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On December 20th I was on my way out of Las Vegas when the throttle body went into Lump Home Solenoid Mode (98,000 miles). I had no ways to read the code number, but going through same problem a year ago with my old 9-5, symptoms pointed securely to bad resistors in the throttle position sensor. I had turned back and began researching for spare one (replacement is fairly simple procedure and figured out that I can do it on the road without any problems). The day was sunny and I had plenty of time until sunset.
After several calls, I found that in Nevada there are zero throttle bodies available in stock. The car was packed full with passengers, luggage and all my family is heading to our long dreamed vacation in North Sierra Mountain. The only alternative was to continue driving in lump home mode. But this time there was a little problem – I have an auto transmission on that car. When I lift the foot from the throttle pedal to push the brake – the engine die quickly. Idle control is no longer maintained by ECU and the throttle pedal has to be modulated all the time to maintain idle RPM. I had figured out how to drive my other 9-5 with manual transmission, but never drove am auto one. Theoretically is much easy – straightforward. However, it comes the question: what happens when the brake and throttle are both depressed? And more importantly: how AISIN transmissions operates when the car is moving forward by inertia (downhill) and the gear shifter is in position N? For reference I should remember you that old Borg&Warner transmission are being irreversible damaged in such conditions (my personal prove on this case with my firs SAAB - 1996 900 S).
So I decided to call somebody for advice. I picket up the phone and called Andy from SWEDECAR. I explained the case and ask him wheter I can drive the car in such conditions without a harm to the car. He said that there is no risk for the transmission in that mode. Furthermore discussing the problem he suggested only software upgrade and cleaning on the resistor sensors unit for fixing the problem (to avoid premium price for new HELLA throttle body). I counterstriked with the fact that I have performance ECU from CHIPCENTER (http://www.chipcenter.cc). Downloading new settings for the throttle body sensor reading in the ECU might damage the performance settings. Andy/SWEDECAR said that he will investigate that case form me while I am driving to LA in my way back home ( I leave 1 hour drive from his shop).
Following his advice I continue driving with both pedals engaged with my two foot. After several hours on a steep hills and sharp turns, I became so good in managing this, that nobody in the car feel any sense of difference in handling. The most difficult was starting from STOP signal and full stop. But I learned that too.
Days later we just arrived at home in San Diego and the phone rang. Andy from SWEDECAR called and reported the result from his investigation. He attempt contact with the Swedish manufacturer of my ECU (Chipcenter) but because of the Holidays they where closed and nobody responded. However he managed to get in touch with Tailafierro. They told him that writing in the ECU with new program for throttle body will replace whole program, thus loosing all my performance mapping. I was amazed by the speed and promptness of Andy’s response. It was a question of several thousand dollars for me to be towed and moved back to California or to continue driving cautiously. He even recommended me a friend of him in San Francisco bay area where my cousin can fix his old generation 900S. We talked a while about some common problems with new 9-5 and I got quite good advices from him.
I would like to thank to SWEDECAR very deeply for the exceptional support and kindness in helping me in critical situation on the road. Without him I would likely be ruined my vacation and exhaust my budged for car maintenance for next year or so. Thank you again SWEDECAR!
Uri
99' 9-5 manual sedan
00' Garry Fischer
posted by 12.35.193...
, Wed, 5 Jan 2005 13:45:53
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