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NG900 & OG93 Bulletin Board
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Mystifying Alternator/Electrical Problem
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Posted by Ashley F. [Email] (more from Ashley F.) on Wed, 23 May 2001 17:57:25 Share Post by Email
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I have an odd problem with my 1994 900S (2.3L 4cyl. 110,000 miles). Over a period of about two weeks I started to notice that the heater fan wasn't blowing as strongly as it should be and that the lights on the dashboard/ buttons/ radio were a bit dimmer than I remembered them. Most disturbingly was that when one raised or lowered any of the windows (even if you pressed up when they were already up) it caused the headlights to dim very noticeably, fan slow down almost to a halt, etc). It also was taking a bit longer to start in the morning. Predictably, I started up the car after a food pit-stop (I had been driving for about an hour), and it went about 100 yards and then just lost power and rolled to a halt. The interior dashboard (etc.) lights remained on, as did the heater. The car refused to restart and just made a very, very, rapid clicking noise when I turned the key. I called AAA, who took about 1.5 hours to arrive (not their fault it turns out). When we went to move the car, I turned the key and it started right up. Despite this I had it towed to an official Saab dealer. When I got there I took a peek under the hood and had quite a shock. The battery (a Saab installed Interstate replacement battery, about 2 years old) was bone dry, and all of its contents were covering the engine compartment. Anyway, they told me my alternator was shot, but couldn't tell me if the battery caused it to die or the alternator took out the battery. I went ahead and had the alternator replaced for $600, I was told the battery was fine and that they topped it up with water. The same symptoms (i.e. hard start, dim lights, slow fan) immediately were apparent. I brought it back to the dealer, under its own power, and they said the battery was about to die. I had it replaced with the Saab branded one. Same problem with the dimming, etc, perhaps a bit worse. The car runs fine and has for some months now. Anyway, I brought it to a reccomended local foreign car dealer which deals with a lot of people who apparently hate the saab dealer. I had them check it out and they told me that it has the wrong alternator in it, one from a 2.0 liter, and that it wasn't putting out the right voltage. I brought their printout and the car back to the dealer who checked their computer and said, yup, its the wrong alternator, but the mechanic who had done the job was obviously very angry. I then waited a couple of hours while they were supposedly replacing it. However, the mechanic came back after a few hours, still looking angry, and said it was the right alternator after all, it was working fine, and that it was actually my ignition wires that were the problem. I brought the car to yet another saab dealer, who thinks that it is the right alternator, but has no idea what is casuing the dimming/fan problems. Anyway, I am annoyed, having spent a lot of money and still having a problem. What do you guys think? It is true that if I turn the key once the car is already started or push hard on it, the same dimming does happen, but I am not sure how that relates to the windows, radio, etc. Anyway, if you want to get bad service, go to the New London, Connecticut Saab dealer.
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