Saab 9-5 experts - help please.

[Tetleysmooth]

I've got this Saab 9-5 2.3 Arc. It's a January 2005 model

When I got it, the nearside headlight wasn't working at all. I've had a bash at it today and got the dipped beam working, but for the life of me, I can't get the main to work. They are normal H7 halogens, none of that Xenon business. Are the main and dipped beam bulbs different in any way? I've ordered a couple of new bulbs which specifically stated high beam bulbs, but the wattage is the same - 55w.

I've checked the fuses in the engine bay, and they're fine.

Is there anything else that could cause this?

Mods, I was going to put this in the 'Ask a Shiter' section, but I think I'll be asking many more questions about this car, so could I keep it as a normal thread please? Ta.

[twosmoke300]

There is a relay in the under bonnet fuse box that controls the lights , iirc its an orange one.

 

I think it affects the main beam tell tale too.

[gadgetgricey]

Are they Xenon's. Have you checked the relay under the bonnet.

Also make sure you restart the car

Mine failed. Replaced the relay on the way to the MOT station but they were still not working.
Car passed the MOT, and thought I'd got a dodgy ticket, but sure enough they were working.

if you can get the part number for the relay, I'll probably have a spare one that I can send you gratis (wont be till the weekend though)

 

[Shep Shepherd]

On a 9-5, the main and dipped beam headlight bulbs are identical, which is handy if one of the dipped beam bulbs fails on the road, as you can easily substitute it with its main beam counterpart 

[twosmoke300]

As well as being the easiest bulbs ever to change

[Tetleysmooth]

A member on the Saab forum suggested switching the relays around.

Come to think of it, I haven't noticed a main beam warning light on the dash.

[cpjitservices]

1 hour ago, twosmoke300 said:

As well as being the easiest bulbs ever to change

HA! thats a good joke lol

on my 95 I have to remove the battery and the battery tray to get into Main beam bulb on Passenger side.

[Tetleysmooth]

4 minutes ago, cpjitservices said:

HA! thats a good joke lol

on my 95 I have to remove the battery and the battery tray to get into Main beam bulb on Passenger side.

I took the headlight out. Not too bad a job actually.

[Tetleysmooth]

Main beam sorted. I had the big orange relay in the fuse/relay box after all, just wasn't looking for it yesterday.

I pulled it out, plugged it back in, and now all my lights work, including the high beam warning light on the dash. Nice cheap fix that.

[Shep Shepherd]

Fun fact: a lot of Saab 9-5 electrical problems can be cured by removing, cleaning, and refitting things.

In the case of faulty electric window and electric mirror switches, removing them, taking them apart, cleaning their internals then reassembling them can work wonders 

[Tetleysmooth]

Still haven't got the exhaust part though.

On the ebay ad, you are led to believe that the seller ships from a UK warehouse. Not true, these parts come from Poland and can take forever.

I still can't use the car, it's too loud. I was supposed to receive the flexi yesterday, but according to the couriers (GLS) website, they only deliver Monday to Friday.

Does anyone know if GLS have sub contractors that work on Saturday?