1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I have a 99 Sedan and assume things are pretty similar. To remove the radio/acc, you can either get the Saab tool or use 4 small hex keys. If you push them into the 4 holes on either side of the radio, you'll hear/feel a small click. This disengages the locking mechanism and you can carefully tease the radio out via the keys and cassette opening. Once the radio is out, you can then remove the ACC as needed to access the wiring harness connection up towards the firewall. I seem to recall it had a bit of a trick to attaching the wiring harness - either had a cap or required pivoting the connector.
You can then route the wire toward the passenger footwell and out a small open area near the top of the carpet. My junction box is behind the passenger carpet and next to the center console. My antenna cable runs from the box to the door sill, to the back door sill, and then up the c-pillar to the roof. The antenna is to the right of the brake light. I tried putting it in the brake light housing, but its footprint obstructed too much of the light. If you go this route, be careful with the tabs that hold the brake light housing, as they break very easily and it is ~$40 to replace (you have to replace the entire light assembly). I opted for a short 4" antenna as most of my territory is covered pretty well. It looks much better than a 12-15" mast.
I first had a mounting stalk for the phone coming up from the floor. I later went to the Saab mount. It is quite nice and I like it better.
My only complaints... I first had a Nokia 2160. This year I switched plans and went with a 6160. For some reason the 6160 causes radio interference with weak-moderate stations when the battery is charging. The 2160 did not do this. Nokia and ATT were of no help in solving this and I can stop the interference by popping the phone off the ext antenna connection while it is charging. Maybe my antenna is mounted too close to the car FM antenna, but then why didn't the 2160 do this?
FWIW - It has puzzled me that Saab runs a coax to supply a roof mounted antenna, yet they advise against a roof mounted antenna because of potential damage. One of those things...
Best of luck - Peter
'99 9-5 59k Abbott'ized
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