Aftermarket Xenon
Replacement of halogen by xenon is a peculiar case in a Saab 9-3 SS. Most 9-3's suffer from symptoms such as strobing, flashing lights and SID errors.
With TECH II the car can be programmed to deal with aftermarket Xenon. You have the Saab dealer to do so.
Also there is a DIY solution. A Saab enthusiast, Mr. C.Feenstra, has designed a circuit that puts an end to all misery. The site is an example of Xenon installation where I have made use of this additional circuit. The description of the circuit can be downloaded
Xenon lamps emit much more light than standard lamps, I recommend 4300K because this light is a normal bright light (not blue) and gives the same appearance as the original Xenon lamps.
Before you start the installation it is convenient to park your car so that the lights shine on f.e. a garagedoor. Stick masking tape on your light pattern so after installation you can chedk your xenon headlight adjustment.
Before you start make sure that there is no voltage on the headlights. So switch of your lights. Use the instructions of the manufacturer of the Xenon lamps. For the Saab 9-3 I placed som additional tips on this page.
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You can useuse the original bulb holders, the socket can be easily disengaged. The inside of the lamp holder (left slot on the picture) can be filed down in such a way that the plugs of the xenon can get through. |
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The lamp holder can be moved against the xenon lamp. Place the flat side with the tab in the same position as the original halogen lamp and slide it against the lamp base. The lamp then can be placed in the normal way in the unit. |
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Connect the power supply circuit of the ballast to the "out" position of the circuit and connect the in-position of the circuit to the original lamp connector. Make sure + and - are not interchanged. The positive 12V of the original lamp connector is located on the side of the yellow wire, the negative is located on the side of the brown wire. |
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Place the ballast ballast at a convenient place, in this case the ballast is placed against the battery compartment (some people place the ballast inside the battery compartment). On the right side of the car the ballast against is usually placed against the chassis carrier bars. |
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Place the circuit at a convenient place. Here it is placed to the front of the battery compartment. At the right side of the car, you can place it against the frontside of the air filter. |
Check after completion the adjustment of the lights.