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Car Forum / Saab Cars / July 2005

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URGENT HELP NEEDED 9-5 Oil Light on but plenty of oil?

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Al - 26 Jun 2005 19:15 GMT
Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light came
on with a "bing!"  Now I clearly don't want to buy it if there's a problem,
but there's plenty of oil in it and no nasty noises, and it's going for a
good price.

The dealer, (non-Saab) thinks it's just the sender and will replace it, but
I'm less sure.  He also warned me it would happen before the test drive.

Can anyone shed any light on this before I spend my hard earned.  Would
appreciate a few responses as quickly as possible,

Cheers

Al
John B - 26 Jun 2005 21:11 GMT
> Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light came
> on with a "bing!"  Now I clearly don't want to buy it if there's a problem,
> but there's plenty of oil in it and no nasty noises, and it's going for a
> good price.

Is that model/year subject to the "oil sludge" problem? If so, that could be
making the oil warning light come on. But if replacing the sender fixes the
problem, then I guess it's OK. Unless the dealer fixes the problem by removing
the oil warning light bulb.

John
Al - 26 Jun 2005 21:53 GMT
>> Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light
>> came
[quoted text clipped - 12 lines]
>
> John

Doesn't that come on as a test at ignition?
It's a 1998 by the way, oil sludge problem?!?  Anyone?

Al
John B - 26 Jun 2005 22:50 GMT
> Doesn't that come on as a test at ignition?

Yes, good point.

> It's a 1998 by the way, oil sludge problem?!?  Anyone?

I have the letter from Saab about the sludge problem at home (our 2001 9-3 is
potentially effected). I'll have a look and post the list of models/years
later.

John
Al - 26 Jun 2005 23:27 GMT
>> Doesn't that come on as a test at ignition?
>
[quoted text clipped - 8 lines]
>
> John

That would be very much appreciated,
thanks

Al
John B - 27 Jun 2005 15:16 GMT
> "John B" <rotten_NOSPAM_@ccil.org> wrote in message
>>
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> That would be very much appreciated,
> thanks

Ok, so I forgot to check the letter last night. But a quick google search
turned up this article, which lists the models:

http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=101970

The 2.3-liter in 1998-2003 Saab 9-5s and in 1999 Saab 9-3 Viggens.

The 2.0-liter in 2000-02 Saab 9-3 three-doors and five-doors and in 2000-03
Saab 9-3 convertibles.

John
Pooh Bear - 27 Jun 2005 02:51 GMT
> > Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light came
> > on with a "bing!"  Now I clearly don't want to buy it if there's a problem,
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
> problem, then I guess it's OK. Unless the dealer fixes the problem by removing
> the oil warning light bulb.

I've only heard of sludge being an issue in the USA. Choice of oil ?

Btw - my ex-g/f of old once had an Iranian lodger ( he was here to avoid the Iran
- Iraq war and kept failing his exams on purpose to stay here ) who bought an old
Honda / Nissan whatever. One day he mentioned the oil light was on. Turned out it
had been on for weeks. A quick inspection showed a lack of oil in the sump !
Literally nothing at all showing on the dipstick. It still ran though.......

Graham
BL - 27 Jun 2005 02:10 GMT
The oil sending unit could very well be the culprit. To put your mind at
ease, have the mechanic test the oil pressure at idle, and at RPM to ensure
that the oil pump is delivering within spec.

Good Luck

BL

> Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light came
> on with a "bing!"  Now I clearly don't want to buy it if there's a
[quoted text clipped - 11 lines]
>
> Al
John Hudson - 27 Jun 2005 05:57 GMT
> Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light came
> on with a "bing!"  Now I clearly don't want to buy it if there's a problem,
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> Can anyone shed any light on this before I spend my hard earned.  Would
> appreciate a few responses as quickly as possible,

Take someone with you (preferably an engineer!) who knows something about
cars to give a second opinion. If nothing else that may put your mind at
ease. What about the mileage, FSH, contact the previous owner, etc? If the
dealer has nothing to hide you can find out these things.
Al - 27 Jun 2005 13:51 GMT
>> Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light
>> came
[quoted text clipped - 14 lines]
> ease. What about the mileage, FSH, contact the previous owner, etc? If the
> dealer has nothing to hide you can find out these things.

Mileage is 65000, history is up to date and complete, ultimately the
contract will say that he will solve the issue prior to delivery, if I go
ahead with the deal.

Thanks for the input.

