check engine light SAAB 9-5 2005 Owners Manual

53 Instruments and controls
This light will come on together with if
the engine oil pressure is dangerously low.
If the light flashes or comes on while you are
driving, stop the car, switch off the engine
and check the engine oil level (see
page 186).
This light will come on together with if
the battery is discharging. If it comes on
while you are driving, stop the car as soon
as possible and switch off the engine.
Check the alternator drive belt (see
page 194). If the belt has broken, the engine
may overheat (cooling system will not func-
tion properly), the battery will not be char-
ged, the A/C compressor will not run and
power assistance for the steering will be
lost.This light will come on together with if
there is insufficient brake fluid in the reser-
voir (see pages 189).
If the ABS warning light is on at the same
time, the ABS system may be inoperative
because of a fault (see ”Anti-lock brake war-
ning”, page 54).
Warning, oil pressure
(engine oil)
NOTICE
Under no circumstances must the car be
driven when this warning light is on. Low
oil pressure can result in serious engine
damage.
Warning, charging
Brake warning light
WARNING
Never drive the car when these warning
lights are on. Danger of brake failure!
Have the brake system checked at once
by an authorized Saab dealer.
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55 Instruments and controls
This light together with will come on if
a potentially serious fault has occurred in
the airbag system. The light will come on for about three
seconds when the ignition switch is turned
to the Start or Drive position. It should go out
after the engine has started.This light indicates a malfunction in the
fuel-injection or ignition system. The car
may still be driven with care and with
somewhat diminished performance (see
page 136).This light comes on when there is less than
about 2.5 gallons (10 liters) of fuel left in the
tank.
This light indicates that there is a message
in the Saab Information Display (SID). A
chime will also sound (see page 64).
Airbag warning light
WARNING
 If the airbag readiness light stays on
after you start your vehicle, it means
the airbag system may not be working
properly. One or more of the following
conditions may occur:
– Non-deployment of the airbags in the
event of a crash.
– Deployment of the airbags without a
crash.
– Deployment of the airbags in crashes
less severe than intended.
 To help avoid injury to yourself or
others, have your vehicle serviced
right away if the airbag readiness light
stays on after you start your vehicle.
Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)
WARNING
An illuminated ”Engine malfunction
(CHECK ENGINE)” indicator light indica-
tes an engine-related problem. While
your car may be able to be driven with the
”Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
indicator light illuminated (Limp-home
mode), you are advised to have your car
serviced at an authorized Saab dealer as
soon as possible.
Continued driving without this problem
being corrected might cause serious
further damage to your car and create
unsafe driving conditions. The driver
should be prepared to take action if such
unsafe conditions arise (e.g.brake
smoothly, engage neutral, stop in a suita-
ble place, switch off the engine, etc.).
NOTICEThe car should be checked immediately
at an authorized Saab dealer to prevent
more serious faults from arising.
Indicator, fuel
NOTICE
If the car runs out of fuel, air can be drawn
in with the fuel, which, in turn, can cause
the catalytic converter to be damaged by
overheating.
CHECK message indicator
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56 Instruments and controlsThis light shows when the cruise-control
system is active (see page 151).
This light shows when the headlights are on
high beam (see page 67).
This light shows when the rear fog light is on
(see page 68).
The rear fog light is switched off automat-
ically when the engine is switched off. When
the fog light is next needed, it will have to be
switched on manually again.
The rear fog light consists of one light so it
should not be mistaken for brake lights.This light indicates that there is a fault in the
Xenon headlight system, which consists of
xenon headlights and an automatic levelling
system.
If a fault arises in the Xenon headlight sys-
tem, the headlights will be angled down to
avoid impairing the vision of drivers in onco-
ming traffic. Adjust your speed accordingly
as visibility will be reduced.If a door has not been closed properly, the
pictogram will indicate the door concerned
(or tailgate).
This light will come on in cars with automatic
transmission when the S (SPORT) button
on the selector lever has been pressed
(position N or D) see page 150.
In this mode, the gear changes occur later,
at higher engine revs, giving the engine and
transmission a sportier feel.
