# Strange problem

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-problem/40971>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** saab, 9-5\
**Created:** [December 19, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-problem/40971 "2009-12-19T16:29:27Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![chenson](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@chenson](https://community.cartalk.com/u/chenson)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 4:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-problem/40971/1 "2009-12-19T16:29:27Z")

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I have a Saab 2000 9-5 SE. It had a strange problem. When I go out and park my car, I won’t be able to start within an hour. However, if I try to start it after two hours, it will start. I bought it to dealer they reloaded computer software and it seemed working for about a year. The same problem resurface again. I asked them to do that the same. They told me, my software was up to date. I still suspect it’s computer issue. Any suggestions?  
  
  
  
 Thanks.  
  
 Philip

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**Author:** ![hellokit](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6a8cbe/32.png) [@hellokit](https://community.cartalk.com/u/hellokit)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 4:38pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-problem/40971/2 "2009-12-19T16:38:47Z")

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Tell us more detail of the non-start conditions. Does the engine crank normally? Does the check engine light come on? If it does, what are the trouble codes? List them (such as: P0401, etc.).

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**Author:** ![geeaea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@geeaea](https://community.cartalk.com/u/geeaea)\
**Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 5:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/strange-problem/40971/3 "2009-12-19T17:16:07Z")

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What they were telling you is that they’ve already reflashed the computer. You can only do that so many times.

Disconnect your battery for a few hours and reconnect it. If this appears to solve the problem you might research the cost of a new PCM ($$$). If it indeed corrects the problem for another year …then carry on happy that you’ve got a remedy. If it fixes it but the condition returns …then weigh your options. Locking this down without some frequency of occurrence in a number of other vehicles could be expensive.