I know that it’s been a long time since I rapped at ya (some of you will get that reference), but I’ve been very busy lately doing all sorts of things like working, working on the 9-5, working some more, and working on the 9-5 some more.
Things are getting sorted out.
As I talked about in the last thread on this subject, the Saab 9-5 automatic climate control (ACC) system uses a building-type ventilation system that blends outside air with hot or cold air from the heater or air conditioner to match the desired cabin temperature. The ACC displays the error code “08″ when the blend control damper has moved out of range — indicating that the motor and door are no longer connected by something in the linkage — namely, the little plastic piece that’s ridiculously weak.
As this thread on Saabcentral will attest, the “dreaded 08 code” fix seems simple, but is deceptively difficult to execute. First of all, only contortionists need apply — this component is under the dash directly between the steering column and the center console. To make matters worse, it’s extremely difficult to correctly index the repaired blend door shaft with the stepper motor. To top it all off, it’s very difficult to tell if other components in the system are broken as well, meaning that even a flawless install of the repaired shaft may still result in errors on the ACC.
Fun.
After about 4-5 hours invested, I think that another hour or so tomorrow will have the car back in full operation.
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As far as driving the 9-5, I’ve really liked it. It is a bigger car than the 900, for sure, and the longer wheelbase makes it handle significantly differently. I desperately need new tires. The previous owner installed Hankook Ventus HRII, which I am completely unimpressed with. Wet traction is horrible. I spin in the rain on every start from stop, and believe me, we’ve had plenty of rain. Dry performance is passable; better than I first suspected, but still not enough grip for my tastes. I was very surprised to learn that these tires have a similar hardness/wear rating as a couple of my top picks for replacements — the BFGoodrich g-force Sport and the Kumho Ecsta SPT. At the moment, I’m leaning toward the g-force, but I’ve not made the final decision.
Tires are as individual as drivers, it seems. I know that many of you have weighed in with you opinions in the past on tires, and I’ve taken that in, and I’ve, of course, consulted the brain trust over at Saabcentral on their opinions. In a great example, regular reader Wulf is a huge fan of the Yokohama KR520, but I simply don’t need the all-weather capabilities of that tire, nor do I need or want the longer life. I want a soft, grippy tire that is safe in wet weather. Since I only drive my own cars about 6,000 miles (9,600 km) per year, even the softest tires should last three years or more, so why not go with performance?
Comments taken, and your input is valued. Especially those of you with 5-speed 9-5′s with the 2.3 LPT.
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Congratulations are once again in order for the resident Frenchman, Golfhunter.
It seems that he’s smitten by this catch, and I must say that I love it, too.
And, when I say smitten, check out his title on the majority of the pictures (I am not making this up):
Jeff, you’ve got to get out more. Maybe cut back on the wine a little bit.
So, really, I have to ask: Jeff, how many Saabs do you have? It must be upwards of five, at least.
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Finally, it seems that someone from planet Reality put a call into Bob Lutz and he’s explained himself — a little.
“My thoughts on what has or hasn’t been the cause of climate change have nothing to do with the decisions I make to advance the cause of General Motors.”
What? Your opinions don’t factor into your decisions, Mr. Lutz?
“As long as I am in this position at this company, GM will continue to take these initiatives and others that lessen, and eventually even eliminate, the environmental impact of the automobile.”
Hmmm… I guess so. Or, at least I think that I understand. Sort of. Whatever.
the ACC fix is simple with a kit from thesaabsite.com
put your drivers seat back all the way, and recline it as far as it will go. you can then go at it “upside down” and it is extremely simple. Took me 1 hour once I realized to put the seat this way. Easier than installing the open air intake on the 9-5, it’s that easy.
i have bridgestone potenza re050a pole positions on the viggen (225/45/17). absolutely outstanding tire. you’ll have fun just TRYING to get them to make some noise. they never make a peep!
I saw the weather in Tennessee yesterday was freezing rain. I would imagine you’d have a problem driving on that with just about any tire except maybe those tires in the James Bond movie where metal spikes shoot out of holes in them!
Thanks for the input, Jeffk!
Grip: fortunately, that didn’t materialize. Temps moderated in the upper 30s F (2-3 deg C) and we got our typical winter rain.
But, yes, driving on ice is something that even hardy Midwesterners have trouble with. As I’ve said with the tire comment: the physics of this whole car thing comes down to the friction created by your tires. More friction is better. Since ice has almost no friction compared to asphalt, it’s tough for anyone to drive on.
I use the Kumho Solus and live near Atlanta. They handle great and give nice quiet ride. I hear the Ecsta is a bit more performance. I drive that 6000 miles in a bit over two months, so tread wear was a bigger factor for me. I would have to make all kinds of excuses to hit the road if I was on your annual mileage trek. We need that rain to keep coming and fill the lakes up so I can start washing car again without the fear of paying a ticket for using the water.
btw…If you are in need of parts that are acceptable used check out English-Swedish spares in Alpharetta, GA. Chris is great and has always given me great deals. Example…$300 blower motor for $100. That took me about an hour to instal and has been flawless.
