Saab 9000 accessing the relays

I reviewed that chapter of Haynes, and was amazed by all the work they put you through. I almost expected them to conclude with "Remove interior of vehicle. To install, reverse procedure."

If you are referencing Haynes 1686 manual (I understand that there is now a newer edition), you only need to perform step 27.9 (glove box removal if there is no passenger airbag) and step 27.30 (fuse panel/relay box removal)

If you model is equipped with the passenger airbag, I understand that the fuse/relay panel is underneath and is accessible with the removal of a trim panel. Removal procedures remain the same as with the non-airbag models.

With glovebox models, pay careful attention during disassembly. The glovebox hinge screws need loosening to gain access to the mounting screws. Getting it properly adjusted on assembly can get a bit fiddley. Good luck.

Walt Kienzle

A couple of additional points:

- A main battery cable goes to the fuse panel. It would be very wise to first disconnect the battery before removing the fuse panel.

- While you have the fuse/relay panel removed, be sure to check that the bolt attaching the red cable to the fuse panel is tightly secured. This was alleged to be the source of some car fires in 9000's, even after the car was parked and the ignition off.

Walt Kienzle ( snipped-for-privacy@core.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Walt - are you used to LHD vehicles? I wonder if the relays weren't moved exact-mirror-image for RHD - which is what Haynes will have stripped - meaning that they're behind something which DOES need the entire dash removing?

Yes, my model is LHD and what you say is a possibility. But after looking over the details of the Haynes manual (English version is only available for RHD models) everything looks exactly in a mirror image, with no changes that would explain an obstruction or need to remove parts at the opposite end of the fascia. As part of their documented procedures, they have you remove the ashtray, ACC control, cruise control box, steering wheel and all sort of other items that are nowhere near the fuses. And then they have you remove the top fascia, which is redundant work if your only goal is to access the relays. I believe that this section is just a "catch all" for any work on the dashboard. Access to the relay panel just happens to be included.

I'm not sure what you mean by "which is what Haynes will have stripped". Were you assuming that I have a Hayens 9000 manual for LHD models? There is no such creature - at least there wasn't when I bought mine 10 years ago. Unless the OP has the newer 9000 manual for the UK, we are both reading the same text. Even then, I understand that the updates for the newer book were only for the 6 cylinder engine.

Walt Kienzle ( snipped-for-privacy@core.com) gurgled happily, sounding much like they were saying :

Quite the opposite... I was suggesting that work necessary on the RHD car in the book may well differ from what you see on your LHD car.

OK, it sounds like that isn't the case, merely the usual Haynes incompetence and uselessness. It's not known as the HBoL for nothing. (Haynes Book of Lies)

On both my 1991 (with glove box) and 1995 (with airbag and no glove box) there has been no need to remove the fuse panel to access the relays, after getting other things out of the way, the fuse panel has simply tilted down as part of the lower front portion of the relay panel assembly. Haynes might be basing their instructions on an operation which contemplates complete removal of the relay (and fuse) panel. I'm believing that all that is needed in this instance (checking heated screen/mirror timing relay) is to be able to access the relays to remove and check/switch-out failed ones. If that is the case, no need to remove panel completely.

Maybe the word "removed" is inappropriate. I meant unfastened. You really wouldn't want to undo all the wires to fully remove the fuse/relay panel from the car, but unfastening it allows you to pull it forward and remove it from its original position inside the glovebox.