Mine does it too. Sometimes it fires right away, sometimes it sputters and dies, sometimes it sputters and fires. Really I know there nothing wrong. I will be buying a new Mass Air Flow sensor soon. Just to see if it changes. Have you stayed current with your maintance? DI, Plugs,? Yeah I consider the DI a maintance item. I changed mine at 55K

 

Mine has started to do the same thing this fall as well. It'll crank and not start (i don't run the starter for more than 4-5seconds) or it'll start, sputter and die. It ALWAYS starts right up on the 2nd attempt. I've been told its the CPS (Crank Position Sensor), but i could be mistaken. Seems to be quite common with the 9-5s.

 

i don't think it's the CPS because this last winter mine went bad (had the OBD-II code come up) and i had a new one put in at the dealership and i doubt the new one's gone bad already.

 

a couple years ago there was a recall on the DI casette but as for the plugs themselves i haven't checked them and probably should.

 

I let my plugs go WAY too long this summer and the worst the car did was buck under load/heavy boost, it never had a problem starting. Hmmmmm, I still vote for CPS, but it could be a DI. Does the dealership have a way of testing the DI? Can we just go in and get a new one under the recall?

 

My '05 Aero with 47k miles is doing this too (always on cold starts).

Plugs are fresh (< 3k miles), and I would HOPE the DI is not failing with this mileage.
The fuel filter is also fresh with less than 1k miles on it.

Unfortunately, this isn't something the dealer would be able to replicate unless I leave the car with them overnight AND if the weather is cold enough (right around 30°F).

 

I believe the recall was for 2000-2001 models. The DI is a common failure item and has been known to fail as soon as 6 months after installation. I would try your spark plugs first, buy the NGK from your saab stealer ( they come pre-gapped ) . I highly doubt it's the CPS. I've heard about this issue in alot of vehicles. I would take it to a tech II and have them hook it up before it starts in the morning. If not, the tech II should be able to diagnose the issue.

 

the DI recall was for newer model 9-5s as well because mine was replaced under the recall about two years ago.
yesterday i asked the Saab tech at work and he said that the CPS is a possiblity but i had a new one installed almost a year ago so i'm kinda ruling that out. but he suggested start with plugs and to ONLY use the NGKs that the dealer puts in because he's seen where people put something else in and they always end up putting the NGKs in when it's all said and done.

haydenm315, our Saab tech mention the fuel return line check valve, but said that if that was the case it would be a problem whether it's warm or cold.

 

I've got the same thing going on as JeeperJay. My car is an 05 9-5 wagon with 47700 miles. Within 2k miles of owning the car, I got a cylinder misfire code. I replaced the plugs <1k miles ago (OEM of course), and the IDM/DIC was replaced under warranty shortly afterwards. My new IDM version is 3.7C. I also cleaned any crap out of the throttle body.

We've hit the morning 30's in MD and am seeing the same problem. The engine turns over more than it should before firing up. Just seems like it's not firing. I don't get any sputtering.

From what I've read it could be the fuel return line check valve, soggy vacuum lines, or a failing CPS. Most people experience CPS problems in the form of a stall when warm, but I did find someone out there who had no warm problems and claimed replacing the CPS solved the cold start problem.

FWIW I have some redline fuel line antifreeze. On the back it specifically mentions use for solving cold start problems. Not sure if this is safe or not. It's kinda thick and oily.

 

I have noticed that if you turn the ignition to ON (not RUN) and let it sit until the SID says "CHECK OK", the car will almost always start on the first turn.


I tried again this morning (coldest day so far @ 27°F), and it started on the first attempt.

 

my car has been crapping out lately when starting up. i changed the DI and the CPS 2 years ago, and the plugs 2 weeks ago. methinks the fuel pump is on its way out. they seem to start to go around 70,000 miles. if you haven't changed yours yet and you're above 70,000 miles and you can rule out the DI, plugs and the CPS, see if your symptoms match those for a failing fuel pump b/c that could be your issue. if you don't replace the fuel pump, your car could die on you while you're on the road. do you hear the fuel pump whir when you attempt to start it, or just cranking? if you don't hear the pump, that's another sign that it could be failing.

 

The cold start issue has been a problem with the 9-5's forever. I can remember last year at SCD there was actually a tech from Sweden who came to the event while he was over here trying to help fix that problem.

All 3 of my 9-5's do the same thing. First time they either start and sputter and die or they won't catch at all. Then the second time they start.

I find it doesn't happen so often when the temp is below freezing but happens right between about 40F and 28F. I've switched over to regular octane gasoline in the winter and it seems to help on startup.

 

i guess i don't really have a problem with it, just as long as it starts the second time everytime! and that there is no long term damage that this issue is causing.

 

hey i had the same thing on my old saab...i was told by the dealer it was something with the fuel line..idk though..but like others i did get the recall letter for that fuel line issue..sold my car b4 i got it fixed...so i felt your pain but not so right now.philly is not that cold yet, hasent gone below 38 degrees yet so mayb my new one will do it too

 

*knock on wood*

My 9-5 hasn't done this in like a month, and its getting colder and colder... weird!

 

THis complaint always surfaces right when the weather changes. I know with mine it goes away if it STAYS colder and soed ont go from warm to cold. I figured it could be due to the fule checkline not working so great, that as the fule cools there ends up wit a bit of air in the lines. After its prined it starts fine

 

welcome to the joys of owning a 9-5 ive driven hundreds of 9-5s and they all start like that theres nothing wrong its just the nature of the beast. there is a SPS to help with that but not all cars are avalible for the SPS