High Standing Current Consumption After Starting Engine Block Heater Manually (381-2543)

Publication date: 2005-03-01
Reference number: 381-2543

HIGH STANDING CURRENT CONSUMPTION AFTER STARTING ENGINE BLOCK HEATER MANUALLY

TECHNICAL SERVICE BULLETIN

Reference Number(s): 381-2543, Date of Issue: March 2005

SAAB:	2003- 9-3 (9440)
MARKET:	SE, NO, FI, DE, NL, EE och US

SUBJECT

High standing current consumption after starting the engine block heater manually

CARS AFFECTED

Saab 9-3 (9440) M03- equipped with timer for activating the engine block heater.

BACKGROUND

The electrical engine block heater can be started by a timer or manually. Selection of the start alternative is made in SID under the Parking Heater menu.

When selecting manual start the engine block heater will only be activated for 30 minutes (deviates from spec.) and the car's standing current consumption will then be increased by 0.7 A due to the ICM not returning to rest position. This may result in the battery discharging after 4 days if the car is not driven.

NOTE: The higher standing current consumption will remain until the heater has been started by the timer or the power supply to the ICM is cut.

New software for the ICM which normalizes the power consumption will be developed.

In order that the ICM shall return to rest position after manual starting, the engine block heater must be activated using timer starting or the battery terminal can be disconnected. The engine block heater does not need to be run for a complete period (180 min), but it is sufficient that the heater has started.

SYMPTOM DESCRIPTION

The battery discharges.

WARRANTY/TIME INFORMATION

Information only.