2004 SAAB 9-3 repair Question Traction Control Failure &

CARLDAMIEN

MEMBER
2004 SAAB 9-3
4 CYL
FWD
MANUAL
70,000 MILES

I receive a traction control failure on my display immediately followed by the car shutting off. I pull over without power steering but everything electrical is still fully operational. Now when I open the hood up I can hear a rapid clicking sound coming from a plug on the front of the engine (there is a wire running to the engine from the battery and in the middle of this wire it can be disconnected, this is exactly where the sound is coming from). This sound persists whether I remove the key or leave it on, until I disconnect the battery. The first time this happened I had the car towed to the dealership. They ran tech II on it and charged the battery, found no problems and the car started right up. Month later it happens again, pulled over, went and got a new battery and it started right up. Few weeks later same thing. This time I just disconnected the battery terminal and then reconnected it after 10 seconds or so and usually this allows me to start it again (but is very annoying). Could this be a relay that is going bad (can relays slowly go bad) or maybe the black module that sits on the positive battery terminal? I have no idea what to do since the dealer couldn't even figure this out.

7 Replies

MNTHNY4

MECHANIC
612 POSTS

Replace relay box on position terminal, this box can be bypassed just by removing it & reconnect the red cable coming from uec [underhood electrical center ] or fuse box , be warned that box is there for safety reasons, so best to replace it, after u have replaced it get all fault codes that were set erased from system, just removing battery terminal does not erase codes from this type of vehicle.

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Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 AT 3:10 PM

CARLDAMIEN

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If I completely bypass the relay, will my car continue to shut down until I have the codes reset?

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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 AT 4:18 PM

MNTHNY4

MECHANIC
612 POSTS

Should not, if there is no other major issues

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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 AT 8:43 PM

CARLDAMIEN

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That sucks then because I removed the relay box from the circuit (initially I just bypassed it but it was still failing) and I am still receiving the message followed by the car dying. It seemed as though things were better initially but they are almost the same now. I was reading that it may be the crankshaft position sensor but was also wondering what the symptoms would be of a failing computer. I also tried wiggling and inspecting all 4 wheel sensors to ensure they were well connected to no avail. The only other thing I could possibly imagine it being is a bad ground somewhere. I do have a power steering fluid leak (the cap does not seal properly) that drips fluid down the front drivers side of the engine near the starter (which I am told that the CPS lies behind) and was thinking maybe that was getting into a circuit somewhere causing a malfunction. I have checked everywhere that I could get to without removing any components and everything is dry. Any ideas?

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Wednesday, November 4th, 2009 AT 8:54 PM

MNTHNY4

MECHANIC
612 POSTS

Ok then I am going to tell u how to reset all main control module try if this work for u, if not u will need to take to dealer to diagnose problem, first take your 2 battery terminals off, now touch them togather for 10 seconds or so, now replace both & start & drive vehicle then let me know what happens, if vehicle still stalling out.