[bruno937]

I've mentioned on another thread that my 1996 saab 900 convertible with a 2.5 V6 had no spark and long story short we've replaced the coil pack, crank sensor, computer and now the cam sensor is on it's way from ebay.
In the meantime another mechanic on the phone claims that we definitely have a problem with the factory alarm cutting in not to mention that the computer (ecm) needs to be "reflashed" at a cost of over $300.
Is there any way to disable the factory alarm?
Does the new used computer has to be reflashed?
I am about to lose it, so any answer will be appreciated.

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

You need to provide a little more information:

Did you just buy the car?

Did the car come with only one transponder?

Did you lock the car with the one transponder, then find it wouldn't start?

Add any more information that you think is relevant... Ron

 

[earthworm]

We need the WIS(workshop instruction system) from Saab to be able to do the diagnosis..
Yes, I believe the alarm enters into this foray - but there should be other signs of its recalcitrance.
The ignition switch is troublesome, has anyone troubleshot this?

 

[bruno937]

I've bought the car about a month ago not running,

It has one transponder with a dead battery,

Never tried to lock/unlock the car with the trans ponder but I did lock/unlock both doors and tried to restart with no luck,

The previous owner told me that she was driving down the car died but restarted and kept dying more and more frequently until it just wouldn't start one day.
A friend of hers tried fixing the car for a while and told her that it's the computer or the fuel pump and then she sold me the car.

 

[earthworm]

The ignition switch is troublesome, has anyone troubles
We need the WIS(workshop instruction system) from Saab to be able to do the diagnosis..
Yes, I believe the alarm enters into this foray - but there should be other signs of its recalcitrance.
hot this?

 

[bruno937]

We need the WIS(workshop instruction system) from Saab to be able to do the diagnosis..
Yes, I believe the alarm enters into this foray - but there should be other signs of its recalcitrance.
The ignition switch is troublesome, has anyone troubleshot this?

Good question, no one has checked the ignition switch. Is there a way to test it just to see if the car gets any spark?
Thanks a million for your quick responses, you guys are great.
I do however have to attend a function with my little daughter for the next few hours and will be away from my computer.
Thanks again for all your replies, I already feel better.:cheesy:

 

[Britbikr]

I've mentioned on another thread that my 1996 saab 900 convertible with a 2.5 V6 had no spark and long story short we've replaced the coil pack, crank sensor, computer and now the cam sensor is on it's way from ebay.
In the meantime another mechanic on the phone claims that we definitely have a problem with the factory alarm cutting in not to mention that the computer (ecm) needs to be "reflashed" at a cost of over $300.
Is there any way to disable the factory alarm?
Does the new used computer has to be reflashed?
I am about to lose it, so any answer will be appreciated.

Hi, what is the car actually doing? I just found out I have a bad ignition switch. I gave a good list of symptoms (I think) but it acted like a no spark issue. http://www.saabcentral.com/forums/showthread.php?t=179969

 

[bruno937]

I'm back.. So ignition switch being damaged possibly from the rain with the convertible top down could be a reason for no spark?

 

[earthworm]

I'm back.. So ignition switch being damaged possibly from the rain with the convertible top down could be a reason for no spark?

IMO, not very likely art all. Its located below the key lock cylinder - its problem is cracks at soldered connections, so its also erratic. Of course, water inside a lock is not a good thing, but cola and dirt are much worse.
To test(which I have never had to do), use the schematic in the WIS or the Haynes, a second rate manual..
Or, maybe you can devise your own procedure:cheesy:

 

[bruno937]

what's exactly WIS and where do I find it?

 

[earthworm]

With all these dealers going under, one would think that many goodies would be available.
This WIS is costly, pirated ones are risky and illegal.
I'd like to see Saab release the WIS, at a reasonable price, to the public.
Do I dream?:cheesy:

 

[grouchy]

I don't have a v6 so correct me if I'm wrong

the v6 doesn't have a coilpack, its got a distributor.
was there an alarm in 1996?
if the computer was replaced why do you need to "flash the ecu". Isn't the ecu the computer. If they sold you a ecu it should be for your car.

if its a junkyard part, the computer you used must come out of exactly the same car as yours, the part numbers should match.

 

[bruno937]

Problem solved!!

I am so sorry that I forgot to post the cure almost a year ago! Here is my reply to a pm from another member today:

i have no where to turn, and hope you could help. My vehical did the exact same thing as yours
it died then started then after a while died then more frequently untill it just dident run anymore. if you did end up figureing it out id be so lifted from the stressful burden. i have been working on this vehical for 2 months now and changed about everything aand no luck. a responce would be greatly appreciated thank you.

When u turn on the ignition if some or most of the lights are not going on spray lots of WD40 in the ignition switch and wait till next day and the car should start. I am serious.
I also replaced bunch of sensors, even the computer then I figured out it's ignition switch related and started removing bunch of stuff between the seats to get to the ignition switch but it was too late in the day and I sprayed the switch with wd40, went home, came back the next day to continue but surprisingly the dash lights went on and the car started. My theory is all types of liquids leak into the ignition switch causing corrosion inside the large and complicated not to mention expensive ignition box.

PS. There is a small chance that it could be that I managed to jiggle the ignition wires near the ignition switch box. So if above solution doesn't work try that.