Morning struggle

the effect seems to have worn off. I have bought a replacement ignition control module, but I haven’t fitted it yet. I don’t think there is an issue with the fuel pump as it never lacks power when I’m driving. Dr Peter D Robinson I have owned almost 40 cars and been able to sort most problems, but my 2007 Saab 9-3 2.0 Linear Sport Anniversary has an issue I just can’t seem to fix. The car runs perfectly and can comfortably deal with my 170-mile daily commute. It had done 80,000 miles when I bought it and has now done 88,000.

While it drives really well and is quick and responsive, it seems to struggle to start first thing in the morning. Sometimes after starting it runs fine, and sometimes it’s a bit rough for the first couple of minutes. If I drive it during the daytime it starts perfectly and generally starts fine if it has been sitting at my workplace for eight hours, with just the occasional difficult start and rough running.

When I first bought the car, it produced an EML light that related to the coil packs, which was triggered under acceleration. I replaced the coil packs and haven’t had an EML light since. I replaced the spark plugs at the same time and checked they were correctly gapped. I recently renewed the fuel filter and that made a definite improvement for a short time, but The two most common problems that I have come across on the Saab 9-3 are related to either the coil packs or the crankshaft sensor. As you have dealt with the coil packs, I would replace the crankshaft sensor as a matter of course, if this has not previously been done.

Autodata says another common fault that can occur and matches your symptoms is often caused by the brake servo vacuum hose connector on the intake manifold becoming loose. The remedy is to remove the brake servo vacuum hose from the vacuum hose connector, then remove the vacuum hose connector from the intake manifold. The threads should be thoroughly cleaned before refitting the adaptor using a thread lock compound.