Saab Tranny question

[sweetair]

Charlie and anyone who can help. I do relize this is a G8 site BUT..many of us have owned/worked on other cars.

I thank you in advance for your help. I have a 2007 Saab 9-3 Aero conv. w/the V-6 motor, auto trans. I just had the tranny flushed last week. The car has 31600 miles on it. Since it was in for other service and this is an owned vehicle I decided to have this tranny service performed. 12 qts of synthetic fluid was swapped out that day. The tranny has not behaved the same since. It now jumps between the 1st-2nd shift, as well as just yesterday when put into Drive, the car reved and almost would not move. The car was put into Reverse with the same result. It was put back into Drive and then the tranny engaged "normally".

I brought the car back to the dealer where the service was done, and the Master Mechanic looked at it. He checked the fluid level which was correct, looked for codes, which there were none, and saw that the software was up to date. I was sent on my way to see if it gets better or worse. Have you seen this before? Do you have any ideas?
I was thinking fluid level initially but that checks out. Synthetic was put it, and I believe it calls for synthetic. Can an air bubble get trapped somewhere and cause an issue? I just don't want to make this issue become a really big issue.

Thank you again...........Bill

[GRRRR8]

Hi probability that the wrong type of fluid was used.

If its a 5 speed it takes: Saab 3309 mineral oil based # 40-93 160 393
If its a 6 speed it takes: AW-1 #93 165 147

You must get the wrong fluid out ASAP or trans damage will result!

[sweetair]

Thanks Charlie. I called the Shop Foreman regarding those numbers and he is going to look into it. He stated that they get their trans fluid in bulk for all vehicles.

I assume I should NOT put another 80 miles on it driving to Baltimore for the O's/Yankees game?

[GRRRR8]

If it is a bulk fluid it is DEFINATLEY WRONG! Bulk fluid with or without additives can not replace a mineral based oil.....PERIOD. I get 1-2 cars in a week with similiar issues and flushing it out with the correct fluid always fixes it. I would not continue to drive it.

[wnt2gofst]

OP this is what happen to my wifes 9-3 Arc Edition. They put the wrong fluid in it an it did same shit you talking about. Change the Fluid and all was good again. So Charlie is 99% right again..haha

[sweetair]

OP this is what happen to my wifes 9-3 Arc Edition. They put the wrong fluid in it an it did same shit you talking about. Change the Fluid and all was good again. So Charlie is 99% right again..hahaWas there any damage to the tranny?? I have put on about 150 miles or so, so far.

[sweetair]

If it is a bulk fluid it is DEFINATLEY WRONG! Bulk fluid with or without additives can not replace a mineral based oil.....PERIOD. I get 1-2 cars in a week with similiar issues and flushing it out with the correct fluid always fixes it. I would not continue to drive it.Bringing it home and parking it. 4 miles away so I should be good to go. Another 13 miles to the dealer, I hope on Thurs AM after I talk to the service manager tomorrow to set it up.

I thank you guys tremendously. I am sure this will take care of the problem. I hope this will also help out the service dept @ my dealer as well for this not to happen to the next guy. Shouldn't they know what fluid to put in it????

[wnt2gofst]

No damage. She had taken it to a quick change place for all fluids and they put the cheap stuff in it. We took it to the SAAB dealer in Austin and they changed it out and put the right stuff in it. We put about 125 miles on it. Told us they (tranny's) was real picky about the oil. We had explained what was going on with it that we just had the oil changed and they said bet it has wrong fluid in it. Sure enough the stuff that was in it was to thick if i remember right not allowing it to shift right. I see the same thing happen when the wrong oil is put In hummer trannys at work or even tank tranny's.

[sweetair]

No damage. She had taken it to a quick change place for all fluids and they put the cheap stuff in it. We took it to the SAAB dealer in Austin and they changed it out and put the right stuff in it. We put about 125 miles on it. Told us they (tranny's) was real picky about the oil. We had explained what was going on with it that we just had the oil changed and they said bet it has wrong fluid in it. Sure enough the stuff that was in it was to thick if i remember right not allowing it to shift right. I see the same thing happen when the wrong oil is put In hummer trannys at work or even tank tranny's.Thanks again.

THIS SITE ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!!!

[GRRRR8]

OP this is what happen to my wifes 9-3 Arc Edition. They put the wrong fluid in it an it did same shit you talking about. Change the Fluid and all was good again. So Charlie is 99% right again..haha

99.9% of the time actually. :)


Thanks again.
THIS SITE ABSOLUTELY ROCKS!!!

No problem Bill. Glad I could help.

[sweetair]

One last tid bit on this issue. I justspoke witht he service manager @ the dealer and he stated that this has never happened before, but was in agreement to get the proper oil for the tranny and swap it out. I asked that more than 12 qts be gotten so as to really flush out this other oil with the correct oil.

If I was going to do this myself the first thing I would have done is look up the correct oil for the tranny. Why would they not do that??

And really, really, a huge THANK YOU CHARLIE. I have been sharing how helpful you have been, in an instant, coming up with what the issue is. You are the man!

[GRRRR8]

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