2004 Saab 9-3 Logo
Posted on Dec 21, 2008

Engine will not crank intermitantly

2002 9-3 4cyl Turbo - Auto. Very intermitant problem where engine will not crank (start). Ignition switch lights up dash and can hear fuel pump engage, but when I turn to crank the engine - nothing; no click, no dimming of lights, no nothing. Sometimes failure lasts only a couple start attempts, then will start, other times, it fails much longer, then eventually starts. Have tried moving gear shift and and out of Park, moving the car a little then pushing into Park. Nothing has consistently changed the symptom, though sometimes it will start after a fiebel fix attempt, but nothing consistent. Sometimes will fail two or three times in a row, when running errands, and other times will not fail for 2 or 3 weeks. Have been told it could be ignition switch, ignitiaon switch relay - behind fuse panel, starter solinoid, or starter. Has anyone else seen this problem?

  • rewins Feb 18, 2009

    Well, this sounds like one of the most logial solutions I have received thus far. I will try to locate the crank sensor, and take he advice. I did try one fix that I read about for 9-5s, with similar problelms, and I have not experienced failure since then. That was about two months ago, so this is the longest stretch of success since the failure started. The fix was to tighten the positive battery cable at the starter motor. The starter nut did take about 3/4 to a full turn of tightening, but was not what I would consider loose enought to create a failure, however with the amount of amps it takes to crank, maybe it could have been the problem. Thanks for the crank sensor idea - that sounds logical.

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Dennis Gaebel

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  • Posted on Feb 18, 2009
Dennis Gaebel
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Joined: Feb 16, 2009
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Crank sensor can translate heat. Not allowing restart after the turbo heat radiates in the area. Try a wad of aluminum foil in front of the crank sensor(on the block behind the turbo) . It protects it from heat and its a cheep test. If this works you can make a better sheild or leave the foil.

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