2009 SAAB 9-5 check engine light

174 Starting and driving2 Wait until the needle has dropped back
to indicate normal temperature (roughly
midway, in the white zone) before stop-
ping the engine. If the coolant needs
topping up, unscrew the cap on expan-
sion tank carefully.
Top up, as necessary, ideally with a
50/50 mixture of Saab-approved coolant
and water. If only water is available, use
that, but remember to have the coolant
mixture checked as soon as possible. 3 As soon as possible, have the cooling
system checked by a workshop. We
recommend that you contact an autho-
rized Saab dealer.
Towing a trailer3Trailer hitch attachment3Trailer hitch attachments are available as
accessories. These are designed for a max-
imum trailer weight of 3500 lbs. (1588 kg),
see also page 259.
Use only the electrical trailer hitch socket
provided in the trailer hitch kit.3
Saab recommends:
 Use a Saab original hitch kit attachment
which is designed and tested by Saab. Consult your Saab dealer regarding the
appropriate hitch kit for your car.
If the car has a 13-pin genuine Saab electri-
cal socket, the trailer/caravan can be
equipped with rear fog lamp and reversing
lamps.
The caravan can also have interior and
exterior lighting when the car’s ignition is off.
Do not put a load on the battery for so
long that it becomes discharged and the
car cannot be started.
There is also access to power in the caravan
during a journey, the caravan battery can be
charged for example.

WARNING
 Exercise care when opening the hood
if the engine is overheated. Never
remove the expansion tank cap com-
pletely when the engine is hot.
 The cooling system is pressurized -
hot coolant and vapor can escape.
These can cause injury to your eyes
and burns. Open the cap slowly to
release the pressure before
removing it.
WARNING
 When towing a trailer, do not attempt
to negotiate a hill having a gradient in
excess of 15 %. The weight distribu-
tion over the front wheels of the car will
be insufficient to prevent wheelspin,
making further progress impossible.
 In addition, the parking brake may not
always be able to hold the car and
trailer securely, with the result that the
wheels can start to slide downhill.
 Always apply the trailer’s parking-
brake when unhitching it. There is oth-
erwise a risk of personal injury or
damage to the bumper should the
trailer start to roll.
NOTICEOnly use a towbar that has been
approved for your car. We recommend
that you entrust towbar installation to an
authorized Saab workshop, which can
also provide important information such
as trailer weight. Your authorized Saab
workshop has information on how the
towbar is to be installed and whether
other measures must be undertaken that
could affect the cooling system or other
equipment.
We recommend that you consult an
authorized Saab dealer for guidance on
how to connect the trailer hitch electrical
system.
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185 Starting and driving
help save both batteries and it could
save your radio.
4 Open the hood and locate the battery.
Find the positive (+) and negative (–) termi-
nals on the battery.5 Check that the jumper cables do not
have loose or missing insulation. If they
do, you could get a shock and also the
vehicles could be damaged.
Before you connect the cables, here are
some basic things you should know.
Positive (+) will go to positive (+) and
negative (–) will go to a major metal
engine part with a good ground. Do not
connect (+) to (–) or you will get a short
that could injure you or would damage
the battery and maybe other parts as
well.
6 Connect the red positive (+) cable to the
positive (+) terminal of the vehicle with
the discharged battery.
7 Do not let the other end touch metal.
Connect it to the positive (+) terminal of
the good battery. Use a remote positive
(+) terminal if the vehicle has one.
8 Now connect the black negative (–)
cable to the good battery’s negative
terminal.NOTICEIf you leave your radio on, it could be
badly damaged. The repairs would not be
covered by your warranty.
WARNING
An electric fan can start up even when the
engine is not running and can injure you.
Keep hands, clothing and tools away from
any underhood electric fan.
WARNING
Using a match or flame of any kind near a
battery can cause battery gas to explode.
You can suffer burns or be blinded. Use a
flashlight if you need more light.
Be sure the battery has enough water.
The battery installed in your new Saab
has filler caps. Be sure the right amount
of water is there. Add distilled or boiled
water if the level is too low. If you don’t,
explosive gas could be present.
Be sure the electrolyte in the battery is not
frozen. Discharged batteries will freeze.
When connecting jumper cables to a
frozen battery, gas from the chemical
reaction inside the battery can build up
under the ice and cause an explosion.
