Saab: Check engine light -1992 Saab 900 turbo, SAAB self test, engine computer

Question
I have a 1992 Saab 900 turbo 16valve.  The check engine light will come on sometimes.  When it does, it stays on and there is a reduction in power.  If you are in an idle, the engine will periodicallly sputter.  Do you have any thoughts on where to look?
Thank you, Dan

Answer
Dan:
  Since you symptoms can be caused by many things, you'll need to do the test procedure as outlined below to locate the fault.
 There is a simple procedure in finding the problem that you can do by "counting check engine flashes at your instrument panel. To do this, you must first find the 10 pin test connector...located under the rear seat slightly to the right(passenger side) of center. Then you must locate pin 2 (the pin id is embossed on the side of the connector housing). To do the test, you will need to ground and 'unground' pin 2 from the driver's seat...so make up a long wire with push-on female spade terminals connected to an off-on switch. The procedure is as follows:

 1. With the ignition switch OFF, connect the test wire described above to pin 2 of the test connector and chassis ground via an on-off switch.

 2.Engine OFF and test switch OFF, turn the ignition to ON, but do NOT start the engine

 3.When check engine light comes ON, turn the test switch ON; the light should go out.

 4. Wait until the check engine light flashes once; turn the test switch to OFF.

 5.A fault code will begin to flash via the check engine light. There is a long flash at the beginning and end of each code group.The numerical code is a series of short flashes. Once a code is displayed, it will repeat itself until a new one is selected. For example, the code 123 would be as follows: long flash-single flash-double flash-triple flash-long flash

 6. To cycle to the next code, turn the test switch ON, let the check engine light flash once, then turn the switch OFF. The next fault code will then be displayed as above.

Since there are about 50 fault codes, feel free to get back to me with your results and I will send the info.

 NOTE: the test sequence can be restarted if you let the check engine light flash twice before turning the test switch OFF.  If you let it flash 3 times, it will erase all the stored codes.

   Hope this helps

                 Jerry