2003+ Saab 9-3 O2 Sensor Replacement

[@CJBrown3000]

I can never understand how you make a video at the perfect time for me to do the same procedure in the next few days. This is fantastic!

[@lorddiablo8575]

That means you're a very lucky person .... so keep on follow him ! Last year, I had replaced both up & down stream oxygen sensor which costed me over $600- for my 2006 9-3. If he made this video one year earlier, I could have saved $500- ! !

[@AutoAutopsy]

lol thanks! happy to have been "blessed" with the same issue as you

[@NEWJohnLennon]

I hear there’s this great channel that is on hiatus from their hit series “Struggling Through Super Mario 64”. You should hit him up and try to collab. I can already smell the greatness that would be cooked up from you two!

[@AutoAutopsy]

omggggg

[@stevenlopez6682]

This is THE channel for car guys like myself 😏

[@AutoAutopsy]

:')

[@Kane22x]

I did the same as you…I’ve got a 2006 saab 9-5 B235R and it was crap…what I did was just clean the old 02 sensor with orange oil…it worked a treat.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for the tip!

[@BrandonRdzOrt]

Bro, you are amazing, I was looking to get a solution for this problem and you save me. Greetings from Mexico!

[@AutoAutopsy]

Glad I could help :)

[@rezaq1]

I change these pre-cat lambdas as a matter of course whenever I get a Saab. Both my 2005 9-3 Aero and 2010 9-5 Aero HOT have both had Bosch pre-cat lambda sensors as part of my maintenance

[@AutoAutopsy]

interesting, thanks for sharing

[@paulhopkuns1118]

Sorry to hear that this happened to you and that the 03 model is different to the latter year models for this part. Expensive part the OEM sensor. Hoping that it is the O2 sensor and not the ECU. Keep us informed on how the new "03 " sensor goes and if the error code goes away and the problem is fixed.

[@AutoAutopsy]

will do! thanks

[@carlosdelgado6225]

does a fail o2 sensor cause high idile and egine light to come on, i check all the vaccum line has no leaks

[@carlosdelgado6225]

and need to know how high the idile gauge should be,

[@benwillard2673]

Hello ,huge fan of your videos. Can you do one on changing a camshaft position sensor? I have a 2003 93 Vector. Thanks.

[@kaisertrinityt.m.i.s1607]

hello guys and a happy new year. for start for the new year i have an important question. i might gonna buy a SAAB 9000 Aero (1996 2l hardturbo) and i would like to know first, do the 2l hardturbo versions have the 2 balance shafts in the engine like the 2,3l version and do they need a rebuild after 200 000km? and what do you think about the replacement parts market for the 9000? is it ok in your opinion?

[@AutoAutopsy]

i really don't know the answer on that. id ask some specialized saab facebook groups

[@kaisertrinityt.m.i.s1607]

@@AutoAutopsy its alright, i didnt bought it in the end (i found out that the tachometer was manipulated) i stay with my VW Golf IV and my SAAB 900 Aero.

[@leomejia7414]

I have a 2008 saab 9-3 2.0t recently it’s been running really rough sometimes it misfires a shit load and my car has not started twice now. It popped up a code P0134. Idk what to do pls help

[@AutoAutopsy]

Search the code on google and try posting on some Saab Facebook groups for assistance

[@cinrambrad]

My sticker arrived in the mail.... .THANKS

[@AutoAutopsy]

Awesome 😁👍🏼

[@klaspeppar5619]

I replaced the “front” O2 sensor on my fathers V70 Bi-Fuel, i tried to use one of those “O2 sensor sockets”, but the O2 sensor was stuck and the socket wasn’t ridged enough, so it would bend under load and slip. So I ended up using a “Crow foot” instead. You should have torqued it to spec.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for the tip

[@patriksonestad8208]

It is pretty unusual for the O2 sensor to go bad, unless you have been running dodgy fuel which can foul the sensor. I've had quite a few SAABs running original O2 sensors well above 200k miles with zero issues. Error codes related to the O2 sensor usually have completely other reasons, liks air leaks, both on the intake side, but also at the exhaust side. It is pretty common to act on the error code and replace the sensor, but as the right ones are pretty expensive most tend to cheap out and get some crappy aftermarket sensor and then all hell breaks loose. So, word of advice: before replacing the sensor, make sure every other option has been ruled out. Story from many years ago: I got a 3" exhaust and the car threw an O2 sensor error. As I was pretty green on cars back then, I did as the car told me and replaced the sensor with a very expensive SAAB OEM sensor. To my horror, it did not solve the problem. It took ages to figure out, but the real reason was that the 3" exhaust had a stupid design error that allowed air to be sucked in(!) at one of the joints and mess with the readings of the second O2 sensor after the catalytic converter, fooling the car to believe that the front O2 sensor was not doing its job correctly. Sealing the area where air got sucked in solved the problem.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for the information and tip! I always run top grade gas

[@Y-two-K]

Wow, thanks for the heads up. Guess I'll hold off on the O2 sensor and just bring my car into the euro shop (I've never been a very mechanically/car minded person). Worst case scenario, they'll just confirm it's the 02 sensor and maybe address a couple other minor things.

