HELP - '95 900 SE

Sounds very much like an alternator, however try to eliminate the simple stuff before tossing in for a new alternator as they are breathtakingly expensive to replace. Basically - you need to find someone who really knows how to go over the machine for grounds after checking for a sour battery and/or simply a loose belt or failing pulley (which would also present as above).

It is however likely that the problem is the alternator if you are getting a lot of noise down where it hides - in which case you need to remove the wheel well shroud on the pulley side of the engine, loosen off the main tensioner and belt, use exactly the correct hex key to draw the alternator bolt and remove the unit - which you will likely need to shorten to get in by the frame member.

You will probably find that the bolt is seriously seized and dusty in there, in which case you need to take your time, hit the bolt at the threads and collars with lubricating oil *extensively* and let it sit overnight before you have at the bolt again. If you break it or ream the key hole - you are in for a very expensive visit somewhere.

Once you have your alternator in hand and have shot some extra lube in the holes and collars to loosen up the corrosion left in there - see if you can rebuild the unit with fresh bearings and internals as it will likely be cheaper than picking up a fresh one and safer overall than buying a used/remanufactured unit from an unknown source.

Reverse the process to install - check the tensioner pulley for wobble or grind and the main belt for condition and you are on the road again for another 100,000km.

Happy motoring - whatever you decide I wouldn't let it go very long as electrical problems in one place tend to burn out components in another.

Alternator is a cinch. If wanted, I can send a .pdf file with illustrations and instructions on how to replace.

I would rebuild yours (ie by yourself - replace the bearings and brushes), since the NG 900 series seems to have a non-standard alternator. The old 900's and 9000's used a bog stock Bosch alternator, and these can be sourced extremely cheaply by finding a 1980's Chrysler in a salvage yard that has a recently-rebuilt or low-milage alternator (of same amperage).

I am sure the 900 NG uses a Bosch as well, but it seems to be a different design.

I concur with the dealer. Fix the alternator and clear the codes. If it comes back then follow suit.

TCS OFF might have come on if the TCS was turned off - maybe something touching the switch? Not a potential reaction to Check Engine.

Information light is the exclamation point in a triangle or the INFO DISPL?

The more I read your problem, the more I think your alternator is at fault. Perhaps your alternator is putting out weird amounts of juice and this is causing many lights and electric equipments to act odd. Otherwise they seem like ground faults, but on a ten year old Saab? What is the condition of the car?

casad> Appreciate any input to the following -

Alternator is a cinch. If wanted, I can send a .pdf file with illustrations and instructions on how to replace.

I would rebuild yours (ie by yourself - replace the bearings and brushes), since the NG 900 series seems to have a non-standard alternator. The old 900's and 9000's used a bog stock Bosch alternator, and these can be sourced extremely cheaply by finding a 1980's Chrysler in a salvage yard that has a recently-rebuilt or low-milage alternator (of same amperage).

I am sure the 900 NG uses a Bosch as well, but it seems to be a different design.

I concur with the dealer. Fix the alternator and clear the codes. If it comes back then follow suit.

TCS OFF might have come on if the TCS was turned off - maybe something touching the switch? Not a potential reaction to Check Engine.

Information light is the exclamation point in a triangle or the INFO DISPL?

The more I read your problem, the more I think your alternator is at fault. Perhaps your alternator is putting out weird amounts of juice and this is causing many lights and electric equipments to act odd. Otherwise they seem like ground faults, but on a ten year old Saab? What is the condition of the car?

casad> Appreciate any input to the following -

Alternator is a cinch. If wanted, I can send a .pdf file with illustrations and instructions on how to replace.

I would rebuild yours (ie by yourself - replace the bearings and brushes), since the NG 900 series seems to have a non-standard alternator. The old 900's and 9000's used a bog stock Bosch alternator, and these can be sourced extremely cheaply by finding a 1980's Chrysler in a salvage yard that has a recently-rebuilt or low-milage alternator (of same amperage).

I am sure the 900 NG uses a Bosch as well, but it seems to be a different design.

I concur with the dealer. Fix the alternator and clear the codes. If it comes back then follow suit.

TCS OFF might have come on if the TCS was turned off - maybe something touching the switch? Not a potential reaction to Check Engine.

Information light is the exclamation point in a triangle or the INFO DISPL?

The more I read your problem, the more I think your alternator is at fault. Perhaps your alternator is putting out weird amounts of juice and this is causing many lights and electric equipments to act odd. Otherwise they seem like ground faults, but on a ten year old Saab? What is the condition of the car?

casad> Appreciate any input to the following -

Alternator is a cinch. If wanted, I can send a .pdf file with illustrations and instructions on how to replace.

I would rebuild yours (ie by yourself - replace the bearings and brushes), since the NG 900 series seems to have a non-standard alternator. The old 900's and 9000's used a bog stock Bosch alternator, and these can be sourced extremely cheaply by finding a 1980's Chrysler in a salvage yard that has a recently-rebuilt or low-milage alternator (of same amperage).

I am sure the 900 NG uses a Bosch as well, but it seems to be a different design.

I concur with the dealer. Fix the alternator and clear the codes. If it comes back then follow suit.

TCS OFF might have come on if the TCS was turned off - maybe something touching the switch? Not a potential reaction to Check Engine.

Information light is the exclamation point in a triangle or the INFO DISPL?

The more I read your problem, the more I think your alternator is at fault. Perhaps your alternator is putting out weird amounts of juice and this is causing many lights and electric equipments to act odd. Otherwise they seem like ground faults, but on a ten year old Saab? What is the condition of the car?

casad> Appreciate any input to the following -

Alternator is a cinch. If wanted, I can send a .pdf file with illustrations and instructions on how to replace.

I would rebuild yours (ie by yourself - replace the bearings and brushes), since the NG 900 series seems to have a non-standard alternator. The old 900's and 9000's used a bog stock Bosch alternator, and these can be sourced extremely cheaply by finding a 1980's Chrysler in a salvage yard that has a recently-rebuilt or low-milage alternator (of same amperage).

I am sure the 900 NG uses a Bosch as well, but it seems to be a different design.

I concur with the dealer. Fix the alternator and clear the codes. If it comes back then follow suit.

TCS OFF might have come on if the TCS was turned off - maybe something touching the switch? Not a potential reaction to Check Engine.

Information light is the exclamation point in a triangle or the INFO DISPL?

The more I read your problem, the more I think your alternator is at fault. Perhaps your alternator is putting out weird amounts of juice and this is causing many lights and electric equipments to act odd. Otherwise they seem like ground faults, but on a ten year old Saab? What is the condition of the car?

casad> Appreciate any input to the following -

J Dexter/Max,

Thank you for your observations and suggestions.

The car is in very good condition - no abuse, regular maintenance. I am concerned that I've let the alternator problem go to far as your comments indicate that other electrical issues (like mine) start to crop up. The Information Light (with the exclamation point) is the one being displayed with the SRS along with losing my back speakers. Does this mean a surge of voltage zapped the components and now they have to be replaced. Or is it possible that taking car of the alternator may correct theses issues?

Also, please send a .pdf as soon as you can.

Best Regards, John Casadonte snipped-for-privacy@bellsouth.net

John:

While you are in there... if you have not replaced the upper idler pulley and serp belt in the last 50K miles then replace it. They go without warning.

Max,

Any chance you can send me the .pdf of the instructions. I'd like to get at this problem over the weekend.

John