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Saab: cold starting, SAAB Idle Control Valve


Question
Even in warm weather when I start my 1990 saab 900 from a cold start or sitting for a couple of hours I have to put my foot on the gas to start it or it will stall. Once it is running it runs fine. I worry about the upcoming fall and winter. Can you help me with possible causes? Thank you

Answer
David:
 The most likely cause is a faulty "AIC" (Automatic Idle Control" unit. This, with temperature and other inputs, automatically provides for the cold start fast idle that you are now producing.There were several variants of this valve...yours should be a 2-wire (LH 2.4) version.[BOSCH No. 0 280 140 516].
 This is a rotary variable aperture valve driven by a pulse width modulated (PWM) digital signal...with the engine running, you should hear it "buzzing" by holding a long screwdriver to it and to your ear. It should have a dc resistance of approximately 8.5 ohms.
 It has a tendency to clog after age and use due to carbon and dirt buildup; try cleaning it by removing the hoses and spraying carburetor cleaner inside and then see if you can freely rotate the valve with your fingertip.
  
 If all the above doesn't help, then you'll need to check for wiring, and sensor data, a somewhat more involved procedure.
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   Hope this helps,
               Jerry