1996 900 bizarre electrical problems
 

I really don’t know where to post this topic, so I’ll start here.
I’m new to this forum & to Saabs in general, so bear with me please.

Problems:
(1) left headlight is “dimmer” than the right one, but only intermittently.
In other words, when it does work – sometimes it doesn’t at all - it functions not as bright as it should.

(2) Right brake light also operates only intermittently.
I constantly get the error notice on the display during startup “checking” sequence.
Yet, there are times when it is working fine.

All bulbs are new…functioning OK
All fuses are functioning OK
Milage = 216,000
New alternator / generator two years ago.

Has anyone else encountered this problem…or one like it ?

electrical problems
 

This is more than likel unrelated as the 2 cars are so different. Anyway i had this same problem in my 1998 dodge ram, it ended up being a relay switch, again probably not but its worth a try.

other idea...
 

My Friend just told me to tell you that it sounds like a faulty ground wire, he said check and if needed replace the grounds and they should brighten up.

Just like boosh said I told him. Most likely considering the miles the car has seen. You are experiencing electrical problems. The head light that is dim, take the ground wire and cut it, but leave some length so you can ground it to the core support or even the fender will do. that should solve that problem. Then do the same for your tail light. If the problem persists post back and I'll try to help. Good luck!

thank yor for the reply ...

excellent advice, i'll see what i can do here.
hopefully it's not a relay switch, re-working the wires seems like a better option.

i assume the ground wires are black ?

ground wire color
 

they are not always black, try to find a wire scematic for your vehicle.

Thank you for sharing your information.

Usually the headlight problem is related to the orange relay inside the engine compartment fuse relay box. On European cars the ground wires are usually brown, black wires are hot with the ignition, and red wires are hot all of the time.