Piston Slap: The Saab SID, the Dead CD Stereo!
Seth writes:
Sajeev (and your evil twin)
OK, you asked for it so here goes: I have an 2005 saab 9-3 5-speed convertible that is having issues.
I use it as a summer car. It is my third saab so I am use to some weird stuff. Last year, I parked it for the winter and everything worked. I lost my garage space for the winter so I had it under a car cover. When spring came my SID (Saab Information Display) did not work. I know the SIDs in previous generations were an issue but not on this model. As a bonus, my CD player also died, but the radio still worked even without its display.
So I get the SID replaced — really the only reason was so I could see radio the current station — by an independent Saab mechanic, but now the radio does not work. The indie said the amp is bad. The Saab amp setup (I have a 7-speaker, 150W ARC sound system, I think) is fiber optic and a PITA. He checked the fuses and said they are fine. It seems odd the radio does not work the minute the new SID is in. I can replace the amp, but it’s a 4-hour drive one way to do so and I would prefer not to kill a day to find out it was something simple.
I checked the board but it seems I have the one in a million issue. Got any ideas? And no Panther advice, please.
I will have garage space from now on and I do not mind getting the amp fixed. I love the car but a radio and a working SID would be nice.
Sajeev answers:
This thread suggests you check the amp and wiring for water damage. Not a bad idea, and there’s also a conversion harness for eliminating OnStar if your old connector is damaged by liquid.
I suspect your Saab indie mechanic is right: the amp’s internal guts are indeed dead and you gotta replace it. If you doubt him, get a shop manual and follow the diagnostic yourself. Sometimes a book, a multi-meter and a lot of spare time is worth it. But I’d probably stick with your trusty Saab mechanic’s advice.
Send your queries to sajeev@thetruthaboutcars.com. Spare no details and ask for a speedy resolution if you’re in a hurry…but be realistic, and use your make/model specific forums instead of TTAC for more timely advice.
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As Albert noted, you can not drop an aftermarket receiver in a pre 2007 9-3 without rewiring the entire audio system (from power to speakers), and then you will lose things like the turn signal beepers, which are routed through the sound system. Most likely, as your Indy said, the problem is the amp, which is located under the front driver seat and is subject to corrosion. You can get your amp fixed or a refurbished replacement from saabradio.com. I got the amp in my 2006 9-3 repaired several years ago, and it is still working fine.
Had an 06 Saab 9-3. Owned it nine years. The entire stereo -- tuner, amp, CD player -- crapped out two years into the ownership experience. Went to the Saab dealer. His response: "Just about all of 'em do that sooner or later." And the entire unit was replaced. At least ours quit while under warranty. Interestingly, the problem started when it was cold outside before it completely and finally puked. A car from Scandinavia that can't take the cold. Only GM could manage that. Yours is not an uncommon occurrence for this make-model. Sorry. It sucks. Try this "http://www.ebay.com/bhp/saab-9-3-stereo"