(1999 9-3)
The airbag light is now lit on dash. Also, neither horn nor radio controls on steering wheel work.
Any ideas?

Hi

The SRS warning light came on in my '97 900se took it to local saab dealer - £150 to run dianostic check, clean terminal and reset - then two weeks later light came on again - took it back - they ran checks charged £52 - faulty SRS control unit found - £527 plus 25 labour for new one

very expensive fault (it is possible to get 2nd hand units though)but as the SRS system is a safety feature its better safe than sorry

good luck

Quarryeff

Have you any freindly saab specalists with a tech 2 you would be better having srs codes read, I know it would cost a fee but it would determain the fault without the guesswork, the srs light can come on especially if battery runs down or even if car started before the system has carried out all diagnostic checks, but this can be reset but does not effect horn and audio controls have you checked fuses? maybe but unlikley blown fuse have a look first. or try disconecting battery for 30 sec then reconnect but remember this will loose radio code and other settings on sid display
£150 seems extream even for Saab ring a few dealers or specialists and ask how mutch just to read codes it only takes a few minutes and you will know what you are up against.

it should still be under warranty but you will find behind the steering wheel and airbag there is an electric coil that fails,i think the part costs 50-70 off the top of my head.it will be that!takes 30 mins to do ish

what is it off the shelf??

Thanks fr comments.
There is no way a Saab dealer will be asked to look at this.
I can get to a Tech2, perhaps for free.
I should have said, but was too embarrassed:
Just before I found the light on I had been in the fuse box to check whether I could fit a 'daytime lights' fuse. Sure enough, there is a slot for this, empty as supplied. So I put in a 20A fuse (correct) and turned ignition on. Lights didn't come on, so I thought *** it, I'll not bother and took out the fuse.
Generally I have found that fiddling like this can often lead to wierd problems like this - why do I do it?

why won't you take the car to a main dealer?the car will have a 3 year warranty if uk supplied with parts and labour cover.if you have the igntion off and take the fuse out before you remove airbag and steering wheel you wont need a tech 2.promise it will be that bit,used to work at st georges and we did loads

When I said I wouldnt go to main dealer I did not include St George Saab in that heading. I'm going there on Monday.

ps gsaab, thankyou.