnopsamia-espresso.com>... > Shawn wrote: > > > I have an 89 Saab 900 - And the ignition switch is toast - can I > > replace the ignition switch with a generic switch . .. ? Does any one > > have any experience with this -- > > > > Thanks in advance > > > > Shawn > > Is the switch completely toast? Sometimes it just can't handle the high > ignition load, and this can be overcome by installing a relay, operated by > the ignition switch - this reduces the load on the switch substantially, > and can avoid the contacts breaking down under high load. It is unlikely > that anything other than a Saab part will fit, Well - if you must know - no - the switch seems to be fine. when it's not in the car. The combination of wear on the lock cylinder - ignition mechanism and transmission locking device were too much for the owner to overcome all at once . I have broken several keys - due to the transmission lock/ignition cylinder being worn - I have burned two starters due to not being able to get the mechanism cleaned and functioning - the symptom being that the ignition key doesn't return after the starter starts the car - and the starter fries. The real problem lies in the fact that saab hasn't really engineered this car for someone who actually just wants to drive the car - drink coffee on the way to work, and not worry about what happens to fall into the funnel just above the ignition cylinder. The second real problem - is that no mechanic with the savvy to fix this problem will willingly work on a saab. The locking mechanism is all a good idea - but once it's worn out - it won't prevent the car from being stolen (mine was stolen in November last year). If you happen to be able to leave the car in 1st and get the key out (transmission not locked - thanks) - one can easily start the car by inserting anything into the keyway and turning it - because the lock isn't locked either. Since there are over 1500 messages on this board of people with saabs whose ignition doesn't work correctly - one might imagine Saab engineers busy with this stroke of genious. My solution - Rip the thing apart (If you want to know how to gracefully do this - I'll be happy to share - It's not easy - Be prepared to buy or make the special tools required) - dismantle and remove the transmission locking device - thereby eliminating that key breaking - (in)security problem. Eliminate the original lock switch and wornout dirty lock cylinder (leave it in to catch every scrap of dirt - coffee - or theif - that happens to get into the car) by hiding a new ignition switch somewhere else. The switch was fairly easy to wire - however - saab for some reason has the battery connected to the wrong end of the Acc switch position - which won't work with the $10 generic switch I bought - so I had to reverse those two. Does it work? - perhaps - if not - it's going to go to the junkyard - everything seems to work correctly - however - I still have to put in a new starter motor. I am hopeful - this car has given me many miles of useful service despite being such a pain.. If I didn't love to drive it - it would have been scrap long ago. As for my being happier or better off redoing what Saab did so badly- I'll take my chances. nothing about that system has left me with the confidence I need to drive this car across the desert in two weeks - which I plan to do. I am sure it will be intuition, magic and prayers that get me to Wisconsin... I'll be packing my tool box. Thanks -- Shawn

Return to Main Index
StateOfNine.com
SaabClub.com
Jak Stoll Performance
M Car Covers
Ad Available

The content on this site may not be republished without permission. Copyright © 1988-2024 - The Saab Network - saabnet.com.
For usage guidelines, see the Mission & Privacy Notice.
[Contact | Site Map | Saabnet.com on Facebook | Saabnet.com on Twitter | Shop Amazon via TSN | Site Donations]