Ignition problems of the 2000 SAAB 95

2000 SAAB 95 automobile has poor performance and loss of power. SAAB dealer replaced direct ignition cassette (dic) in 2006 under recall and the problem has developed again. The dealer will not replace a second dic. This is both expensive and dangerous for highway operation. The part has problems.

Blinking check engine light. Happens every time I accelerate hard. The failure was in the direct ignition cassette. Causing misfire and possible damage to the cat. Dealer will not replace.

I have a 2000 SAAB 9-5 se, 6 cylinder engine. While driving my car simply stopped running in the middle of traffic. Once towed to the service center it was determined that the coil pack on half of the cylinders was at fault. This was replaced. I have learned that SAAB has recalled the 4 cylinder coil packs but not the 6 cylinder version. Even though the 4 and 6 cylinder version are different, I would expect the manufacturing of these to be very similar. I have heard rumors from repair shops of a high failure rate of the 6 cylinder version too, as in my case.

While driving in traffic my engine suddenly stopped and would not restart. Once towed, the service center determined the failure was in a small cheap (to manufacture) hall effect sensor for crankshaft position. This failure of this little switch stopped me dead in the middle of traffic. Give the safety issue of this failure mode and the fact it is small and cheap, I would like to see a redundant sensor in the design. This redundant sensor can serve as a fail over mechanism.

I used the car only for week end ski trips twice a month or less through the winter. This occasionally required jump starts. The week of the failure the car started okay to move it to the garage so I could take the snow tires off, I then moved it back to its spot. That Friday, I drove over 100 miles from CT to brattleboro, vt, where I went to a supermarket, then a restaurant. It ran perfectly, until I finished dinner, and it would not start. It would crank, but there was no combustion. After a few long walks and many phone calls, no one could help with it and there was no place to stay for the night or cars to rent. I took a taxi 20-30 miles to my family ski house in newfane. The next morning, I called several shops and found one that could look at it. (no dealers in the area) the car was towed to them, and I got a ride from my neighbor down the mountain and back into town. The shop determined it was not a simple fix, and could not give it any more time until later in the week. I called some dealers back in CT, and had it towed there. I got my uncle to come bring me and my dog home. Tuesday, I called the dealer it was at, and they told me the direct ignition cassette failed, and would need to be replaced along with the spark plugs. The repair cost $619. 01, and fixed the problem.

My car periodically will not start. The lights come on; there appears to be power; but when I turn the ignition, all I hear is a click. The car will start on a bump start (manual trans) and will take a jump. I have had the car to the dealer several times but they cannot find the problem. Happens mainly on cold starts.

2000 SAAB 9-5 sedan suddenly stalled out at 60 mph as 2 tracker trailers nearly collided into my vehicle. No shoulders on this highway leaving my family in a horribly dangerous place. Vermont state police responded to provide protection. The cassette which houses the ignition failed. Both the dealer and other owners have expressed that this occurs al the time with Saabs and there is no way to prevent these cars from stalling at any time!.

On 8/11/03 I was driving on us route 9 in hudson new york when my engine stopped running. Pulled to side of road. Had to be towed to SAAB dealer 40 miles away. Replace ignition cassette. Was advised due to my attempt to re-start the car, raw gas got into catalytic converter. Tyhat had to be replaced several weeks later. I am writing this so late as I was unaware this may not be an isolated instance.