1996 SAAB 900 SE Brakelight Failure SID info
- stalls in reverse etc.
The problem lies with the grounding point in the left rear body cavity on the floor, see the diagram.
Rust eventually destorys the ground and the car will not run in reverse nor do the backup lignts or the rear hatch defroster work amongst other things
Re-attach the grounding wire to an existing welded stud on the side body panel and the problem is solved.
Testimonial: "Thank you, I did locate that ground prior to your answer. Note it was necessary to relocate the ground due to excessive rust of that area. Thanks"
Many thanks the diagram helped to confirm the location of the earth point. It is in the same place on my SAAB 900SE Convertible, but buried under the CD autochanger in the boot.
Notwe that the effects of the poor earth were similar, but affected the indicators too and generally confused all of the rear lights. The console showed a Brake light failure message and the dash lights kept fading and the doors wouldn't lock.
I would just like to say thank you cleaning and remounting to the side wall worked for me i spent days trying to fix this problem and your solution fixed my car. You are a life saver.
I have a 96 Saab 900 S, 2.3, auto that had the following symptoms: no cruise, no rear wiper, no rear defrost, no brake lights, no front fog lights, stalling in reverse, erratic idle, dim dash light, pulsing headlights. The ground in the driver side rear boot area, under the carpet, near the tail light and power antennae was completely rotted off! I extended the wire with a butte connector and added a heavy duty ring terminal to the end. I grounded it using the power antennae mount bolt and zip tied it to another wire harness. Viola! Problems solved! Thanks guys!
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I would just like to say thank you cleaning and remounting to the side wall worked for me i spent days trying to fix this problem and your solution fixed my car.
You are a life saver.
I have a 96 Saab 900 S, 2.3, auto that had the following symptoms: no cruise, no rear wiper, no rear defrost, no brake lights, no front fog lights, stalling in reverse, erratic idle, dim dash light, pulsing headlights. The ground in the driver side rear boot area, under the carpet, near the tail light and power antennae was completely rotted off! I extended the wire with a butte connector and added a heavy duty ring terminal to the end. I grounded it using the power antennae mount bolt and zip tied it to another wire harness. Viola! Problems solved! Thanks guys!
Likely there is a short circuit in the bulb socket of one of the bulbs that does not turn on
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Thanks for the info. After doing extensive searching I did locate that ground prior to your help. It was necessary to relocate the ground to better material as the rust was extensive enough that cleaning the area still didn't provide acquit grounding. Once the new ground was in place, the problem was solved, Thanks again for your insite.
Wow DBert, thank you for the solution. I had this exact same problem. My local auto parts store kept trying to get me to buy and replace different parts. They even suggested replacing the spark plugs and wires. My car does not use spark plug wires! Found the rusted bolt in the trunk and remounted it higher up onto the frame. All is good again. Thank You!!!!!
Just had the same problem on 1999 9-3. Bad ground
I have a 1998 Saab 900S, which had the same symptoms. The display read "Rear Brakelight Failure" and the "Rear Fog Light" symbol would always be lit up. Also the car would not work in Reverse at all, as soon as I put it in, it would shut down. Found the Rusted Ground under the CD Changer in the Boot, and fixed that. Now the car works fine. THANK YOU VERY MUCH!
same issue on a 2000 93, started as break light failure, then would stall when put in reverse, all bulbs on but dim, rusted ground. never would have found it by myself , Thank you
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