Al
John Hudson - 27 Jun 2005 17:49 GMT
> Mileage is 65000, history is up to date and complete, ultimately the
> contract will say that he will solve the issue prior to delivery, if I go
> ahead with the deal.
>
> Thanks for the input.

Al the above sounds ok. If the low oil pressure light comes on after the oil
warms up it is either ultra thin oil (very unlikely), worn engine (65000
miles and if you can see the service intervals in the book surely that is
unlikely). That leaves only a faulty sender, it would be nice if you could
see a new sender put in and then have a test drive straightaway.  Bear in
mind that with the new sale of goods act all second hand cars bought from a
dealer come with a form of warranty.
At the end of the day a lot will depend on what you think of the dealer and
the price you pay. I have never bought a bad second hand car yet but I think
I've always found something to worry about when parting with my money! Good
luck.
Al - 27 Jun 2005 17:59 GMT
>> Mileage is 65000, history is up to date and complete, ultimately the
>> contract will say that he will solve the issue prior to delivery, if I go
[quoted text clipped - 18 lines]
> Good
> luck.

John,
yeah he's going to fit a new sender, and I'll have my specialists check it
out anyway.  There is a warranty, for what it's worth. Deal is done now.
The good lady liked the colour, and I was happy with the dealers attitude.
He's in town, spent 12 years as a Saab sales manager and seems genuine.  His
place has been running as long as I've lived here, (since 2002) and he
always has a few Saabs on the forecourt.

The balance of posts here, the probability that it is just a dodgy sender,
good history file and a HPI check confirming mileage along with clear
registers on theft, finance etc means I have done the deal.

Thanks for all your input folks.

AL

(Anyone in North West England want a NG900?)
Malt_Hound - 27 Jun 2005 15:09 GMT
> Just test drove a 9-5, (1999 9-5 S)  when she warmed up the oil light came
> on with a "bing!"  Now I clearly don't want to buy it if there's a problem,
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Al

Was it oil level or oil pressure?  Probably pressure, and yes, best to
stay away from that one if that is what happened.

-Fred W
PAPAGENE4JACK - 27 Jun 2005 17:56 GMT
If someone warned me before the test drive that the oil light was going to
come I would be very suspecious of that dealer.  Why would he have a car
on his lot that has a problem that he has not corrected.  Is that going to
be his bargaining chip?  Good luck papa
Al - 27 Jun 2005 18:44 GMT
> If someone warned me before the test drive that the oil light was going to
> come I would be very suspecious of that dealer.  Why would he have a car
> on his lot that has a problem that he has not corrected.  Is that going to
> be his bargaining chip?  Good luck papa

Sorry, how would that be a bargaining chip?
The only deal done on the oil light was that he would fix it, or no deal!

We had seen him the day before, and he'd got his lad to give the car a quick
run before we took the test drive on the Sunday.  Car was on his lot for
about two weeks prior to our interest.  His lad reported the fault to him,
and he told me.  I'd be far more suspicious of a dealer who said nothing,
and then acted all surprised when I reported it back to him after the test
drive, because yes the dealer should know if such problems are present.

The dealer has a signed contract to correct the issue before the deal is
finalised.  He has a couple of hundred quid as a deposit, the remaining
several thousand will not be his until I am satisfied he has corrected the
issue.

In addition there is a warranty.  If all else fails I'll see him in the
small claims court.   I know little/nothing of US or European law, but UK
contract law is pretty watertight, and the small claims court, whilst slow,
does get results eventually.

I know car dealers have a bad reputation in the UK, but I have a nose for a
scallywag, and he doesn't make it twitch.

Cheers

Al

By the way, any opinions on upgrading the ECU?  Abbot and Speedparts offer
+40 and +65bhp?  It's the wife's car so it probably won't happen but
opinions would be appreciated.
Al - 04 Jul 2005 12:19 GMT
> > If someone warned me before the test drive that the oil light was going to
> > come I would be very suspecious of that dealer.  Why would he have a car
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
>
> Al

Hi folks,
well the dealer just gave us our deposit back.  Replacing the oil
sender, cleaning out the sump and feeder pipe didn't help.  Having
spoken to my mechanic, they were even more sceptical than Fred W! (see
above)

Credit to the dealer, he agreed to refund straight away, he phoned me.
However, if I hadn't had some help from my mechanic and you guys, who
knows.

If the dealer had fixed the problem, my mechanic, (Aeromotive of
Birstal) was going to give it the once over before I parted with the
rest of my (wifes)cash.  As it is we're out of the deal, and wondering
what to do next 9-3 or 9-5?

See my new post.

Thanks again for all your input.

Al
 
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