Battery fluid contains acid that can burn
you. Do not get it on you. If you acciden-
tally get it in your eyes or on your skin,
flush the area with water and get medical
help immediately.
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191 Car care and technical information
Saab Trionic engine
management systemThe Saab Trionic engine management
system is a unique Saab development that
combines sequential multiport fuel injection,
electronic distributorless ignition and turbo-
charger boost pressure control into one sys-
tem.
The Trionic engine control module (ECM)
monitors many different engine parameters
such as:
 Intake manifold pressure
 Intake air temperature
 Crankshaft position
 Engine coolant temperature
 Throttle position and
 The oxygen content of the exhaust gases.
The ECM receives information regarding
engine knocking from a sophisticated feed-
back function in the ignition discharge unit.
By processing all of this information, the Tri-
onic system can control fuel injector open-
ing duration, ignition timing and turbo-
charger boost pressure to provide excellent
engine performance while maintaining low
emissions and fuel consumption.
ORVR (Onboard Refueling Vapor
Recovery)Hydrocarbon vapors formed when refueling
will be recovered by the car and not
released into the atmosphere. The hydro-
carbons are absorbed in a evaporative
emission canister. When the engine is sub-
sequently started, the evaporative emission
canister is gradually purged as air is sucked
into it through a shut-off valve. The hydro-
carbon/air mixture passes through the evap
canister purge valve and into the engine
where it is burned.
When refueling, make sure you screw the
filler cap on and keep turning until it has
clicked at least 3 times. Otherwise, it is pos-
sible for the CHECK ENGINE light to illumi-
nate.
Refueling, see page 146.
NOTICEThe Trionic engine management system
continuously monitors the operation of
these systems and has on-board diag-
nostic capabilities (OBD II).
If the ”Service Engine Light also known as
CHECK ENGINE” lamp in the main
instrument illuminates, this indicates that
the Trionic ECM has detected a problem.
The car will continue to operate, but per-
formance may be diminished. You should
have your car checked by a Saab dealer
as soon as possible.
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202 Car care and technical informationChanging bulbs
Check that the new bulb is working when
finished.
Use only "Long Life" bulbs.
Headlight aiming, see page 248.
Xenon headlight3Xenon headlights produce roughly twice as
much light as halogen bulbs and have a sig-
nificantly longer service life.
The lamp units consist of a gas discharge
lamp containing xenon. When the lights are
switched on a very high voltage activates
the xenon gas. The lamps soon reach full
intensity.
Cars with xenon headlights have automatic
levelling. The levelling system comprises
two sensors, one on the front axle, one on
the rear axle and a control unit under each
of the two headlight housings. Headlight
alignment is regulated automatically to pre-
vent dazzling oncoming traffic. Alignment is
also adjusted during braking.
WARNING
Before changing a bulb in the engine bay,
switch off the engine to avoid danger of
fingers and hands being injured by
moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.
Xenon headlights3 are high voltage
and must therefore be changed at a
workshop. We recommend that you
contact an authorized Saab work-
shop. Work involving high-voltage
components is potentially lethal.NOTICE Since the headlight lenses are made
of plastic, rinse dried-on dirt with
water and allow it time to soften up
before cleaning the lenses. Avoid
rubbing the lenses when dry and
never use solvents.
 Use de-icer spray instead of scraping
the ice off.
NOTICE Do not fit bulbs with a higher rating
than 55 W, since the headlight reflec-
tor and the wiring of the car are not
designed for a higher wattage.
 Switch off the ignition before chang-
ing a bulb, to avoid possible short-cir-
cuiting.
 Do not touch the glass of the bulbs
with your fingers. The oil on your skin
can shorten the life of the bulb.
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215 Car care and technical information
Maxi fusesThe Maxi fuses are housed in the fuse box
under the hood. These fuses can be
checked in the same way as the other fuses.
The Maxi fuses are designed to protect the
car’s electrical system from being dam-
aged. Each Maxi fuse protects a number of
electrical circuits and functions and there-
fore has a higher rating (amperage) than the
standard fuses. No spare Maxi fuses are
supplied with the car.
