DIC replacement, everyone is on backorder with SAAB

[Jacob Ilkka]

Anybody know where I can get a good replacement for my direct ignition cassette? All the places I've tried have it on backorder with SAAB.

[rpiereck]

One for sale on eBay for $88 Buy It Now. Seller has small rating but it's 100% positive: SAAB 9-3 900 DIC Direct Ignition Cassette Red Date Code 0618 Part No. 55561132 | eBay

A few others: saab ignition | eBay

[nordwulf]

those red ones are not compatible with the 9-5.

eEuroparts shows they have them ready to ship but I assume you already checked that site.

[rpiereck]

That's right. I am so used to the red one on my NG900 I forgot about the Trionic 7 on the 9-5. If eEuroparts doesn't have then available for shopping there are loss of black ones on eBay too.

[Tweek's Turbos]

Rock auto has BeckArnley branded ones for $150.
More Information for BECK/ARNLEY 1788418

[IndpMind]

I asked this question on SaabCentral but never got a response............what is the difference other than price, between the Genuine Saab brand DIC on the other aftermarket ones out there? Is there a quality difference, a "where it's made" difference, etc. etc.? Spending 4-500.00 on one, v.s. half that or more on another, w/
similiar constuction seems like a no brainer. Otherwise I would go for the Eeuroparts one, if I knew it would last longer for sure.

[rpiereck]

There are some cheap no-name Chinese copies sold on eBay that are apparently pure crap, most likely failed some quality test at bthe factory and don't get the brand name they would if they passed it. Then there are brand name ones that are probably made in China too that pass quality tests and stuff and will probably last well, like Beck Arnley, etc. Stick to a known brand.

One thing too, when you get a brand new DIC and install it, don't start the car right away. Let it sit for a while, half an hour, maybe an hour. There is oil inside the DIC, the purpose of which is to aid in internal cooling. If your DIC has been stored sideways or upside down in a warehouse somewhere the oil could not have been where it should. So let it sit in the engine for a while so the oil gets to where it needs to be, then start the car. The last thing you want is to overheat a brand new DIC, then you will be back here saying "XXX brand is crap because my brand new DIC only lasted a week".

[IndpMind]

Agreed. I read up on the DIC issues when I changed my plugs awhile back. Don't lay it down, keep it upright. I have 101K on my car and I would assume it's original.
I have no starting, running issues to speak of, and hopefully I'll get a hint when it starts going bad. I'd like to just get one to have as a spare like most do, but
I really don't want to part w/that kind of dough right now. This is a wear and tear item yes, but if I can get some more miles out of it ( one guy went 150K) the
better. And I do take care of the car religiously btw.

[rpiereck]

I have a spare DIC that has been just gathering dust for over a year and a half. I bought it just as insurance when I lived in Alaska as SAAB parts are hard to come by there. Hopefully I have never needed it. From what I understand DICs will throw CELs and codes when they go back, it's not like a CPS that will just quit and leave you stranded. Yet it's better to just have it and not needed than the opposite.

[Jacob Ilkka]

Should've hopped back on here after I found a replacement at eEuroParts. Right after I gave up looking for a couple days, I got an email from them saying that they had a new supplier join them, ProParts Sweden. Anyway, purchased a replacement DIC for $300-something, came with 4 new NGK plugs and Loctite dielectric grease. Also had to get a new turbo, everywhere was on back order as well on those, wound up buying an off-brand one from Turbocharger Pros. We'll see how it works out.
So it appears that as of the 12th:
SaabUSAParts.com has been chosen to officially represent Saab as an offical North American parts distribution / retail operation.

Too bad I only found that out now... seems I could've gotten a genuine DIC after all.
Oh well, I'll just use the ProParts DIC till it dies. The car has been sitting at the shop for a month, as I told them I would buy the parts...