To cancel the SPORT mode, press the S
button on the selector lever again. The
mode is also deselected automatically
w h e n t h e s e l e c t o r l e v e r i s m o v e d t o P , R , M
or L, or when the ignition is switched off.
Indicator, cruise control
Indicator, high beam
Indicator, rear fog light
Xenon headlight fault
indicator
(if equipped)
NOTICE
If the Xenon headlight fault indicator lights
up, have your car checked as soon as
possible at an authorized Saab dealer.
If you do not rectify the problem, nighttime
visibility will be poor since the range of the
headlights is reduced.
Indicator, open door
Indicator, SPORT-mode
automatic transmission
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57 Instruments and controls
On a car with an automatic transmission,
this warning symbol is illuminated if a fault
has been detected in the transmission.
Switch the ignition off and on again to check
if the fault persists.
Even if the fault persists, it is still possible in
most cases to drive the car (see page 146).
Have the automatic transmission checked
by an authorized Saab dealer as soon as
possible.
The indicator light goes on when the Elec-
tronic Stability Program is switched off with
the ESP-button.
IMPORTANT: the system is automatically
engaged every time the engine is started
(see page 155).
The indicator light also goes on when there
is a fault in the system. In this case the light
cannot be turned off by means of the ESP
button. If a fault is indicated, have the
system checked by an authorized Saab
dealer.
See also “Electronic Stability Program
(ESP) on page 155.The ESP indicator light is located in the
tachometer and will be illuminated when
ESP regulation is occurring, i.e. when there
is insufficient traction between the tires and
the road surface to provide the grip required
for the acceleration called for. The driver
can also sense that the engine is not
responding normally to the accelerator.
Operation of the ESP indicates reduced
traction between the tires and the road, and
that extra care should be taken by the driver.
In normal driving, the ESP will help to
improve both ride comfort and safety, but
must not be regarded as a system to enable
the driver to drive at or maintain a higher
rate of speed. The same precautions for
safe cornering and driving on slippery roads
must still be applied (see page 155).
Automatic transmission,
fault indicator
NOTICE
If the control module has actuated the
Limp-home function for the automatic
transmission, the car will remain in 5th
gear when D is selected, making it very
sluggish. To overcome this, select posi-
tion L to prevent unnecessary wear on the
transmission. The transmission then
starts in 2nd gear. When the car is moving
you can select position D.
When the indicator light is on, the car
must not be driven with a trailer attached.
Indicator ESP OFF
Indicator ESP
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58 Instruments and controlsAutochecking of lights,
main instrument panel The above warning and indicator lights
should come on when the ignition is swit-
ched on prior to starting. They should go out
after about 3 seconds.
The following lights light up until the engine
is started, presuming that no fault exists:
 Central warning light .
 Oil pressure warning light .
 Warning, charging .
InstrumentsTachometerThe tachometer indicates the engine speed
in thousands of revolutions per minute. The
needle may be allowed to enter the broken
red zone on the dial only for an instant.
A safety cut-out function (in the fuel system)
prevents the engine speed from exceeding
approximately 6,000 rpm.
Odometer and trip meter The odometer records the distance traveled
in miles on U.S. vehicles and on Canadian
vehicles the distance indicated is in kilome-
tres, and the trip meter in miles and tenths
(kilometres and tenths of kilometres on
Canadian vehicles). Reset button The reset button has two functions, determi-
ned by whether the ignition is ON or OFF.
 When the ignition is ON, pressing the
button will reset the trip meter.
 When the ignition is OFF, the display
lights up for 20 seconds enabling you to
read the odometer and trip meter. Pres-
sing the button a second time within these
20 seconds will reset the trip meter.
IB1922
IB340
IB341
1 Cars with automatic transmission
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59 Instruments and controls
Speedometer(U.S. speedometer shown)
The speedometer receives signals from the
wheel sensors in the ABS system.
If the NIGHT PANEL mode has been selec-
ted, the scale will be illuminated up to 87
mph (140 km/h). The remainder of the scale
will be illuminated if the speed of the car
exceeds 84 mph (135 km/h).
Fuel gauge Fuel-tank capacity, 18.5 US gal. (70 liters).
