Date: Sun, 15 Jan 2006 20:15:12 GMT From: "pablo" <pabloATnospamlyhombreDOT.net> Subject: Mildly entertaining SID tale
Some may remember how I asked, about 6 months ago, about missing pixels on a SID display (pardon the redundacy, since the acronym stands for system information display, I guess). Shortly thereafter, on a scheduled service, the SID unit was replaced entirely under warranty. Just making some conversation, I said I was someehat worried about the SID's reputed tendency to fail, and thus even questioned the need to replace it because a few pixels are randomly missing. I was however told that this was a 2005 SID unit, a new and much improved model, with all deficiencies ironed out. Since I own a '02 9-3 SE convertible (w/ every package available, and love it) and the warranty was about to run out soon, before pikcing up my car from the service I went over to the sales room and got myself a decent deal on a complete extended warranty package, which covers even more than the origina warranty. Thus, I can take whatever happens in the next couple of years with some humor, and worry later depending on how long I really end up keeping the car (which I hope is very long, that's why I bought a Saab). Yesterday, upon starting up the car, I noticed the SID had gone totally dead. All in all, I don't think the information it displays is vital to operate the car, so it's amusing how little it bothered me *none* of the pixels were working - at least it doesn't look broken, it just looks like one chose to turn it off (which should be an option Saab ought to consider given the device's reliability or entertainingly ridiculous lack thereof). However, what seems silly is that the SID seems to incorporate odd pieces of lgic for other components of the car that get seemingly randomly routed through it. Witness the fact that, while the blinkers work, the audible blinker clicking noise will only work randomly now that the SID broke. Also, if the music is playing and one tries to turn the volume up with the steering wheel mounted controls, the volume will rapidly crank up all the way to max volume upon touching the "up" button, which is rather alarming with the premium stereo watts available in the '02 SE (adolescent drivers might love that feature, though). Odd, from an electronics design point of view, what functions Saab somehow decided to partially route through the SID for what seems to be no reason whatsoever. The function of the SID just seemed to be the one of an integrated calculator for some functions - the fact such an unreliable device seemingly implements some *functional* stuff seems to be a poor engineering decision. I'll get this thing replaced as often as required, I mean, come on, there is no excuse for this device being as unreliable as it is, and Saab ought to perhaps simply open the specifications to some aftermarket people that do a more competent job. ...pablo
