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...we found the problem was the TCS control brainin my friends 92 9kt, which a metallic computer box underneath the drivers seat, accessable from the rear.
He had the SAME symptoms you are having, and less than 2 weeks ago.
The TCS system may in fact by perfectly OK, with the only problem being this:
It needs recalibration.
This can happen because of a few reasons:
A. something in the TCS system was malfunctioning, and after replacement, a recailbration was not performed in a timely manner (possibly not to your knowledge, or by previous owner)
B. Something in the TCS system LOST POWER unexcpectedly, and memory values became incorrect or corrupted (you or someone else unplugged something while the car was running... OOPS!)
C. It's been so long since a calibration procedure, the values are too far off (regularly scheduled maintenance anyone?)
D. All of the above ! ;)
Let me expplain why this would keep yoru car from running...
The TCS brain is what controls your engine idle speed.
therefor, if the box is malfunctioning, or it's values too off, you will not be able to even operate your car.
The symptoms of my friends car were EXACTLY as you describe your car, and his ONLY problem was the TCS brain...
I am 99% certain based on hearing you out that you have the same problem.
If you get another TCS brain (there are two available on saabnet parts classifieds for under $75 shipped) and plug it in...
...you will most likely find that your car will start and run... however not much better than it does right now... but at least a little.
We used a KNOWN WORKING TCS brain from another friends 92 9kt, and plugged it into the non functioning 92, and it STARTED INSTANTLY. However it ran a little rough... but it drove well enough to be moved!
This is because the calibration values in the used, secondhand box are closer to being correct than the values you currently have in your box.
The ONLY way to get your TCS system calibrated... is to go to a saab dealership.... or if you TRUST an indie with an ISAT tool.
The problem with this procedure is this:
When you recalibrate the TCS values... you not only have to set the defaults, including the engine idle speed...
...but you have to COMPLETELY ERASE ALL of the old values from the TCS brain's memory.
If you fail to remove the values from the memory, the car will go back to running like crap in a matter of days, or weeks... or months.
If this procedure was already done incorrectly on your car, as i feel it was done at some points on my friends car, without anyone's knowledge...
...then it would just appear to everybody that another part has malfunctioned, or the replacement part / repair job failed.
I'm telling you though, it was the CALIBRATION that was done incorrectly, and all the mechanical parts are FINE!
The TCS system, while getting a bad rap, being uncessesary and a waste of time to deal with... IS NOT THAT COMPLICATED as it seems.
If you has an ISAT tool, you could replace every component in the TCS system, recalibrate, and be driving the car in Half a days time, literally.
So, you've got to bring it to a dealership... or an indie... but i suggest buying a used TCS brain first...
IF you find someone who owns a TCS vehicle with the same system as yours, and they are willing to let you borrow their computer, then tell them this...
their computer is not at any risk for becoming "contaminated" from your car, because of the fact that the learned memory values can only be cleared / overwritten by using the ISAT tool, and performing this MANUALLY.
no new values will be written to their box while in your car running your tests.
I would however suggest you test your other TCS sytem componets before borrowing someone else's box... just to be sure you can isolate the TCS brain as the issue.
As for TCS box part numbers... so you can find suitable replacement boxes... they are as follows
90-91 Manual 40-22-653
90-91 Auto 41-59-182
92 M+A 41-59-182
93- M+A 43-00-539 <---- this part number will work for ALL
years and models of 9000's equipped with TCS, no matter the transmission.
If you have an automatic trans, you may have a second "brain" under the driver seat, on top of the main TCS brain... which if i may finally correct myself i believe is actually called the ETS brain (electronic throttle system)
this second box i mention is the ASR (automatic slip reduction) and if you want the part number it is
92-93 Auto 41-59-190 although i know nothing of this box, at all
i hope this information serves to help every poor soul with TCS in the future...
-gavin
posted by 69.168.104...
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