1994-2002 [Subscribe to Daily Digest] |
I got my 1996 Saab SE about a year ago and initially, it wouldn't start (completely dead - no sounds, no attempts to turnover) in the morning sometimes (maybe 3 times). There were no other 'dead car' problems except that once or twice when the car would be at a light or slowing down, it would start to shake and then stall. After the third jump-start with AAA, I replaced the battery. This was September 2004. Last week, my car wouldn't start, I called AAA, they told me my battery was weak???
I was driving to work last week and I slowed down as I approached a stoplight. The car shook, the battery light came on and the car stalled. I tried to start the car, the engine tried to turn over very slowly and then just died (I don't recall any special noises?). After blocking traffic for about 15-20 minutes, I tried to start the car again and it worked!?
I took a look at the battery cables (they probably do need replacing) and charged the battery, but the car stalled again (4 more times). This time, the radio, fan etc. stayed on after the car stalled (the car stalled while I was driving slowly around a corner). The car started right away after the first two stalls, but the third/fourth time it stalled the car wouldn't start at all (even though the engine turned over).
It's a very intermittant issue. I'm afraid of the car dying so randomly again, but the shop ran a complete diagnostic and said everything was fine??? Of course they ran the diagnostic while the car was fine/running/starting etc.
This can't be a battery problem can it? The car seems to have the power to start, but it just won't. Could this be an ignition coil problem? Alternator? Fuel system? The ECU isn’t throwing any codes...how do I figure out what is going on?
I’m not a Saab mechanic girl or anything, and this is getting kind of scary/frustrating (not to mention expensive). Any suggestions out there? Anyone have a similar problem -- and have a friendly solution?
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.