Saab not starting

[Aaron Hammingh]

I have a 2001 Saab 9-5 wagon, only had it for a couple months and it’s been having intermittent starting problems. When I attempt starting it, the engine cranks but just doesn’t kick over and start. From what I’ve read I was thinking possibly the neutral safety switch, but others that got that had no crank at all. It’s not driven as much, just once in awhile. Any ideas on what the problem is?

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[Rajko Milakovic]

I have worked on saab 9-5 with 3.0 l engine where direct ignition cassette went bad, it shorted out and burned fuse, replaced cassette and car is now like new.Hope your fuel pump is fixed i know how hard it can be working in this cold.

[Aaron Hammingh]

Well I had a friend help me work on it, checked the fuse and relay and both were fine. He checked voltage for the fuel pump and was getting no power. So when I was finally able to, I ordered a new fuel pump. When it arrived, my friend pulled out the old one, only to find out it’s actually still good, so I packed up the new one and sent it back. I’ve read a lot of Saab forums and it sounds like it could be a crank sensor. I’m gonna give that a try next weekend and hopefully it will be running again.
On a side note, there’s a Subaru Legacy that someone is selling that I’m wanting to buy, and I’d feel like an A-hole if I bought it while my wife’s Saab is a lawn ornament. So hopefully next weekend the weather holds up like it is now and I can work on it.
I will do my best to keep this updated more frequently, I just haven’t been able to work on it.

[Rajko Milakovic]

crank position sensor can cause no spark condition, computer doesn’t know where pistons are, something distributor timing used to do in older cars, hopefully weather holds up for you.

[Matt]

I never see saabs roll threw the shop but I had one last week.it was a 4 banger with crank no start. Had no spark and replaced the ignition cassette. This is just a fyi post.

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