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1999-2009 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
This post is a follow up to the following thread:
http://www.saabnet.com/tsn/bb/9-5/index.html?bID=146498
Again, thanks to everyone for your advice.
Picked up a case of ATF, and went to work. I was surprised how easy it was to locate the plug, drain the trans and refill. It took about 10-15 mins per cycle.
No sign of coolant contamination, but the fluid was quite dirty. The plug magnet was caked with metal fines, and the fluid had a metallic iridescent quality--it looked a lot like hammertone paint.
As an added bonus, i discovered that the water pump is leaking (fill coolant message mystery solved).
I flushed/filled/drove 3 times with absolutely no improvement. After the third refill and driving about 5 minutes, the trans completely disengaged again. I waited a few minutes, started up again and it once again engaged. This time, after a rough upshift from 2->3, the "check gearbox" light came on and it locked into limp home mode.
I called the local indy, Saabtech. Asked if i should just push the thing in the river and just be done with it, but he told me that 68k was too soon to give up on it. He said that it could still be something electronic, but i'm not going to kid myself--the trans is toast, and between the trans and the water pump, the repair bill is likely to approach or perhaps exceed the value of the car.
This situation is extremely disheartening for me, and not for monetary reasons. This car has been my friend for 4+ years. Other than a few door dings and bumper nicks (hard to avoid this in chicago), she looks great. Handles great, too. The recent addition of bilstein hd's on the back end made her handle better than ever.
At any rate, I decided to test drive a few A6s this afternoon, and I left the Audi dealership less impressed than i thought i should have. The A6 is a beautiful car and has a delicious interior, but I felt somewhat disconnected from the driving experience.
I'd love to buy a new 9-5 Aero, or perhaps the 9-3 Aero convertible, but with all of the problems I've had with this car, I do not feel that the brand has earned my continued loyalty. I don't think I can suffer through owning another one of these cars, and it makes me quite sad.
I just don't get it--it's not as though I've abused this car. I followed all recommended services and had them done at the dealership. I can't understand how over a period of 26k miles it would need 2 turbochargers, a new engine, new a/c compressor, fuel pump, water pump and transmission.
How can a company make a car with a driver's seat that still looks showroom new after 68k miles, but yet need major mechanical repairs every 5,000 miles?
I just don't get it . . .
Regards,
--Scott
'99 SE LPT
'01 LPT Wagon
posted by 69.17.24...
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