1999 9-5 high-beams not staying on?

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

Dave Hinz - 08 Feb 2007 12:49 GMT

Any idea why I can get my high beams to come on, but not _stay_ on?
They only come on now if I hold the stalk towards me which obviously
isn't going to work for me long term. The headlight switch is set all
the way to on, all four bulbs do light (low and high on both sides - I
think - I can't be in the car and outside but the reflection changes on
both sides). What am I overlooking?

Reply to this Message

Frode - 08 Feb 2007 21:34 GMT

> Any idea why I can get my high beams to come on, but not _stay_ on?
> They only come on now if I hold the stalk towards me which obviously
> isn't going to work for me long term. The headlight switch is set all
> the way to on, all four bulbs do light (low and high on both sides - I
> think - I can't be in the car and outside but the reflection changes on
> both sides). What am I overlooking?

Had exactly that symptom 3-4 years ago on my 93 9k. Intermittent to begin
with but gradually became worse. Temperature-related too.

It turned out to be one of the relay units placed in a box near the battery.
It may have had some french text on it... Anyway, after I gave the internal
vertically mounted PCB a thorough treatment with the soldering iron _and_
new solder, the symptom went away for good.

I don't think it was a relay afterall, just a control circuit. Quite large.

Regards,
Frode

Reply to this Message

Dave Hinz - 08 Feb 2007 21:40 GMT

>> Any idea why I can get my high beams to come on, but not _stay_ on?

> Had exactly that symptom 3-4 years ago on my 93 9k. Intermittent to begin
> with but gradually became worse. Temperature-related too.

Well, it is about -22C outside at the moment. Could very well be.

> It turned out to be one of the relay units placed in a box near the battery.
> It may have had some french text on it... Anyway, after I gave the internal
> vertically mounted PCB a thorough treatment with the soldering iron _and_
> new solder, the symptom went away for good.
> I don't think it was a relay afterall, just a control circuit. Quite large.

Ah. If that's the same mechanism they've been using since the days of
the Saab 96, then I know the mechanism. Thank you, I'll go look at that
now and have a look, and report any interesting findings.

mvh,
Dave Hinz

Reply to this Message

Frode - 08 Feb 2007 22:16 GMT

>>> Any idea why I can get my high beams to come on, but not _stay_ on?
>
>> Had exactly that symptom 3-4 years ago on my 93 9k. Intermittent to begin
>> with but gradually became worse. Temperature-related too.
>
> Well, it is about -22C outside at the moment. Could very well be.

-17 here, which is why I didnt go out to check out the color and other
details for you ...

>> It turned out to be one of the relay units placed in a box near the
>> battery. It may have had some french text on it... Anyway, after I gave
[quoted text clipped - 6 lines]
> the Saab 96, then I know the mechanism. Thank you, I'll go look at that
> now and have a look, and report any interesting findings.

Not on my 78 99, that one looks entirely different, and still works like
new!

The unit I mean is traditional all plastic, possibly double-size, and mostly
contains power-electronics stuff-

vh,
Frode

Reply to this Message

Dave Hinz - 08 Feb 2007 22:43 GMT

>> Well, it is about -22C outside at the moment. Could very well be.
> -17 here, which is why I didnt go out to check out the color and other
> details for you ...

I understand completely, my friend.

>> Ah. If that's the same mechanism they've been using since the days of
>> the Saab 96, then I know the mechanism. Thank you, I'll go look at that
>> now and have a look, and report any interesting findings.

> Not on my 78 99, that one looks entirely different, and still works like
> new!

Of course...

> The unit I mean is traditional all plastic, possibly double-size, and mostly
> contains power-electronics stuff-

I just got in from doing my wife's vehicle's battery - as soon as I can
warm up a bit I'll head back out for that one.

Thanks again,
Dave

Reply to this Message