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Replace mechanic with working model Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Tue, 6 Nov 2007 05:15:36 In Reply to: Chech engine light, Jim Kane, Mon, 5 Nov 2007 17:27:58 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
The CEL is the only way the LH2.4.2 system in your car has to communicate with the outside world. So CEL can mean that a sensor is slightly out of range impacting nothing, or that something very serious is going on.
The LH2.4.2 has some pretty good diagnostics, and it stores trouble codes. They can be read out with Saab-specific tools like the Tech II and ISAT, or with as simple as a piece of jumper wire that will trigger the ECU to flash the codes through the ECU.
Check the FAQ here:
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/faq/lhoverview.html
and Townsend's site here:
http://townsendimports.com/Web/engine_folder/24codes.htm
Both show how to get the codes out by simply jumpering two pins on the test connector in the engine compartment.
The next step is to interpret the codes. Don't assume they always point to needing a part. As an example, an O2 sensor fault such as 12225 - "O2 sensor faulty or preheat defective" does NOT necessarily mean replace the O2 sensor - it only means the O2 sensor signal is out of range. Yes, it could be the O2 sensor. Or it could be a simple vacuum leak which causes the engine to run lean and drives the O2 signal out of range.
My guess - it's a vacuum leak. Every car has a few. Look for cracked hoses, or hoses that have simply fallen off. A common, hard to find one is the hose to the charcoal canister. Since it is buried in the front right fender, nobody looks there. Simply remove the front right turn signal assembly (a screw or two) and look in. You should see the fat hose from the throttle body that goes into the fender connect to a valve nipple on top of the canister. Often with turbos, everpresent oil vapor lubes up the hose, and turbo pressure blows it off.
Other reasons for a bad O2 sensor reading are too rich a mixture - like a bad/leaking FPR (fuel pressure regulator).
That's why I'd find a different mechanic. If he/she doesn't know how to read out codes on a Saab, they're probably not tuned to the issues of this model. And if they couldn't figure out how to read codes, they're probably not enthusiastic troubleshooters. Likely they'll start throwing parts at it depending on the trouble codes. Not a cheap approach.
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