Help! check engine light on and off and engine runs cold

I had persistent check engine light problems with my 1996 900SE (85K miles). I also have problems with the engine taking a long time to warm up on very cold days.

I won't go in to all the ins and outs of what happened with taking my car in to a Saab mechanic to have the computer checked for trouble codes that would indicate why the check engine light came on. Suffice it to say that you may want to make the relatively small investment of a new gas cap, just to see if that will cure the problem.

In a similar quick fix vein, it seems that you may need a new thermostat. However, you may be able to cure the engine temperature problem by putting some aluminum foil in front of the radiator. That's what I did last winter, and then I took the aluminum foil out in the spring.

On a recent long drive on the first very cold day of the winter here, the temperature guage wouldn't get out of the cold at all. So I stopped, bought a roll of aluminum foil, and put in a sheet in front of the radiator, which took care of the problem. The radiator grill snaps out to provide the necessary access. Of course, while the aluminum foil is in place, you need to keep an especially close eye on the temperature guage, to make sure that you don't overheat -- during prolonged stop-and-go traffic, for example.

Sounds like you need to replace the thermostat.

Half hour job and won't cost much

Martin

When you replace the thermostat, be sure the replacement is correct for the operating temperature of your car. Temperature is critical to the fuel management and the wrong temperature could greatly effect your efficiency.

Malcolm