The fuel gauge shows the amount of fuel left
in the tank. When this is down to about
2.5 gal. (10 liters), a warning light on the
main instrument panel will come on (see
page 55).
Use the Saab Information display (SID) to
check the approximate distance that can be
traveled on the remaining fuel
(see page 61).
Temperature gauge The temperature gauge shows the tempe-
rature of the coolant. The needle should be
in the middle of the scale when the engine
is at normal operating temperature.
If the needle approaches the red zone,
which can occur in very hot weather or when
the engine is under a heavy load, drive in the
highest gear possible, keep the engine revs
low and avoid shifting down.
If the needle enters the red zone, the
warning light will come on and an alarm
chime will sound.
2030405060
70
80
90
100
110
120
130
140
150
160
240
260220200180160
140 120 100
80
60
40
20
10
IB1851
IB345
IB343
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65 Instruments and controls
The following messages may be displayed: 1) This message will be displayed approximately
600 miles (1,000 km) before the next scheduled
service is due, or when 365 days have elapsed
since the last service. The message should be
cleared at the time of that service (see the Saab
Warranties & Service Record Booklet).
This message can also be deleted by first briefly
pressing the CLEAR button, then depressing it a
second time for at least eight seconds until
”SERVICE” appears on the display and a chime
sounds. The message can only be deleted when
it is shown on the SID.
Night panelTo improve night-driving conditions inside
the car, the Night Panel mode can be selec-
ted. In this mode, the amount of information
displayed is reduced, and only the most
important instruments and displays will be
illuminated.
When the Night Panel button is pressed,
only the speedometer will be illuminated (up
to the 87-mph or 140-km/h graduation), all
the other instruments illumination being ext-
inguished and their needles moved to zero.
Both the SID and the ACC displays will be
extinguished and the backlighting for swit-
ches and other controls will be dimmed.
Note: All indicator and warning lights,
together with the display of CHECK messa-
ges, will operate as normal, except ”Out-
door temperature”, see page 62.The following conditions will wake up the
respective displays in the Night-Panel
mode:
 Setting of the Audio system, SID or ACC
(display comes on for ten seconds).
 CHECK message generated in the SID.
 High engine revs cause the rev counter to
be illuminated until the engine speed has
fallen again.
 If the quantity of fuel remaining falls below
4 gallons (15 liters), the fuel gauge will be
illuminated.
 If the engine temperature rises above nor-
mal, the temperature gauge will be illumi-
nated.
 If the speed of the car exceeds 84 mph
(135 km/h), the entire speedometer will
be illuminated.
 In cars with automatic transmission, if the
selector lever is moved from D to position
M or L, the selector indication on the main
instrument panel will be illuminated.
To restore the displays and lighting to the
normal mode, press the Night-Panel button. Message See
page
Fog light failure. 198
Rear light failure. 203
Brake light failure. 203
Washer fluid level low.
Refill. 196
Coolant level low.
Refill. 188
Remote control battery
low. Replace battery. 41
Key not accepted.
Contact service. 48
Theft protection failure.
Contact service. 48
Gearbox too hot.
Make a safe stop. 146
Time for ser vice.
1)
246
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132 Starting and drivingIgnition switchThe combined ignition switch and gear-
lever lock is located in the center console
between the front seats. The ignition key
can only be removed when reverse is
engaged (automatic transmission: selector
in ”P” position).
The key fits all the locks on the car. The key
number is specified on the small plastic
strap that comes with the keys when the car
is delivered. Keep a note of the key number
in a safe place, as you will need to quote it if
ordering a replacement key.
See also page 38.
LOCK position Engage reverse and turn the key to LOCK.
Automatic transmission: select ”P”.
The gear lever is locked. This is the only position in which the key can be
removed.
The parking lights, hazard warning lights and interior lighting all work. OFF position Gear lever no longer locked.
Certain electrical circuits operationalON position All electrical circuits working.
Do not leave the key in the ON position
when the engine is not running.
Turn the key to OFF to switch off the
electrical circuits. In the ON position certain warning and indicator lights
come on as a check, and they normally are extinguished after about
3 seconds.