As you know, the 9-5 is a heavy car with a soft suspension (the aero suspension kit did wonders to our lpt, at a very reasonable cost from the EXCELLENT Saab dealer in Lévis, Quebec), so make sure you get a tire with a rigid side-wall. Tires I didn’t like include the original Michelins and Yokohama Avids which were both dangerous on water. Last time around I tried something conservative and am happy with them because they are quiet-the 9-5 is prone to road noise-and offer reasonable grip and good balance. They are Good Year Assurance Comfo Tred. Check out there ratings, you may be surprised. The Assurance Triple Tred offer more grip but are a little noisier.
No. 9: Good input. I hadn’t thought about that.
1. Window louvres are so totally 80s. Awesome.
2. Maximum Bob gets paid to make decisions that make GM money, and that means going green, even if he thinks it’s stupid. Which seems to be what he’s doing.
LOL!! My thoughts exactly! Those TRX wheels are totally 80s, too. See here. EnG
I don’t think those louvers are the Saab accessory ones. Looks like an aftermarket one. However, it does look cool because it sort of has some sort of prehistoric reptilian look about it. Like spikes down the spine or something.
I like the old louvers because they’re totally functional.
Maximum Bob has already been burned by taking the wrong course. A few years back he was saying that hybrids are not the way to go and that GM was full-steam-ahead with hydrogen. Now he’s announcing GM is introducing a new hybrid every 90 days.
Yes. I love that he absolutely cannot bring himself to back track on anything, he just brushes it aside and soldiers on. Hence my comments. He says that his opinion on the environment has nothing to do with anything, then he asserts that he is 100% committed to environmental cars. This is Clinton-esque compartmental thinking, I guess? EnG
Hi everybody !
Thanx for all your comments here and on Flickr .
Thanx Swade for your enthusiasm about that fantastic flatnose which are quiet rare in France .
The TRX wheels have been restored. The whole car has been resprayed too a few years ago .
The Louvre (Jalousie in french which could be translated something like the feeling of jealous in english ) is a genuine Saab accessory , signed SAAB . But actually I had never seen a Louvre paint the same colour as the car . I thought they were available only in black . But I was wrong .
Swade , you’re right ; she’s number 5 . I won’t go further thought .
Even if I’d love to own a Sedan one day ….
eggs: Maximum Bob for prez?
Golfhunter: yes, the louvers being the same color as the body is what threw me off and made me think it wasn’t a Saab factory louver. Then again, what company would make an aftermarket louver for Saabs!?!?
I had a set of those horrible TRX tires on my 1981 C900T sedan when I owned it back around 1991. When I bought the car the tires were almost bald and I had to replace them. The price I was quoted for a new set was outrageous! They had to be shipped-over from Europe and were expensive because they were no longer being manufactured in volume (special order only) by the one firm which made them (Michelin). My grandfather insisted on paying for them (I was young and couldn’t afford it) because he feared for my safety. I later found-out I could’ve simply changed-out the wheel hubs with a newer model C900 and put “normal” wheels on the car. Oh well, live and learn!
Don’t worry , I’m not living in the US , so the shipping won’t be so high as it was for you .
A friend of mine can get good prices for tires because it’s her job so it’s not a problem for me actually .I live and learn how to get things that I want for a good price
Golfhunter: I just read on the internet (so it HAS to be true, right?) that Michelin still manufactures the TRX tires on a special-order basis. You can likely get them much cheaper simply due to the fact that Michelin is a French firm and like you point-out the shipping cost won’t nearly be as high.
I have the BFG g-force Sports on my c900 convertible – and I like them quite a bit.
I have also heard good things about the Triple Treds.
I still say hydrogen is the best choice for alternative fuels, but no one seems to be pushing it. I mean, come on, who doesn’t want a car powered by single-h? (anyone get the super-nerdy sci-fi reference?)
Jeff: how the hydrogen is made is the concern right now. From “tank to wheels” it looks really good, but from “well to wheels” is another story. In most processes to produce hydrogen more energy is used than it’s worth to extract the hydrogen from water, for example. Also there are too many energy conversions in the process.
Instead of using a lot of electricity to separate hydrogen from oxygen in water, only to recombine the hydrogen and oxygen in a fuel cell to create electricity again, why not just put the electricity directly into batteries?
Because battery power is boring, of course! Jeez, everything runs on batteries. My car of the future should run on something cool!
Grip: on the money about h. Kinda like ethanol, hmmm?
Greg: I ordered the bfg g-force, so I’m glad that you agree.
eggsngrits: I guess in a way you could make the argument that h is like e, except that it doesn’t take a large amount of electricity to produce ethanol, I don’t think. If it did, then yes, it appears putting the electricity directly into the car would be more efficient.
Short-term I still like ethanol better than gasoline…
Jeff: How ’bout running your car on garbage? That’s pretty cool.
I have had good results as with previous cars with the Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 in 225 width on my 2000 9-5 Aero 5spd, good traction wet or dry, clear signposting of loss of grip and quieter than the michelin pilots that were on the car previously.