How to Repair the Throttle Body on a 1999 Saab 9-5

Saab introduced its Trionic computer-controlled engine management system in 1994. Having a computer-controlled engine allowed engineers to increase performance and efficiently measure fuel and air intake to a precise degree. With the new engine management system came new parts, like the throttle body, needed to regulate fuel and air consumption. Dirt and oil can build up in the throttle body, which may compromise the ability of the mechanisms to regulate the throttle body, causing it to fail. It's not difficult to fix the throttle body on your 1999 Saab 9-5, and doing so can save on an expensive repair bill.

Things You'll Need

  • 10 mm socket
  • Adjustable wrench
  • Flat-head screwdriver
  • Pliers
  • Rubber seal #9176918
  • Vaseline
  • Torque wrench
  • Toothbrush

Preparation

  • Park your Saab 9-5, set the handbrake, turn off the ignition and remove the key. Raise the hood and prop it open.

  • Disconnect the negative cable from the battery terminal, using an adjustable wrench.

  • Unscrew the cap on the coolant expansion tank to release the pressure. Put the cap back on after the pressure has been released.

Removing the Throttle Body

  • Loosen the clamps on the delivery pipe, using the flat-head screwdriver. Remove the rubber boot.

  • Clean the throttle body with a toothbrush and compressed air. If you are only cleaning the throttle body, stop here. Reattach the delivery pipe and test the car. If you are replacing the seal, do not reattach the delivery pipe and proceed to Step 3.

  • Remove the two 10 mm bolts that hold the cover over the throttle cable.

  • Disconnect the accelerator pedal cable from the throttle body's pedal arm.

  • Unplug the wiring connectors from the solenoid and the throttle body.

  • Detach the four hoses entering the throttle body. Clamp the two bigger hoses first to prevent coolant spillage.

  • Undo three 10 mm bolts holding the throttle body in place and lift the throttle body off the intake manifold.

  • Undo the hose clamp on the back of the throttle body and detach the hose. The throttle body should now be free.

Installing the Seal or Throttle Body

  • Press the new rubber seal into place on the bottom of the throttle body.

  • Coat the new seal in a thin layer of Vaseline.

  • Replace the throttle body. Reattach the hose clamp on the back of the throttle body. Reattach the hoses that connect to the back.

  • Screw in the three 10 mm bolts that hold the throttle body in place. Tighten the bolts to 7.4 foot-pounds of torque.

  • Reattach the four hoses entering the throttle body. Remove the clamps from the two larger hoses.

  • Plug in the wiring connectors from the solenoid to the throttle body.

  • Connect the accelerator pedal cable to the throttle body's pedal arm.

  • Replace the plastic casing and the 10 mm bolts that hold it in place.

  • Replace the clamps on the delivery pipe. Reattach the rubber boot.

  • Reconnect the battery and close the hood. Start the car and test the repair at slow speeds first, then gradually work your way up to normal driving speeds.