Look at this electrical mess!!

[rpiereck]

Today my front left speaker stopped working, so after I got home from a two hour drive I pulled the speaker grille off, found out there was no voltage. Then I pulled out my stereo. For the first time. Look at the mess I found!!!

Radio pulled out, looks like there are two or three aftermarket harness on top of each other. WTF!!!










So what I am looking at doing some time soon (very soon) is buy a bunch of good quality crimp on, quick release connectors and re-do the whole radio installation. First I need to find out the actual speaker wires, then the power and whatever else, and just get rid of junk. The way things are right now it's a likely candidate for a short circuit and a fire in my dash. Not good.

I found out the speaker that wasn't working was due to an electrical wire that had disconnected from a bad crimp job. I got that one fixed, so at least I have four speakers now. I also went through the whole spaghetti mess and made sure there were no exposed wires.

[Dave T]

The four buttons are completely different from my old 900.

From left to right, mine were: AC / air recirculation / (lighter) / rear defroster / hazard lights
I think some cars were: rear defroster / hazard lights / (lighter) / AC / air recirculation

However, your's seem to be:
can't see - maybe rear defroster / hazard lights / (lighter) / red button / extra

What is the red button? Forward launching missile?
What is extra? Rear facing oil slick release?

Consider taking some pictures of your car, especially the stickers. Those are probably different from the Saab 900 stickers in the U.S. Stickers were inside the driver's door and over the radiator cross member.

[rpiereck]

Yep, the first button is rear defroster. The EXTRA button manually turns on the radiator fan, I imagine for when driving uphill for long periods, the former owner drove the car to Switzerland a few times. The red light is not a button but a blank that had been drilled and fitted with a light for when the radiator fan is on, it's pretty bright, can be seen in daylight.

Reminds me of this:





Anyway, I am already half a step in front of you, I have started taking pictures of the stickers and placards on the car, here are the ones around the engine bay:





Belgian importer's plate, notice how some weight differ a few kilos from the factory's above


What is this one for?




And what is this one?


It's funny how this car has some labels in Swedish and English, others in English, German and French, and the Belgian importer's plaque is in English. The paperwork is similar, many different languages. The car comes from Belgium but the owner's manual (which is the original one, the previous owner tells me) is in German.

[Dave T]

The ABC 12345 plate is to record completed recalls and service campaigns, according to the 9 volume service manual that I used to have. The last blue plate is probably related to government approvals or certifications with E4 being the Netherlands, E5 Sweden, and E11 UK.

[peva]

Belgian importer's plate, notice how some weight differ a few kilos from the factory's above

Seems like a tank full of gas to me.

[rpiereck]

Yes probably!

[Badwolf]

Did you ever get the stereo issue figured out? I'll be replacing mine soon, but wish I wouldn't have to it in 109 degree heat. Any tips on what to look out for would be helpful.

[rpiereck]

No, not yet, it's in the list of things to do. Maybe next month. I don't listen to too much music when I drive so it's too much of an issue to me.