Sorry for the odd title, but I'm a big believer in helping out future searchers. 
I have one odd electrical situation that I am hoping has happened before to a GMTer. I took my car in for brakes and an annoying belt/pulley squeal, and my mechanic replaced my brake pads and rotors up front and pads only in the rear (69,000 on the original rotors for this heavy vehicle... pretty good to me). He also replaced my idler pulley for the serpentine belt as the bearings were shot and replaced my a/c belt. No problem.
That day I noticed the radio flicker (model with navigation/touchscreen ). Thinking it was simply a shadow or my shitty vision getting worse I didn't think much of it. Over the next few days I noticed it a few more times and started to piece together that something was up. Driving around last weekend, my entire electrical system inside only cut out - the engine was running perfectly as were the headlights, turn signals, and flashers. I'm assuming the brake lights are fine too but obviously I can't tell for sure. No power to the windows, radio or dash lights. Then everything came back on, my radio said Delphi as if I just connected the battery and the climate control came on with a garbage disposal-like noise which I assume is the actuator motor. Multiple dash lights were on, and my info center said multiple messages like Stabilitrak off, Service Brake System, Service tire Monitor, You're an ass how could you do this to me, etc. Thinking it had to be related to my prior service I went back to my mechanic. He said it sounded like a dirty ground or loose connection which made sense to me since it progressively got worse.
He tested the battery and while running measured over 15 volts coming from the alternator. When he triggered the load switch on the tester the interior lights did their magic yet again, this time with predictable results - every single time it was put under load the dash lights and tone went crazy. He suggested replacing the alternator but didn't have much more of a guess. I'm thinking it's something a little more detailed (but not necessarily difficult) since the battery is charging fine and starts perfectly. I went to Advance for a second test and it did the same thing. So, here are my symptoms:
I have read about the key stuck in the ignition bit and if that is the issue... replacing that thing on the saab with the key in the middle of the car could be a tricky one. Anybody have a writeup on that by chance?
Thanks in advance.
I have one odd electrical situation that I am hoping has happened before to a GMTer. I took my car in for brakes and an annoying belt/pulley squeal, and my mechanic replaced my brake pads and rotors up front and pads only in the rear (69,000 on the original rotors for this heavy vehicle... pretty good to me). He also replaced my idler pulley for the serpentine belt as the bearings were shot and replaced my a/c belt. No problem.
That day I noticed the radio flicker (model with navigation/touchscreen ). Thinking it was simply a shadow or my shitty vision getting worse I didn't think much of it. Over the next few days I noticed it a few more times and started to piece together that something was up. Driving around last weekend, my entire electrical system inside only cut out - the engine was running perfectly as were the headlights, turn signals, and flashers. I'm assuming the brake lights are fine too but obviously I can't tell for sure. No power to the windows, radio or dash lights. Then everything came back on, my radio said Delphi as if I just connected the battery and the climate control came on with a garbage disposal-like noise which I assume is the actuator motor. Multiple dash lights were on, and my info center said multiple messages like Stabilitrak off, Service Brake System, Service tire Monitor, You're an ass how could you do this to me, etc. Thinking it had to be related to my prior service I went back to my mechanic. He said it sounded like a dirty ground or loose connection which made sense to me since it progressively got worse.
He tested the battery and while running measured over 15 volts coming from the alternator. When he triggered the load switch on the tester the interior lights did their magic yet again, this time with predictable results - every single time it was put under load the dash lights and tone went crazy. He suggested replacing the alternator but didn't have much more of a guess. I'm thinking it's something a little more detailed (but not necessarily difficult) since the battery is charging fine and starts perfectly. I went to Advance for a second test and it did the same thing. So, here are my symptoms:
- Starts absolutely fine every morning
- Runs strong
- Seems to be BOTH random and cause-able - the electrical cut out once when my fiance pushed the window down switch on the passenger side
- The entry lights (reverse lights) and dome lights are dim when I unlock and get into the car as if a dead or drained battery, but again it starts up just fine
- Alternator is putting out 15+ volts
- Testing with load produced the issues 8 out of 8 times
- XM radio cut out, navigation cut out, but FM radio works while the unit has power. Have not lost any presets, but the clock does reset to 12:00.
- "Reset" the computer by pulling the negative battery terminal for about 5 hours - why not, but had no effect
- Key has been stuck in the ignition since no power - once dash/interior comes back to life it comes out just fine
I have read about the key stuck in the ignition bit and if that is the issue... replacing that thing on the saab with the key in the middle of the car could be a tricky one. Anybody have a writeup on that by chance?
Thanks in advance.
