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Check engine light...where to start??? Posted by Clay McNeely [Email]  (#497)  [Profile/Gallery]
(more from Clay McNeely) on Mon, 6 Jun 2005 13:49:13
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Hello, everyone. I purchased my NG900 about a year ago and I haven't had too many problems with it, although the check engine light is bugging me to death right now. I've always noticed that my gas mileage has been a bit less than everyone else seems to get, especially since I'm a very conservative driver. My 900 does have quite a few modifications, so I figured 27 or 28 mpg on the highway wasn't terrible, but it always has been a point of curiosity for me. When the check engine light is on, I seem to get 25 or 26 mpg, and I even got as low as 21 mpg this morning...yuck!
The check engine light came on the first time about 3 weeks ago. The car didn't perform or sound any differently, so I just kept a close eye on things. The light went off after about 3 hours of driving time, so I dismissed the occasion entirely. A week or so later, the light came on again and went off after about 4 or 5 hours of driving time. Now the light has come on again and shows no indication of disappearing, even though I have spent a considerable amount of time driving the car. Where do I start in diagnosing the problem?
The car has been idling fine (about 1,000 rpm), but has acted up a couple of times while the check engine light has been on. The engine will rev up to 1,500 or 1,600 for a little bit from time to time, or it may slow to 800 or 900. Thankfully, the car hasn't stalled yet as some other posts have indicated is a likelihood when the check engine light is on. My problem is that I don't have a clue where to start looking or how to go about diagnosing the cause of the check engine light.
Other posts have suggested that the purge valve could be the problem, which I somewhat hope is the case, mainly because of cost and ease of replacement. Others have replaced fuel pumps, vacuum hoses, etc. in order to solve similar problems. One important point to note is that the car has always had a strong gasoline smell in the cabin when the tank gets to about 1/4 or below. I don't know if this is related to the check engine light, but it sounds like it may be after researching the problem a little.
Are there any tests that I can run myself to help narrow down the many costly options? I would rather not have to take the car into the local dealer in order to have the error code pulled/read, namely because I don't like the local dealer and the light might go off on my way there (which is quite a distance, anyway). Any suggestions, feedback, input, comments, or concerns are greatly appreciated. Hopefully I can get to the bottom of this before I move away to the Saab-less land of West Texas. Please feel free to ask any questions for clarification purposes or if additional information is needed. Thanks in advance. Drive safely, and KEEP ON SAABING!!!
-Clay McNeely
Present
1996 Saab 900 SE Turbo "Kathryn" - 130,942 miles
Past
1990 Saab 900 Turbo "Katarina"
1987 Saab 900S "Katie"
posted by 67.96.76...
, Mon, 6 Jun 2005 13:49:13 <-- Viewing This Message, Tue, 7 Jun 2005 07:33:37
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