1985-1998 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
 | [Main 9000 Bulletin Board | BBFAQ |
Prev by Date | Post Followup ]
Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos
What year car? Posted by Ari [Email]  (#2847) [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Ari) on Wed, 1 Dec 2004 08:12:16
In Reply to: Thermostat question, Abusot, Tue, 30 Nov 2004 14:03:57 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
In the 9000, the temp gauge runs through the EDU. So the EDU 'adjusts' the signal from the temp sensor.
In the earlier cars (at least '92 and earlier), the temperature on the gauge is pretty much what the sensor sees. During 'normal' driving down the road, the needle tends to run about horizontal, or 9:00. However, the needle moves up and down a lot depending on heat load, engine and road speed, and the like. As long as it stays pretty much under the red, you're OK. It may creep up near (but not into) the red if stuck idling in traffic. So what's 'right' is a matter of much discussion, some of it correct.
Since Saab got so much flack from folks spending so much time watching the temp gauge they ran off into the ditch, Saab changed the gauge in later years. I'm not sure exactly when, but I'll assume at least 95 and newer. The EDU 'massages' the sensor signal significantly. Basically, it sits at what I call around 8:00 - slightly below horizontal. It'll stay there even if you get stuck in traffic. The only time it'll go up is if you start to overheat. The filtering in the EDU takes out all of the changes due to engine load, road speed, and the like. So with the newer cars, the gauge really has only three positions - (1) cold engine, where the needle is pretty much on the peg; (2) 'normal', which is slightly below horizontal, and (3) in the red, you're overheating.
So if you have a newer car, worrying about 8:00, or 7:00, or 7:36 and 15 seconds in daylight savings is a waste of effort.
If you have an older car, that position sounds a bit low, and may be a stuck open thermostat.
Of course, if the thermostat is more than three years old, replace that baby. They're a wear item, and die after a while. Stuck open isn't too bad, but stuck closed will overheat a car even if it's in Northern Ontario in the middle of January. And if a thermostat is acting up, don't trust it.
OK, what about those '92 to '95 cars where somewhere in there they changed the EDU? Damn fine question. Basically, if you see the gauge move around a bit, creep up when at a light, drop back down when you get moving, then you know you've got the 'old' style EDU filtering.
posted by 192.249....
, Wed, 1 Dec 2004 08:12:16 <-- Viewing This Message
, Tue, 30 Nov 2004 16:09:11
, Tue, 30 Nov 2004 17:06:10, Tue, 30 Nov 2004 15:14:25
No Site Registration is Required to Post - Site Membership is optional (Member Features List), but helps to keep the site online
for all Saabers. If the site helps you, please consider helping the site by becoming a member.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