ST (starter) position The starter operates when the key is turned to this position. When
released, the key will spring back to the ON position. If the engine fails to
start, the key must first be turned back to the position between OFF and
LOCK before the starter can be operated again.
When the starter motor is running, several electrical circuits are
disconnected to facilitate starting.
LOCK
OFFONST
LOCK
OFFONST
LOCK
OFFONST
LOCK
OFFONST
IB1120
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135 Starting and driving
Useful tips on cold climate
startingIf the engine has failed to start after several
attempts in very cold weather, press and
hold the accelerator down to the floor and
run the starter for 5–10 seconds. This will
prevent the engine being flooded (exces-
sively rich fuel-air mixture).
Now start the engine in the normal way – do
not touch the accelerator.
If the engine stalls immediately after starting
(e.g. if the clutch was released too quickly),
do not touch the accelerator when restarting
the engine.
Limp-home modeThe engine management system has a
diagnostic feature that continually checks a
number of internal functions. If, for example,
a fault is detected in the throttle valve, the
engine management system will go into
Limp-home mode.This limits idling control,
disables the cruise-control system and
limits the capacity of the A/C compressor.
If the limp-home mode is in operation
(”Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
light on, see below) and the outside temper-
ature is close to or below freezing, you may
need to use some throttle on starting (some
pressure on the accelerator).
If the diagnostic system has detected a fault
in the engine-management system, the
”Engine malfunction (CHECK ENGINE)”
light on the main instrument panel will
come on (see page 55), indicating that you
should have the car checked as soon as
possible by an authorized Saab dealer.
NOTICEIf the CHECK ENGINE warning light
starts to flash, ease off the accelerator
slightly. If the light does not cease to flash
within 5 seconds, stop the car in a suita-
ble place as soon as possible and turn off
the engine. The car must be towed to an
authorized Saab dealer.
If the CHECK ENGINE warning light flas-
hes, it indicates that the engine is misfi-
ring which can result in damage to the
catalytic converter.
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136 Starting and drivingImportant
considerations for
drivingThe engine-management system in the
Saab 9-5 is called Saab Trionic T7. The
system manages the ignition, fuel injection
and turbo boost pressure.
The Trionic T7 system developed by Saab
is an intelligent engine-management
system designed to achieve optimum driv-
ability under differing driving conditions.
The system makes adjustments automati-
cally, for instance, if the car is being driven
at altitude (oxygen-deficient air), for differ-
ent grades of fuel (AON 87–93) and for dif-
ferent load conditions.
1 Starting and driving
 Refrain from using full throttle before
the engine has warmed up (before
needle in mid-range on temperature
gauge).
 A safety function prevents the engine
from revving faster than 6,000 rpm by
limiting the induction air.
2 Stopping the engine
 Do not rev the engine immediately
before switching it off – stop the engine
when it is idling.
3 Regulating the boost pressure
 One of the advantages of boost pres-
sure regulation is that the engine can
also be run safely on gasoline with a
lower octane rating, although not lower than AON 87. However, engine perfor-
mance will fall slightly and heavy load-
ing and laboring should be avoided. For
optimum performance, use the recom-
mended grade of fuel.
 The maximum boost pressure is adjus-
ted automatically to the knocking or
pinging tendency of the engine. Occa-
sional, short-lived knocking when the
engine is under a heavy load is per-
fectly normal; the extent will depend on
the grade of fuel in the tank.
 Isolated instances of knocking are
more likely to occur with low-octane
fuel. This controlled form of knocking,
followed by a reduction in the boost
pressure, is a sign that the wastegate is
functioning and is perfectly safe for the
engine.

NOTICE If the engine sounds strange there is a
fault in the system. Have the car
checked without delay by an authori-
zed Saab dealer.
 The use of fuel with too low an octane
rating can cause serious engine
damage.
WARNING
If the engine is being run with the car on a
rolling road or dynamometer, longer than
for a standard state emission inspection,
to ensure adequate cooling, air must be
blown into the engine compartment and
under the car at a rate equivalent to the
ram-air effect that would be obtained at
the corresponding road speed.
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