Replacement of Saab information display dead pixel ribbon. Lots of trial and error. Skip to minute 12 for successful application. How to remove SID from car, disassemble, replace ribbon, reassemble, test, drink beer, redo, redo ,redo.
Greetings from Russia! I do not think that we have a woman owning Saab and restore SID. excellent skills! nothing works better than a bottle of beer at the right time in this case :)
6 years later, I have my own Saab. Tried to fix it, but my ribbon cable was too low quality, big rip. The screen is like your 2nd attempt, even after using heat, etc. Luckily I had a perfectly working back-up SID2 but the speaker does not work. Does not bother me too much. What I learnt: buy from the well known shops like pixelfix. People on RU-vid and Saab forums recommend it. Thanks anyway for making this video!
Hi Mike, thanks for the compliments! When I replaced my ribbon the SID units were $150 on Ebay, so it's nice to hear they have come down to about $50. That should help a lot of people. In general- I like a challenge, even though it might not seem like it sometimes (see my video on fuel filter replacement.) And this was at least $42 saved, oh and the cost of the beer...
Hey Duchess thanks for this video. Watching you go through failed attempts helped me to learn more about what to watch out for on my own SID2 repair. So, thanks for not just skipping past those sections!
Ha, thanks Frontlaven. It was more trial and error than I thought it would be. I bet no one else uses a curling iron so nontraditionally! I'm enjoying the Saab a lot more lately because I'm fixing stuff on my own.
Great video! Just a warning to others who are still going to try this: Don't blindly trust the marking on the radio saying SID-1 or SID-2. We spent way too long trying to fit the wrong cable in. I would suggest taking the radio apart to see what kind of cable it actually uses before buying one. Or buy one of each, they're cheap.
Thank you! I think your "inventive" approach was brilliant and the curling iron trick great. Glad it worked for you in the end. Suggestion for others who watch, you're best to use a spatula or similar to remove any units from a dashboard rather than a flat screwdriver, in case the screwdriver head stresses and damages either the dash or unit & then leaves a mark there to remind you every time you look at it. Now I've got to fix my Saab's unit.
Just came across your video, bought a repair kit that came with 2 ribbons and a soldier iron with a rubber lined T bit, and looking forward to doing this tomorrow, also an SID2.
While I do need to fix my display... your video is the only one I've found that showed me how to get behind the instrument panel to retrieve my fallen in hazard switch (I see yours is a hole, too!) So, thank you for posting this. Now, not only have I gotten my hazard switch back so I can pass the Safety Inspection, I also know how to fix my display ;) Nice work!
I think you did really well, very inventive and patient, mine broke 3 years ago I tried to fix it but gave up after 30 minutes and it's still not working. Great video thanks for sharing 👍🇬🇧
For those who want to know where to find some replacement ribbon/screen. Pixelfix.com offers Saab screen and ribbon cables that do not require soldering. Worked great! I purchased the Screen + Ribbon cable and the ribbon came already attached to the screen WITH some metal clips attached to provide much longer lifetime. The only failing factor would be your skill attaching the ribbon to the circuit board.
duchess, again kudos for that effort. i went on ebay and found a sid repair service for $65 plus one way shipping to them. They are located in long beach and they matched the sid part number of my friend's car exactly. Thanks for the good demo of how to remove the unit. we should get the repaired sid back in 5 days. mike
Well done Duchess! And that's exactly why I prefer to do my work in PRIVACY! Let 'em just see the genius of the finished (hopefully) product. BTW, I've fixed my SID ('02 Aero) using a standard iron set to "Cotton" on the existing contacts but it only lasts a couple months. I'll bookmark your vid for the future. Thanks!
I was looking for tips on replacing the singular cup holder in my Saab 9-5 when I came across your video....a hair dryer on high heat would have set the adhesive on the ribbon too. Good work any time you can complete the task.
Most entertaining video. Your fatal error may have been using nail polish remover as a cleaner. While acetone itself would have been sufficient the additional ingredients found in most removers would make it impossible for adhesives to work properly. Look at the label and see if glycerine is listed. This is often included to protect your skin from the drying properties of acetone. Unfortunately since it is an oil it would also prevent the adhesive from sticking. Had you had alcohol on hand your video would have been much, much shorter, and that would have been unfortunate for us!
