2004 Saab 9-3: check engine light

5 of the 207 complaints about the 2004 Saab 9-3 describe check engine light.

owner complaints: 5
of this car's complaints: 2%
recalls: 0

Is there a fix? 16 service bulletins cover this area of the car. See below

Check engine light by model year

2010
1
2009
1
2008
17
2007
4
2006
7
2005
3
2004
5
2003
10
2002
1
2001
5
2000
4
1999
3

What owners say

Filed Aug 27, 2015 · Engine · 151,000 miles · IL

Approximately 5 minutes after starting, the car stalled on a busy, 6 lane road. The engine was not able to start again, or even attempt to ignite. The check engine light was on. The car spent 2 days in the mechanic, who was able to source a p1605 error code. However, he told us only a licensed saab technician could extract details from the code. While at the shop, the car was also started by the mechanics and appeared to be working normally, upon which they deleted the error code. Two days after the initial incident, we drove it back approximately 12 miles back home without any issues. Later that same day, the car stalled a second time on the expressway after 10-15 minutes of driving; fortunately I was driving in the right-hand lane and was easily able to pull over on the shoulder. After the car was towed to a specialized saab mechanic, they were able to conclude that the issues were stemming from a defective ecu (engine control unit). We exchanged the ecu with a brand new part, at the cost of $1400. While clearing up the finances, I spoke with a service representative at the mechanic/dealer who informed me that while my car was in the shop, there were 2 more cars that had came in with the same problem. Also, customer service from an online saab parts retailer informed me that this has been a known problem to him, based off other customers' experiences. Their cars would stall, be fine after cooling down, but would stall again later.

Filed Dec 16, 2013 · Transmission · 107,775 miles · NY

Tl-the contact owns a 2004 saab convertible 93. The contact stated he bought the vehicle form the dealer on december 11, 2013 the check engine light illuminated when he turned the igination on at the dealer and it remained on. The mechanic diagnosed it was an igination malfunction, and it needed to be replaced. The vehicle had not been repaired. The manufacturer was made aware of the problem. The approximate failure mileage was 107,775.lj

Filed Mar 17, 2011 · Fuel system, Transmission · MA

2004 saab 9-3 convertible. Consumer states issues with fuel tank and sensor *tgw the consumer stated the engine light illuminated as well as the greenbox malfunction light due to the vehicle not having the latest software. So, the dealer had to perform the sps of the transmission control module to update to the newest software. The consumer was informed that because he ran the vehicle on low fuel, it shorted out the fuel sensor. The consumer also stated when he first purchased the vehicle, the engine light illuminated due to a faulty fuel pump.

Filed Mar 18, 2010 · Electrical, Transmission · 115,000 miles · NJ

Car instrumentation panel turns off while driving. Car "acts" as if it was off with the red circular alarm flashing, console lights off, clock off, yet I am driving at 50 MPH and the brakes, steering are performing as if I was driving down the road (as I am). Stopped for dinner came out and car did not turn on, light came on, engine light came on but nothing else - could not open trunk from the key fob thing or from the driver side door switch. Called aaa they could not turn the car on and the car battery was charged. Key in ignition and brake depressed did not release car shifter to neutral. This went on for an hour. Finally I need to get into trunk and found a plastic cap behind the rear seat head rest and depressed a switch that owned the trunk although it was to pull down the rear seat... We joked that now the car would turn on and it did when by happenstance the high beams were depressed. Got in the car and drove it home but again the car still driving normally lost the console lights and functionality so I flashed the high beam and all came back except for clock, oh, did I mention now I have a "gear box malfunction" displayed as an error code. Oh, I reported that I replace headlights almost every 2-3 months. My interior cabin fan isn't working and that was after it worked even with the car turned off.

Filed Mar 16, 2005 · Airbags, Engine · 15,123 miles · CA · crash · 1 injury

Owner was driving at approximately 65 MPH the check engine light came on and the vehicle stalled. Vehicle "b" rear ended owner's vehicle while being driven at 70 MPH. Upon impact, the frontal air bags failed to deploy. Owner sustained injuries, was taken to the emergency room and released.