DICE / TWICEDICE = Dashboard Integrated Central Elec-
tronics
TWICE = Theft-Warning Central Electronics
DICE and TWICE are electronic control
modules that monitor and control a variety
of functions:
DICE controls (among other things):
 Front lights and interior lighting
 Instrument illumination
 Intermittent wiper operation
 Electric heating of rear window and door
mirrors
 Cooling fansTWICE controls (among other things):
 Central locking.
 Car alarm (Anti-theft system)
 Engine immobilizer
 Autochecking of lights.
 Electric heating of rear seat
 Safety belt reminder
 Electrically adjustable passenger seat
The DICE and TWICE control modules are
linked to a data bus, which is basically an
information carrier that allows information to
be exchanged between all the control mod-
ules and components connected to the bus.
If a fault occurs in any of these components,
diagnostic faults codes are set in the rele-
vant control module, which facilitates fault
diagnosis. We recommend that you contact
an authorized Saab dealer.
The scan tool connector for fault diagnosis
is located under the instrument panel on the
drivers side.
NOTICEIf a Maxi fuse blows, it means that there is
a major fault in the electrical system.
Have the car checked without delay by a
workshop. We recommend that you con-
tact an authorized Saab dealer.
IB1795
Maxi fuses under the hood 95_US_MY09.book Page 215 Tuesday, April 15, 2008 11:03 AM
ProCarManuals.com

248 Car care and technical informationRecovery and/or
recycling of automotive
materialsInformation on the scrapping and recycling
of car materials is available on
www.saab.com.
Headlight aimingThe vehicle has a visual optical headlight
aiming system equipped with vertical
aiming device. The aim has been preset at
the factory and should normally not need
further adjustments.
If your headlights are damaged in a crash,
the headlight aim may be affected. If you
believe your headlights need to be
re-aimed, we recommend that you take it to
your Saab dealer for service, however, it is
possible for you to re-aim your headlights as
described in the following procedure.To check the aim, the vehicle should be
properly prepared as follows:
 The vehicle shall be placed so that the
headlights are 25 ft (7.6 m) from a light
colored wall or other flat surface. The
aiming area should be darkened, this will
improve your ability to see the beam of the
low beam headlight being aimed.
 The vehicle must have all four wheels on
a perfectly level surface which is level all
the way to the wall or other flat surface.
 The vehicle should be placed so it is
perpendicular to the wall or other flat
surface.
 The vehicle should be unloaded and fuel
tank full, and one person or 160 lbs.
(75 kg) on the drivers seat.
WARNING
Before checking/adjusting the headlight
aiming, switch off the engine to avoid
danger of fingers and hands being injured
by moving parts.
The radiator fan can start up even when
the engine is switched off.NOTICETo make sure that your headlights are
aimed properly read all instructions
before beginning. Failure to follow these
instructions could cause damage to
headlight parts or a not correctly aimed
headlight.
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267 Index
Index
AA/C system, fault diagnosis
________ 245
A/C system, maintenance _________ 244
ABS brakes
____________________ 160
ACC
__________________________ 79
ACC functions
___________________ 82
ACC, automatic climate control
______ 79
ACC, calibration
_________________ 86
ACC, condensation water
__________ 86
ACC, useful tips
_________________ 86
AUX input
_____________________ 104
Adjustable systems
______________ 265
Adjusting the steering wheel
_______ 114
Adjustment, seats
________________ 18
Air conditioning (A/C), fault diagnosis
and maintenance ______________ 244
Airbag
_________________________ 29
Alarm __________________________ 50
Alarm functions
__________________ 53
Alarm signals
________________ 50
, 53
Album information
_______________ 104
Alternator
_____________________ 199
Alternator drive belt
__________ 199
, 260
Alternator rating
________________ 260
Antennas
______________________ 109
Anticorrosion treatment
___________ 246
Antidazzle rear-view mirror
________ 121
Anti-skid
______________________ 163Autochecking of lights on starting
____ 64
Auto-dimming rear-view mirror with
garage door opener
____________ 118
Automatic climate control (ACC)
_____ 79
Aviod theft, tip
__________________ 166
BBattery
________________________ 197
Battery charging/replacing
________ 197
Battery, boost starting
____________ 184
Before a long journey ____________ 247
Before towing a camper or trailer
___ 177
Belt guide
______________________ 12
Boost starting using jump leads
