[Chynn]

Hi Guys,

I just wanted to share my horrible experience that unfolded in the last 24 hours.

I recently purchased a 2004 9-3 in January and the first 2 weeks were great, until last night.

I dropped my friend off from playing hockey and proceeded home after playing a great game. Got home and parked outside on my driveway and went inside.
Took a shower and came out and I hear my doorbell ring, mind you it's midnight and I'm thinking who's at the door?

It was my neighbor and he told me to come outside because my car was on fire. I get outside and the entire passenger side is up in flames. By that time the fire trucks arrive and they hose the car down =(

I'm thinking I just got the car a couple of weeks ago and now this......Anyway, I got a call from the insurance company this morning and it's obviously a complete write-off.

The only thing that I found unusual was the passenger seat was completely down as if someone was low riding or sleeping but my friend never put the seat all the way down.

So apparently, the insurance company said I had a hockey stick that jammed the seat control which made it go all the way down and the motor caught on fire because the hockey stick kept pressing the seat lever.
I'm just extremely thankful that I didn't park it in the garage because my daughter’s room is right above where I normally park in the garage. THANK YOU LORD!!!!

Back to square one.....my Saab hunt begins again. Insurance is giving me full value what I paid and the dealership are also giving me $1000 cash for the trouble.

What a day....sorry for my rant

 

[96mn12]

wow, first off, glad everyone is safe.
second, thats one hell of an insurance company. Not only giving you full value but an additional 1000 on top?

Wow. I would start looking for 08s or 09s. There are plenty out there and dirt cheap.

 

[Rgz]

Wow. That is pretty scary. Where abouts in Ontario do you live, and is this a Saab dealer of used car dealer?

 

[Chynn]

wow, first off, glad everyone is safe.
second, thats one hell of an insurance company. Not only giving you full value but an additional 1000 on top?

Wow. I would start looking for 08s or 09s. There are plenty out there and dirt cheap.

I'm essentially getting what I paid because the dealer sold me the car below actual blue book value. I paid $7900 for it and blue book value is est. @ $8200.

 

[Chynn]

Wow. That is pretty scary. Where abouts in Ontario do you live, and is this a Saab dealer of used car dealer?

I'm up in Barrie, Ontario. Bought the car from a used car dealership which is owned by my colleagues father. They were really nice about the situation.

 

[grett9-3]

i'm sorry to hear what happened, but i would like to see some pictures. how big of a fire are we talking about?

 

[Chynn]

i'm sorry to hear what happened, but i would like to see some pictures. how big of a fire are we talking about?

I wish I took some, but in the mindset I was in last night taking pictures was the last thing on my mind. I'm just so glad I didn't park in my garage. My whole house could have been up in flames.

I'll try to get some on the weekend. The car is currently at my insurance companies body shop.

 

[grett9-3]

haha i wasn't talking about any action shots of it happening. I'm glad your house and family were safe. I only have seen one or two cars catch on fire before, which of course were not saabs so hearing this is just really interesting. but once again glad everything is ok and its awesome how the insurance covered everything.

 

[LAN]

I'm just extremely thankful that I didn't park it in the garage because my daughter’s room is right above where I normally park in the garage. THANK YOU LORD!!!!

That's the most important part.
It sucks but it happened. Everyone's safe so it's kind of 'ok.
Good thing also it's insured. so now, time to get a new model! I love their looks

:cheesy:

 

[JonV]

Glad your ok, but I can't understand why a fuse didn't blow before a fire?

 

[Chynn]

I filed a report with GM/Saab Canada, they said they will perform their own investigation, claiming that the motor then the seat should have not caught on fire but it did. I don't smoke so something went wrong.

MOT (Ministry Of Transportation) has also been contacted and have a telephone interview with them tomorrow.

Wife does not want a saab anymore =( and I can't convince her.

Looks like we are going with another Toyota, bummer.

 

[JonV]

Do the Electric seats even work with out the key in the ignition and the doors locked? I'd go out and try it but I've been ill all week.

 

[Aleki]

If she insists on a Toyota, watch out for those late model cars. :|

 

[Chynn]

Do the Electric seats even work with out the key in the ignition and the doors locked? I'd go out and try it but I've been ill all week.

That's a good question, in my case my keys were out of the ignition so I guess yes?

Can someone try it?

And JonV, hope you get well soon.

 

[mdTurboX]

I filed a report with GM/Saab Canada, they said they will perform their own investigation, claiming that the motor then the seat should have not caught on fire but it did. I don't smoke so something went wrong.

MOT (Ministry Of Transportation) has also been contacted and have a telephone interview with them tomorrow.

Wife does not want a saab anymore =( and I can't convince her.

Looks like we are going with another Toyota, bummer.

Toyota!?!? Are you kidding me!?

Make sure you practice your evasive maneuvering skills.....gas pedals that stick and brakes which don't work.

 

[Chynn]

Well I ment to say Lexus, We own a RX330 and previous 2 cars were Toyotas. At least none of them caught on fire.

 

[mohooba93]

Do the Electric seats even work with out the key in the ignition and the doors locked? I'd go out and try it but I've been ill all week.

yes they do. whenever im waiting for someone with doors locked, key out of ignition, both seats and radio work.

 

[mohooba93]

does anyone remember this other 9-3 catching on fire because of a suspecting ipod?

 

[Krieg]

See, that's why Americans hate hockey. Those sticks are no good. Cause fires and knock out teeth and whatnot.

 

[jlrdrony]

Do the Electric seats even work with out the key in the ignition and the doors locked? I'd go out and try it but I've been ill all week.

good question Jon..... I hope your prompt recovery.

the electric seat are fed directly to battery but are disconnected by a relay.
the relay is activated via bus when you open the doors and disconnected when you close the doors.

if some consumer is on (like the seats) you cannot close the car and activate the alarm.

all the engines must have a thermo-fuse protection inside the motor to be disconnected by continuous function, get hot by short circuit.

Very strange issue. it must be another reason for the fire.

what is your engine type, 2T....2.8 V6 .... ss, sh or cv?