| Author |  Topic  |
GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts |  Posted - 16 May 2021 : 17:44:35  
| Well looks like Joe guessed the solution. I took the ignition switch off and cleaned it as specified by Joe. Took it out this afternoon between downpours and it never missed a beat! So fingers crossed I'm hoping that will solve the problem, will try a longer run if the rain stops long enough - my back window leaks!
Thanks Joe.
Apologies for the delay we have been up to Scotland for a few days as we missed out on our annual Mull visit last year. Just love the roads, the wildlife and the stunning scenery on that island. First went there servicing for a 96 on the Mull Stages in 2008 and have been back many times since. The whisky is good too!!!! |  |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 17 May 2021 : 08:37:39
| Glad to hear this seems fixed! Apologies for sending you down a dead end with the earth wire...
www.saabv4.com | |
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GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts | Posted - 17 May 2021 : 12:33:00
| | No problem Melle it probably needed doing anyway. | |
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EdinburghJoe
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
162 Posts | Posted - 18 May 2021 : 11:12:27
| Fingers crossed it works - these intermittent problems are real s*ds to sort out - you never know if you've fixed it, or it's just waiting for the right awkward / dangerous point to fail again.
I do take care of the ignition switch by switching the headlights on after starting the engine, and off before stopping it. That way the ignition switch itself is never making or breaking the lighting circuit, which should keep any sparking to the light switch rather than the ignition switch.
Good luck!
Joe |
Edited by - EdinburghJoe on 18 May 2021 11:13:55 | |
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GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts | Posted - 18 May 2021 : 12:21:06
| | Thanks Joe hopefully it will behave itself, time will tell! | |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 18 May 2021 : 14:14:02
| quote:
Originally posted by EdinburghJoe
I do take care of the ignition switch by switching the headlights on after starting the engine, and off before stopping it. That way the ignition switch itself is never making or breaking the lighting circuit, which should keep any sparking to the light switch rather than the ignition switch.
I was thinking about this, but I don't think I understand it. What might cause any potential sparking?
www.saabv4.com | |
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GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts | Posted - 18 May 2021 : 17:58:12
| | Shouldn't be too higher current going through the ignition switch should there? | |
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melle
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
3833 Posts | Posted - 18 May 2021 : 18:06:40
| That's what I was thinking, the headlights are switched through a relay.
www.saabv4.com | |
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EdinburghJoe
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
162 Posts | Posted - 24 May 2021 : 14:25:25
| Interesting… I just assumed that the relay was to control the full beam because the full beam selector on the indicator stalk is not a conventional switch, and you can tell it’s a relay because when you activate it you hear the mechanical clunk it makes. The actual lights switch is a conventional switch, and so I always thought it just controlled the lights directly- there’s no clunking when the lights go on and off.
I must admit I’ve always just assumed this and never checked it (never had need to) so I could be just plain wrong.
Joe. | |
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GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts | Posted - 24 May 2021 : 19:10:20
| | There's 3 relays on the Sonett so I assumed one was for main beam, one for dip and the other for the auxiliaries. When I fitted my extra Hella driving lights I had to replace one of the relays. Couldn't get another round hella relay like the originals so I got a plastic one and it fitted nicely in the old metal case of the original. I was pleased with that! | |
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andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts | Posted - 24 May 2021 : 20:52:46
| Joe.
Headlights are most definitely switched through the large silver relay on the bulkhead. When you flick the light switch, you can hear the relay clicking. Put your hand on it, get someone to switch the lights on, and you can feel the relay operating.
If you have spotlights on your car make sure that they are also switched through a separate relay. Never put all that current through the switch, or the existing relay.
Andy
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro | |
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GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts | Posted - 24 May 2021 : 23:54:55
| | Andy, the Sonett doesn't have the big relay like the 96 but as mentioned in my last post has 3 small ones. I'm sure you are right though the headlights will not be directly wired through the switch. In the case of the Sonett III the switch is a simple micro-switch triggered by pulling the long lever which operates a bell crank to pop up the headlights. That was something else I had to replace on mine. | |
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EdinburghJoe
V4 Fan
United Kingdom
162 Posts | Posted - 25 May 2021 : 12:01:27
| | I'm pleased to be corrected - thanks all (and it's good news for the ignition switch too if it's not having to pass all that current!) | |
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andydeans3
V4 Guru
United Kingdom
2016 Posts | Posted - 25 May 2021 : 15:49:20
| quote:
Originally posted by GeoffC
Andy, the Sonett doesn't have the big relay like the 96 but as mentioned in my last post has 3 small ones. I'm sure you are right though the headlights will not be directly wired through the switch. In the case of the Sonett III the switch is a simple micro-switch triggered by pulling the long lever which operates a bell crank to pop up the headlights. That was something else I had to replace on mine.
Geoff.
Ah, I see. I know nowt about Sonetts!
1978 LHD SAAB 96
1978 MGB Roadster
2008 LHD "Classic" Renault Twingo
1991 Nissan Figaro | |
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GeoffC
V4 Mad
United Kingdom
507 Posts | Posted - 22 Aug 2021 : 11:50:02
| Latest update on this saga which is really annoying me now! The intermittent cut out came back and so I ordered a new Acuspark system to replace the old one. After fitting couldn't get a spark at all so checked the coil. Found the primary circuit open instead of a small resistance so thought finally I have found the culprit. Picked up a new coil and fitted it yesterday and connected a strobe to set the timing. Got one flash off the strobe then nothing. Have changed the plug leads and now ordered good old points and condenser to see if going back to basics will work. I will also change dizzy cap and rotor arm once I can find any although there doesn't appear to be anything wrong with either. Went and tried again this morning and got a solitary flash out of the strobe again???!!! All ideas welcome and considered as I now have a completely dead Sonett - really foxed me this time, never been defeated by a V4 problem before but....!!
There is still 12 volt supply to the coil and continuity on all the wires to and from the Acuspark and plug leads which I got from Malbrads. Tried the old leads - no difference. I'm either missing something obvious or it's come out in sympathy with the 2 other Saabs immobilised on my drive - Saab 9-3x broken spring, sons 900 Carlsson awaiting serious welding. Not good. | |
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| Topic | |
Intermittent ignition cut out
