[cyclobee]

For HOURS! My '88 turbo "decided" not to start, and after replacing the cracked rotor button (how convenient that I had a new one on hand), it started up once and I cut it off (dummy.) Plugs 3 and 4 were getting a strong spark, 1 and 2 kind of weak. Dash lights did not come on when I turned the key. Hmm...

After 4.5 hours and a few engine-flooding incidents, I was able to get the thing started, and I drove it the 15 miles or so home without a single problem. In fact, it ran better than ever. What is going on? The thing turns over every time, but does not start. I'm not sure where to begin, but I do know, after four hours of dissecting the engine, what isn't the problem.

Help. There are no Saab mechanics within 200 miles of me.

 

[midway]

DI Cassette? Have you checked it?

 

[boxman]

US spec cars didnt get DI until 89, it could be your fuel pump, but you said that the engine was flooding so its probably not that, it could be the crank angle sensor, i think its in the distibutor on you car, they are a known prob on older cars, could be the ignition amp (on the inner wing near the battery, a small flat thingy an bout 2" by 3" with a milty plug on it)

 

[airdevil85]

I have an 88 turbo with the sam problem except mine died on the highway, my distributor failed, hopefully my replacement one will be in soon, I hope that that is the only problem... Good luck w/ urs...

 

[cyclobee]

US spec cars didnt get DI until 89, it could be your fuel pump, but you said that the engine was flooding so its probably not that, it could be the crank angle sensor, i think its in the distibutor on you car, they are a known prob on older cars, could be the ignition amp (on the inner wing near the battery, a small flat thingy an bout 2" by 3" with a milty plug on it)

Problem solved! But I don't know how exactly. After testing the ICU, the distributor, and just about everything else ignition-related with my trusty multimeter, I could find no err anywhere with the current, except that plugs 1&2 were getting kind of low spark.

My dad was fooling around inside the car during all this, and swapped a perfectly good "warning lights" fuse with another of the same amperage, and VOILA! the car started right up. Has been running great ever since. Any clue as to what happened here? Saved me a couple hundred dollars in the end.

 

[DickinFallsChurch]

Interesting--I'll have to check out the warning light fuse.
My 88 9KT has done the same thing a couple of times--turned over but wouldn't catch. Back a couple hours later, started right up and ran like a top.
Hasn't happened for over a month now, and no way to check anything when it isn't broke!

 

[airdevil85]

I'll have to try that too, which fuses were they, my borthers takes a while to start, maybe this will help??

 

[paQ]

car electronics :roll:

they are like women

 

[midway]

Makes sense, in a weird way. If some bulbs do not have the correct draw or resistance to shut off the pictogram lights, then some fuses would probably do the same thing. Where were the fuses made? I have had problems with the Chinese bulbs...

 

[airdevil85]

ok, my saab is really starting to piss me off, I put the new dist, in in the same position as my old one and still no start... I know the old one was bad but, what else should I check? The fuel pump is running but only when I run a "jumper" to anothe fuse and it is kinda loud... but, at least it is getting fuel. I am lost:roll:... what should I cehck next? I have a multi-meter but, I am not too good on using it

 

[benji9k]

Check the contacts on the fuses, and try swapping fuses too, make sure they're correct amperages.

You replaced the distributer?

 

[airdevil85]

ya, I replaced the dist with a used one but it only had like 50k on it, It is in excellent shape, but it still won't start