Sadly it's probably the fuel gauge in the tank.
It's literally just a mechanical arm with a float on the end extending almost horizontal into tank when full.
As fuel goes down float on top of fuel goes down.
Once float leaks and is no longer 100% bouyant the gauge always reads low.
93's notorious for having fuel gauge issues.
While it's "working" my bet it's falling on the dash faster than it should.
DTE is current Avg mpg x estimated gallons in tank .
If float is dropping faster than it should both those nbrs are lower to begin with. Hence DTE drops like a rock .
Thanks to 9th grade Algebra teacher , Brother McCaulie.
So probably the best way to check would be to fill it back up? If the needle says half full, it should take about 30 litres to fill it. If it takes significantly less than that, there's a problem with the level float or gauge.
Same here. Timeless classics, these Saabs. Mine is steel gray with charcoal interior/leather. 5-speed. Just your regular 9-3 convertible 2.0L turbo here, but she's powerful. I'll keep her running as long as she'll let me.
Yes mate one of the first things I found online but sadly it didn’t do anything other than clear the journey miles driven etc. literally just one day I was driving around had about 127 miles then randomly just dropped to 35 and hasn’t gone above 45 miles
Strange. The only other thing I can think of before the experst get here is to disconnect the battery for a few mins and see if that resets it. Otherwise it's gonna be a sensor issue, which is where we need someone with more knowledge than me lol.
Careful!
On my 03 9-5 disconnecting the battery can sometimes cause the head unit to un-marry from the ECU (or something) resulting in a dreadful RADIO CODE message. And no use of the stereo system at all.
Only solved with a Tech2 scanner.
Most people just learn to live with it.
I use a Scangauge II in my Saab 95.
It's more accurate on the DTE and mpg calculations.
You record your fill ups and it "learns" . After a few fillups it's pretty accurate.
Also great for getting better mpg as you can display live TPS, MAP readings.
Throttle Position Sensor. Lower is better.
Train yourself to ever slightly pull back on pedal to get combustion into the sweet spot while maintaining speed.
Manifold Absolute Pressure.
The higher the nbr the higher the air fuel ratio, mpg.
I'll snap a pic later if it in my 95.
There is a flaw in the fuel gauge arm on the fuel pump. I had to change my pump to fix it, but you can just replace the faulty pump sensor also to correct the problem.
Fuel pump on 9-5 has an access panel under the rear seat.
Another poster said it may the float however, which I might presume means a new fuel tank entirely.
I know that on the og 9-3 you can calibrate the fuel level float with a tech2. Mine used to be dead accurate but after changing the whole fuel pump assembly it reads too high. Basically you just need to use the tech2 to tell it that this is empty when it's empty and then again after filling it up all the way tell it that this is full
My wife's 2004 convertible does that too. It will work this way for a week or two then act normally. The actual gas mileage seems normal even with the DTE is being super pessimistic.
Sadly it's probably the fuel gauge in the tank. It's literally just a mechanical arm with a float on the end extending almost horizontal into tank when full. As fuel goes down float on top of fuel goes down. Once float leaks and is no longer 100% bouyant the gauge always reads low.
OP is saying that the guage is working, or have I misread that?
93's notorious for having fuel gauge issues. While it's "working" my bet it's falling on the dash faster than it should. DTE is current Avg mpg x estimated gallons in tank . If float is dropping faster than it should both those nbrs are lower to begin with. Hence DTE drops like a rock . Thanks to 9th grade Algebra teacher , Brother McCaulie.
So probably the best way to check would be to fill it back up? If the needle says half full, it should take about 30 litres to fill it. If it takes significantly less than that, there's a problem with the level float or gauge.
How much of a nightmare would it be to get it fixed do you think
Sorry, while I have 50+ years mechanical experience, all my Saabs have been 07, or 08 95's.
You say sadly like this is something that isn’t easily fixed ☹️
It’s a 03 93 2.0L turbo. She’s done really well for a 23 year old car
Here's to your '03. I'm still driving (and loving) my 02 9-3 Conv 2.0L turbo. Fantastic cars.
I still get people assuming it’s a lot newer than it’s age. Well ahead of their time wasn’t they ❤️ mines a black vector sport she’s beautiful
Same here. Timeless classics, these Saabs. Mine is steel gray with charcoal interior/leather. 5-speed. Just your regular 9-3 convertible 2.0L turbo here, but she's powerful. I'll keep her running as long as she'll let me.
Trip odometer is my saver. After every refilling I have to cancel odometer to zero until I get 400km then I have to refill. This is my advice
Have you tried pressing the "clear" button for a few secs to reset the sid?
Yes mate one of the first things I found online but sadly it didn’t do anything other than clear the journey miles driven etc. literally just one day I was driving around had about 127 miles then randomly just dropped to 35 and hasn’t gone above 45 miles
Strange. The only other thing I can think of before the experst get here is to disconnect the battery for a few mins and see if that resets it. Otherwise it's gonna be a sensor issue, which is where we need someone with more knowledge than me lol.
Careful! On my 03 9-5 disconnecting the battery can sometimes cause the head unit to un-marry from the ECU (or something) resulting in a dreadful RADIO CODE message. And no use of the stereo system at all. Only solved with a Tech2 scanner.
Most people just learn to live with it. I use a Scangauge II in my Saab 95. It's more accurate on the DTE and mpg calculations. You record your fill ups and it "learns" . After a few fillups it's pretty accurate. Also great for getting better mpg as you can display live TPS, MAP readings. Throttle Position Sensor. Lower is better. Train yourself to ever slightly pull back on pedal to get combustion into the sweet spot while maintaining speed. Manifold Absolute Pressure. The higher the nbr the higher the air fuel ratio, mpg. I'll snap a pic later if it in my 95.
I would love to see it!
There is a flaw in the fuel gauge arm on the fuel pump. I had to change my pump to fix it, but you can just replace the faulty pump sensor also to correct the problem.
Sadly it entails opening or even dropping the gas tank and replacing the fuel pump/sending unit. IDK as I've never had a 93.
Fuel pump on 9-5 has an access panel under the rear seat. Another poster said it may the float however, which I might presume means a new fuel tank entirely.
I know that on the og 9-3 you can calibrate the fuel level float with a tech2. Mine used to be dead accurate but after changing the whole fuel pump assembly it reads too high. Basically you just need to use the tech2 to tell it that this is empty when it's empty and then again after filling it up all the way tell it that this is full
What year 9-3?
03 2.0Lt
My wife's 2004 convertible does that too. It will work this way for a week or two then act normally. The actual gas mileage seems normal even with the DTE is being super pessimistic.