____ 184
Brake and clutch fluid
____________ 194
Brake-fluid reservoir
_____________ 194
Brakes, technical data ____________ 261
Bulbs, changing
_________________ 202
Bulbs, table of
__________________ 213
Buying new tires ________________ 223
CCD changer
____________________ 100
CHECK messages
_______________ 71
CHECKING
_____________________ 71
Car alarm
______________________ 50
Car care
______________________ 187
Cargo net, 9-5 SportCombi
________ 137
Carpeting, care of
_______________ 241Catalytic converter, important
considerations
_________________ 145
Central locking ___________________ 44
Change language in SID
___________ 72
Change of address notification
_____ 254
Changing a wheel
_______________ 237
Changing bulbs
_________________ 202
Changing wiper blades
___________ 200
Charge mobile phone
____________ 126
Charger/Jump starting ____________ 186
Charging the battery/Jump starting
__ 186
Chassis number
________________ 264
Checks before towing a camper or
trailer
________________________ 177
Child safety
_____________________ 22
Child safety locks, rear doors
_______ 47
Cleaning, engine bay
_____________ 243
Clock
_________________________ 105
Color code, body
________________ 264
Color code, trim _________________ 264
Compact spare wheel
____________ 235
Compass
______________________ 122
Condensation water, ACC
__________ 86
Connecting a portable player ______ 105
Coolant
_______________________ 193
Courtesy Headlight Feature
________ 74
Crash memory, see EDR
_________ 255
Cross modulation
_______________ 110
Cruise control
__________________ 159
Cup holder
_____________________ 128
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268 IndexDDICE/TWICE
___________________ 215
Date
_________________________ 105
Date code, tires
_________________ 231
Date display
___________________ 106
Definitions and terminology, tire
____ 229
Determining correct load, tires
_____ 231
Dim-dipped beam
________________ 73
Direction indicators _______________ 75
Diversity antenna
_______________ 109
Door handles
____________________ 44
Door mirrors ___________________ 116
Doors, locks & luggage compartment
_43
Drive belt
______________________ 260
Drive belt, alternator
_____________ 199
Drive belts, length
_______________ 260
Driver’s seat, programmable
________ 20
Driving at night
_________________ 179
Driving in hot weather
____________ 173
Driving with a load
_______________ 179
EEDR (Event Data Recorders)
______ 255
ESP®
________________________ 163
Electric heating of rear seat
________ 87
Electric windows
________________ 115
Electrical system, technical data
____ 260
Electrically retractable door mirrors _117
Electronic Stability Program
_______ 163Electronic starting interlock
_________ 49
Emergency operation of moonroof
__ 124
Emission control systems
_________ 190
Engine bay
____________________ 189
Engine bay, cleaning
_____________ 243
Engine number
_________________ 264
Engine oil, grade ________________ 260
Engine, description ______________ 192
Engine, technical data ____________ 260
Engine, temperature gauge
_________ 66
Engine-oil level, checking
_________ 192
Error codes, Audio System ________ 112
Event Data Recorders (EDR) ______ 255
Expansion tank, coolant
__________ 193
FFilling a portable fuel container
_____ 148
Flat spots, tires
_________________ 222
Fluid level, automatic transmission
__ 193
Foldable door mirrors
____________ 117
Folding the parcel shelf,
9-5 SportCombi
________________ 133
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 Sedan
____ 129
Folding the rear seat, 9-5 SportCombi
132
Frequency band
_________________ 93
Frequently asked questions on airbag

40
Front fog lights
__________________ 76
Frost warning
___________________ 68
Fuel
__________________________ 146
Fuel consumption
________________ 68Fuel container
__________________ 148
Fuel gauge
_____________________ 65
Fuel grade _____________________ 260
Fuel information
_________________ 148
Fuse box under hood
____________ 218
Fuse panel
_____________________ 214
Fuses
_________________________ 214
GGarage door opener
_____________ 118
Gearbox number
________________ 264
Gearbox oil, checking
____________ 193
General functions
_______________ 105
Glove compartment ______________ 126
HHandbrake
_____________________ 165
Hazard warning lights
_____________ 76
Head restraint
___________________ 21
Headlight flasher _________________ 73
Headlights
______________________ 73
Heated front seats
________________ 87
Hood
_________________________ 188
Horn __________________________ 114
IIf a tire goes flat
_________________ 226
Ignition switch
__________________ 140
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