What is causing a hard starting problem on my 2005 9-3 Linear?

R1G

MEMBER
2005 SAAB 9-3
60,000 MILES

Every so often, about once every 2-3 months, my 2005 9-3 is very hard to start. There is no apparent reason for the problem. Car just keeps turning over like if it had no spark or fuel. I have always been able to get it started but it wears the battery down to where I know I will not always be so lucky. While turning over, I give the car a lot of gas and when it does finally start, it runs rough for about 30-60 seconds and then returns to normal. Mechanically, the car is not abused and well taken care of. It drives like new and I don't want to get rid of it but I may be moving to a new area and I need to be able to trust the car. I am not an expert but I do have some experience fixing cars as well as using a scanner to pull up trouble codes. (Check engine light is not on.) I would like to try and fix it myself, if possible. Thank you in advance to anyone that can help me with this.

5 Replies

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Based on your description, I feel it has to with a weak fuel pump. When the problem happens, check fuel pump pressure.

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Saturday, September 10th, 2011 AT 5:47 PM

MNTHNY4

MECHANIC
612 POSTS

AFTER CHECK FUEL PUMP PRESSURE, IF OK REPLACE YOUR CRANKSHAFT POSITION SENSOR I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A FEW FOR SAME TYPE ISSUE, GOOD LUCK.

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Thursday, September 22nd, 2011 AT 5:48 PM

MNTHNY4

MECHANIC
612 POSTS

Would be nice if u post back r1g if info helped, or if you fixed it some other way, cause info do help others out there with similar issue thanks.

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Thursday, October 6th, 2011 AT 1:44 PM

R1G

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Thank you very much for both replies. I am still waiting for the problem to happen again so I can come back with some good info. I will say, though, with the 1st answer, I originally dismissed the fuel pump only because I hear it power up when I turn the key to the on position right before starting. I now keep my fuel pressure gauge in the car so if it happens again I will be prepared to check it. The second answer (crank sensor) I did not consider, aw well. I have no experience with Saab dist. Ignition system but I do with GM products. I have never seen this as an intermittent problem. The car was always dead until the sensor was replaced. Also, at least with the GM cars I worked on, I never knew how to check between whether the problem was a bad crank/cam sensor or the control module. I always bought the sensor first because it was cheap and if that did not fix the car, I put the control module in. Thanks again for the replies.

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Friday, October 7th, 2011 AT 6:47 PM

JACOBANDNICKOLAS

MECHANIC
109,740 POSTS

Let us know what you find. Remember, when it doesn't start, check to see if there is spark too. If there is, and it is a strong blue snapping spark, chances are the crank / cam sensors are okay.