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2008 Saab 9-3 Base 4dr Sedan

2008 Saab 9-3
Trim Info:
Front Wheel Drive, 4 Door Sedan, Compact
19 mpg city / 29 mpg hwy
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March 24, 2010, 10:35 pm

Hal H
 

Question: RUNS AND DIES WHEN WARM

MY CAR RUNS AND DIES WHEN IT WARMS UP. LET IT COOL OFF A LITTLE WHILE AND IT WILL RESTART AND RUNS ABOUT 20 MINUTES AND THEN DIE AGAIN, LET IT COOL OFF AND AGAIN THE SAME THING, FUEL PUMP CYCLES LIKE NORMAL ?


March 25, 2010, 8:34 pm

Ron W
Expert Mechanic

When the problem is happening, you have to figure out if it's a spark or fuel issue. Try these procedures when the car won't start.

When you just turn the car on (without cranking) listen for a 2 second buzz from the fuel pump (you may need an assistant to listen at the fuel neck with the cap off.) If you hear that, it means your fuel pump can run. No noise means your pump or it's relay is bad.

If you have access to a scantool, look at the datastream for an RPM signal when cranking. If it's not there, your crank sensor is not working. You can check for spark by removing a plug and and grounding it to a good ground with the plug wire hooked up. Have someone crank and see it a spark jumps the electrode.

If you can isolate which area your problem is, I can give you my best guess.


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