[jamescarrollusa]

My 2001 Saab 9-3 was having battery issues. I spent 2-3 weeks having to jump start it every time I used it.
The oil light had also been flashing on and off intermittently – and I was going to get an oil change soon.
Then, the last time I drove it, I had hit the 'W' (Winter) button, as it had been snowing. I then messed up with the jump start, connecting the red cable to the black and vice versa. There was a spark - but that's all. Hopefully, I had done no damage? I then jump started it normally - and got it going just fine....but it seemed now that every single warning light on the dash was on - all of them!
But - the car drove - and I drove it around the block, although it seemed to be a little sluggish - it felt as if the 'W' button was still engaged, but it wasn't displaying that it was still on - nor could I turn it on or off by pressing the 'W' button. Every warning light was still on as I drove it, too. But brakes seemed fine, steering fine.
I parked the car - and then yesterday got a brand new battery - at last! The car then started perfectly, first time - so that was good. But - still - every single warning light is showing. I have driven the car a few yards - and it still feels as if the 'W' button is engaged - although it is not displaying that it is on. Also - when I press the 'W' button nothing happens - it neither goes on or off - but it really feels as if the 'W' button is somehow permanently engaged. Pressing the 'TCS' button also does nothing - the panel shows that 'TCS off' - but I can't alter this either.
Any ideas? To me, it just seems that maybe the car is 'stuck' in 'W' mode and can't/won't reset. But why are ALL the warning symbols displaying? Surely all these things can't be faulty? Did my bad charge short circuit something? Is there an oil problem? Engine problem? Blown fuse? Any ideas??!!
Should I even be driving it at all?
Help!
Any d-i-y tips would be very gratefully received! I need a quick, cheap fix – just to keep the car going a little longer!

 

[lifelesslived17]

The oil light had also been flashing on and off intermittently – and I was going to get an oil change soon.

i dont even know where to begin after reading a statement like that. there are so many emotions that swirl through my head when i hear things like. i want to go throw up now.

my advice is to not ever drive a car again, ever. especially not a saab. if the oil light so much as blinks at you, you should immediately be checking things out. that light is referred to as an idiot light, and certain people have earned it that moniker.

most of the guys here are "enthusiasts", which translates to "we really love our cars". i might be stepping way out of line, but a statement like that just conjures up a lot of emotion for me. i maintain my cars meticulously and love them as if they were children. i just dont get people that treat cars like crap. ok, im done. sorry.

best of luck, sounds like something is pretty screwed up

 

[thestig99]

Not sure what to say about ALL the lights being on, or about the bad charge.

BUT, I see you have a T7 car.

If the oil light was flashing at times, there's a good change that your engine is sludged and blocking the oil pickup screen, leading to oil starvation. I definitely would be dropping the oil pan/pulling the valve cover and getting that checked out before I drove the car.

Any service records? Do you have the latest PCV update?

 

[jamescarrollusa]

Not sure what to say about ALL the lights being on, or about the bad charge.

BUT, I see you have a T7 car.

If the oil light was flashing at times, there's a good change that your engine is sludged and blocking the oil pickup screen, leading to oil starvation. I definitely would be dropping the oil pan/pulling the valve cover and getting that checked out before I drove the car.

Any service records? Do you have the latest PCV update?

NO PCV update - and no service for a couple of years...should I try driving it to a garage - or shouldn't I even try driving it? Is a tow needed?

 

[jamescarrollusa]

i dont even know where to begin after reading a statement like that. there are so many emotions that swirl through my head when i hear things like. i want to go throw up now.

my advice is to not ever drive a car again, ever. especially not a saab. if the oil light so much as blinks at you, you should immediately be checking things out. that light is referred to as an idiot light, and certain people have earned it that moniker.

most of the guys here are "enthusiasts", which translates to "we really love our cars". i might be stepping way out of line, but a statement like that just conjures up a lot of emotion for me. i maintain my cars meticulously and love them as if they were children. i just dont get people that treat cars like crap. ok, im done. sorry.

best of luck, sounds like something is pretty screwed up

Wow! Well, I wasn't expecting all that! Like I said, the oil light was blinking, so I was going to get an oil change. I never did, beacuse then everything else went wrong (and it snowed, so no cars were driven anywhere for nearly 2 weeks). It was when I was just about to go get the oil change that everyhting else happened. And, by the way, I treat my two children like children - not my car. My children is what I spend what little money I have on. If I had any more cash I would, of course, spend more on my car - but I can't afford it. Sorry. I am on a very tight budget. I am not a car enthusiast - I just need a car to to drive my kids to school. I am sorry if I offended your vast intelligence, wealth and even made you vomit. I just want to know how to fix the car, that's all - no lecture needed.

 

[lifelesslived17]

yeah, im sorry about that. im usually very reserved. should have had my coffee before i started typing this morning.

i guess all i was trying to do was emphasize the importance of taking something like that seriously. im a car guy, you are clearly not. its as if i dont understand the language of non car people sometimes and i deeply apologize.

you have come to a great forum for a problem like that, and im sure someone here can help you. ill do what i can to look up some info for you as well. im not sure about the winter mode issue, but i did once have to replace an ecu in a friends car after he hooked the battery up wrong.
he was having a lot of the same problems, though his car wouldnt run at all.

you should try disconnecting the battery for a while and hooking it back up. let everything refresh and reset and see if that helps.

again, this is a great community and the people (aside from me apparently) are amazing. i am never one to flame people, i just had a lapse in judgment. sorry.;oops:

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

Good idea about disconnecting the battery for a while. If you do disconnect the battery, disconnect the negative (black cable) also identified with a "-" minus sign on the negative battery terminal. The reason that you disconnect the negative cable first is if you happen to slip with your wrench and hit bare metal (which is a ground) you won't do any damage, If you happen to disconnect the positive cable "+" first and hit bare metal, that's a complete short and you will get sparks, at the very least... Ron

 

[Timer626]

Balance

Liveslesslived was a bit harsh, but he makes valid points.

I teach a intro to driver safety course as a volunteer, through my company and the first rule about being in control of a vehicle is "AWARENESS".

I myself have been guilty a time or two of doing something to my lovely Saab that I'm not proud of, but even if you don't treat your Saab as one of your children, you NEED to treat your Saab (or any mode of transportation) as if it carries life.

ALWAYS maintain your vehicle. Check tires and lights. Keep an eye on your gauges. And if you see or observe something out of the ordinary, check it out! Now by joining this forum, it's obvious you are looking for the solution. That is a good start! But maintaining your vehicle is very important frome a SAFETY standpoint, for you and your kids.

Regular oil changes and other preventative maintenance are not to go to the wayside.

Now.. Play nice. :lol:

 

[thestig99]

NO PCV update - and no service for a couple of years...should I try driving it to a garage - or shouldn't I even try driving it? Is a tow needed?

Well, I'd say it's never advisable to drive a car with little to no oil pressure... especially if the engine hasn't been badly damaged yet.