[@nickcarter3231]

The Downstream 02 sensor at the cat is a MASSIVE job to replace. I love Saab 9-3’s so easy to work on but the design on that downstream is by far the worst I’ve ever seen. You literally have to mount the engine up to unplug the connector it’s ridiculous. If anyone knows any cheats to the cat 02 sensor line to unplug the connector and re feed the new line let me know!

[@shikaka96]

I used the same sensor and it reads fine on the live data. Replaced it because why not I suppose. Kept the old one just in case. There is a downstream sensor listed in the live data but I don't see one, aside from the EGT sensor that is. Can anyone confirm this? I have a code for the EGT but I was wanting to try to get the ECU updated. However, the GM dealers around say its "too old" and "Don't have that anymore". HA! If 2003 is too old then I'm curious what they will say about my other vehicles. Thanks, and very informative video.

[@AutoAutopsy]

yep there's a second sensor; it's underneath

[@fernandorodriguez4527]

You have video for the rear one???

[@AutoAutopsy]

I do not unfortunately

[@Evocati-Augusti]

I have 2 P0135 codes, should i replace both sensors and the O2 Sensor heater relay/fuse? ...my car drives fine but I can't go over 90 MPH.

[@AutoAutopsy]

I’m not sure, sorry!

[@Evocati-Augusti]

@@AutoAutopsy lol I bought a dress kit of polished screws for the engine, I loosened the air filter box, and the code went away..

[@filip1997andersson]

Do the rear one too please impossible to find a video on it

[@AutoAutopsy]

saab wis probably has instructions!

[@focused200]

Hqve u tryed using a O2 Sensor cleaner for the time being untell u save for a oem one?

[@AutoAutopsy]

nah but i definitely will

[@MassiveTrackHunter]

2003 had a few oddities like that. I use rockauto for certain items. This one would be Denso 2344268, $35.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for the tip!

[@pjackson65]

I just checked Rock Auto and none of the "Economy" O2 sensors for '03 are much more than $50, with fancier ones around $70. I looked at a couple of them and they look like the one you pulled out.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for the tip, sounds about right

[@jjmvr6185]

What are the symptoms if the sensor starts to fail?

[@TheIainballantyne]

rough idle, misfires and knock, often without error codes, (for error codes to appear there has to be a high number of those within a short period) poor drivability, O2 sensors are significant measuring tools in the combustion process, directing the ecu.

[@AutoAutopsy]

^

[@MrFlotillla]

Talk to a reputable saab tuner or hit up the trionic forums and just tune the code out. Plus they can disable your SAI if you wanted.

[@AutoAutopsy]

thanks for the tip. my SAI is already tuned out ;)

[@lorddiablo8575]

Sorry to hear that this Oxygen sensor doesn't fix your 03, and you have to spend another $70 for another one ... But it still worth when compare to the OEM cost over $250- .... A smart move to save some $$$ and get the same repair result ! !

[@AutoAutopsy]

yep! :)

[@d4ve587]

Without disappointment you can't appreciate victory 🤣

[@AutoAutopsy]

lol this is true!!

[@TheIainballantyne]

Easy error to make, often misguided/confused by incorrect sales information. We live and learn. It's a good job to do as people forget/are ignorant to the massive significance the O2 sensors have in the smooth performance of the car.

[@AutoAutopsy]

yep :/ thanks!

[@pxdemar]

Hi SAAB friends. I'm a Swedish SAAB freak with Volvo brain... Anyway, when I got this code, after testing air pump and regular error search, I found the electrical relay for the secondary Air pump didn't connect properly in the socket, so after removal and cleaning, the error code was gone.

[@AutoAutopsy]

interesting, thanks for sharing!

[@shakalpb1164]

Dude pls buy the Bosch (OEM) Sensor, those cheap ones can kill a engine quickly

[@AutoAutopsy]

I ironically just installed a Bosch one (15036) last weekend. Usually I do not cheap out; 2003 OEM (from Saab) have a different PN from all other years, so I tried a shot in the dark with this one before I was aware that Bosch had a good alternative

[@axxisblack]

Just cut the wires on the old one and use normal socket

[@AutoAutopsy]

them im screwed in a case like this lmao

[@jasonwaltman3566]

Because Saab.

[@JonathanDiaz-vm5mb]

Soak the sensors in toilet cleaner and it will clean them 😅 thank me later

[@AutoAutopsy]

🤨

[@JonathanDiaz-vm5mb]

@@AutoAutopsy you’re welcome 😉