Battery

[Teck_II]

Car would not start this morning. Dim lights flickering and just a clicking noise. Sometimes it would switch from dim to bright and fickering would stop.

Tried jumping to no avail. I quickly read that if even one cell is dead the saab won't jump start?

Should I try to trouble shoot myself and assume a dead battery? Should I go to the dealer or will somewhere like autozone have a replacement? What should I expect to pay for a battery size and type would be helpful also.

Sorry so brief and helpless sounding but I'm at work and only had 2 mins to type this before I leave to the trading floor. Luckily I had another car I could borrow the saab is stuck at home in the garage if at all possible I'd like to pick up the battery on the way home. Though I don't know for sure if it's the problem. Also at 53k I may be considered oow by the dealer.

Thanks any help would be nice hopefully Ill get a break in a couple hours.

[cjhutch]

Well I just had my battery replaced fromt he dealer to go with some other repairs. The cost of the battery was $123.50 I think and then they charged me 1/2 hour labor to install it which was another $52.50 so it came to $179 total. I was not there because my car was getting something else repaired, but if all I needed was a battery I defintely would have just drove over there and took the old battery with me and installed it myself. I mean $53 to install a battery is kinda ridiculous.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Teck_II

Should I try to trouble shoot myself and assume a dead battery? Should I go to the dealer or will somewhere like autozone have a replacement? What should I expect to pay for a battery size and type would be helpful also.

I'm in the midst of replacing my battery. I would be done, but Advance sold me a Group 49 battery which doesn't fit. Turns out they sell a "48/49" battery which is really a 49. We need group size 48.

As for troubleshooting your car, I would start by checking the battery resting voltage with a digital voltmeter. That will give you a great idea as to battery condition.

Advance sold me the group 49 battery for about $80. That was an autocraft battery. Unless I can exchange for a true group 48, I will end up getting a Bosch battery at Pep Boys for $95.

[Saba]

Hah, just over 3.5 years seems to be the life of the Saab OEM batteries. I replaced mine a few months ago with a Century 66L (don't think you can get them in the US) Was about $100 USD.

[ctrlz]

Originally Posted by Saba

Hah, just over 3.5 years seems to be the life of the Saab OEM batteries.

Some don't last even that long.

The max voltage I get right now is 12.4 V. That would correspond to 75% charge on a good battery. The reserve capacity, cranking amps, and voltage under load are all likely to be decreased on my "bad" battery.

[Teck_II]

thanks for the info guys. Trying to decide risking going straight to the auto store or going home first and pulling it to get tested.


Seems that regardless it's about time for a new batery maybe Ill give it a shot.

[ctrlz]

You don't have to pull the battery to test it.

[Pokerguy]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

You don't have to pull the battery to test it.

Well, if you don't own a voltmeter . . . .

[brianl703]

Originally Posted by ctrlz

I would be done, but Advance sold me a Group 49 battery which doesn't fit. Turns out they sell a "48/49" battery which is really a 49. We need group size 48.

I just checked my Advance and they have a 49-1 battery for $79.88 and a 48/91-1 battery for $79.88. Dunno what the 48/49 battery is but it doesn't exist there.

The 48/91-1 battery should be the correct application for the Saab 93--Interstate's website lists their 48/91 battery for that app, which should be identical to the one Advance sells because Johnson Controls makes both. The 48/91 battery fits both group size 91 and group size 48 applications. I believe the 91 battery is a little shorter but otherwise the same in dimensions (length/width) as a 48.

[brianl703]

Originally Posted by Pokerguy

Well, if you don't own a voltmeter . . . .

They're cheap enough now that anyone who knows which way to turn a screwdriver should probably have one.

[michael tatman]

teck,

i see that your a trader in chicago...will you email me: mct at bigstring dot com
i have something i would like to ask you?
btw...i just had the battery replaced by the dealer before i bought my 9-3...i'm going there tomorrow to check on another issue. ill ask them the average cost of the battery, brand, etc. and ill post what i find out.

later

[JonV]

Here's a company that has a Gp 48 with 760 CCA @ 0 degrees, compliments of Pokeyjoe if I recall correctly....a bit difficult to find and a bit pricey, but I feel this is an area where you get what you pay for, although others will disagree,

http://www.eastpenn-deka.com/

Then Sears makes a 700 CCA GP48 called The Diehard Int'l...119.00

[brianl703]

When dealers replace the batteries on these cars, what brand of battery do they use? Interstate? AC Delco?

[Teck_II]

Fair warning to anyone taking out the abttery that doesnt like to read the manual. The f'n thing has a bracket holding it down.


lol I almost through my back out trying to pull.

[JonV]

Originally Posted by Teck_II

Fair warning to anyone taking out the abttery that doesnt like to read the manual. The f'n thing has a bracket holding it down.


lol I almost through my back out trying to pull.

A Bracket holding in a battery....we'll I never.....

[brianl703]

It's been my experience that on most cars, the battery hold-down bracket is the first thing to not get re-installed.

[JonV]

Personally I have never seen one left off in my last 9 vehicles over the last 20 years that I can remember, with three new battery purchases and multiple shop visits.

[earthworm]

Originally Posted by brianl703

It's been my experience that on most cars, the battery hold-down bracket is the first thing to not get re-installed.And at state inspection time,I'll see this and write it up - and the consumer gets "screwed twice"..

I can see many owners not knowing any better, but when over $50 is shelled out.. ..
We are supposed to leave this world in better condition, but are we ???

[cjhutch]

I hated that damn bracket. I couldn't find the extension for my ratchet so I scraped my nuckles up real bad getting it out.

[Teck_II]

New battery in all is well in Saab land. That really stunk geting in my car at 5:30 am and it not starting. Glad it was just a battery total cost 75 for battery 3 for a post cleaner before reinstall and a whole day worrying about what "could" be wrong. Ok by me.