Great video! Thank you so much. I just bought a 1999 9-3 and I’m getting ready to buy undertake the task of repairing both the climate control and radio LCD. Your video was a great help
Hi. Just picked up a 99 Saab 9-3 w/ 145K miles, all records so I hope it lasts. Here are a few things neither your video or any other similar video discusses: 1. Is the SID replacement ribbon cables made of silver or carbon? Silver is slightly more expensive, conducts 10x better than carbon, bends 500x more than carbon before breaking down, and is more 'permanent'. For example, yours appears to be a less expensive version, without the hole, wasn't a very good fit for you. 2. Pull out the SID first to compare the replacement ribbon to images or the ones you are going to order to be sure it's either a SID 1 or SID 2, because it might not match. 3. The bulbs can also go out, and might also be ordered / replaced at the same time. All the movement during replacement can harm the bulbs. Thanks for the video
I found that by passing a hot iron (clothes iron) over the contacts on the printed circuit board, and the LED screen, that I went from 0 pixels showing to it working 100%, on a replacement green ribbon cable like the one you bought. I also cut out the triangular section to fit the cable, like you did.
Well, thumbs up for not giving up after first try! Second BIG thumbs up for realizing that some times You need to grab a beer :-) And of course BIGGEST thumbs up for showing the mistakes!!! That´s something You don´t actually see around these times ;-)
You did well... I came, tried , and failed ...miserably. Done it but cracked the LCD screen when putting it back together. The worst bit is, after trying it the pixels all now work , but just a massive crack in the corner which is lit up by the bulbs.. I can't stop looking at it I'm sending it off for a professional to repair :@(
I LOVE YOU Ms DUTCHESS! I've been looking for 4 days for YOUR video. I and my 2002 9-5 3.0t wagon thank you. Are you a Virgo?...no, no,...Taurus?...Will you marry me? really,..I love your attitude and gumption...you rock girl! vrrooomm-vrroomm...
Hi again. Took out my SID1 today. Thought l would be clever and just reheat the glue on the old parts with a soldering iron. ( l couldn't find the curling iron! ;-) Unfortunately adhesion was not the problem. The ribbon had split in a few places. I have ordered a new ribbon. Not looking forward to the re glueing
You are such a Smart & Patient Enough ( Never Give Up ) Lady.... I Admire You ! Next time, before you try to fix anything ... Have a couple zip of your favorite beer FIRST ... Ha Ha Ha !
You've inspired me to attempt to fix my ac display myself on my old 9-3. Thank you very much! I'll be looking through your other videos because it seems like my Saab needs most things fixing! Did you ever replace a Saab door window regulator? The tape I have covering the gap at the top of my window really doesn't look very cool but I have no idea how the regulator thing fits.
Glad I could help- that's the point! No, when my window went out I had a mechanic fix it. I think now I could have done it myself. Good luck on the repairs. So far, all of mine have stayed "fixed"
Duchess DIY I feel like I've just been to your garage and now I must owe you about £70 ;) Thanks for all your replies. I have no useful knowledge in return I'm afraid. I'll send you a free download link when I put my album together (although you might not consider that a good thing ;). Anyway thanks, and good luck with your Saab too....I will need luck with mine!!
Oh man, a GL woman with car repair skills! Me likey, and me very turned on! congrats! and evidently I'm not the only one, you're becoming a rock star among the men!
Duchess DIY Hey - don't sell yourself short, gorgeous- any woman who can bring the dead back to life is a queen with magic hands in my eyes! (Even if it's dead pixels we're talkin' about!)
I suggest using a plastic body panel tool (sometimes called a bone tool) to remove the panel NOT a screwdriver...less chance of damaging the dash trim. While it's more money I suggest just removing the SID and shipping it to a company like BBA Reman to have this work done professionally. You'll also get a 5-10 year warranty on the repaired part.
I just went through the motions of doing this, and its popped back in my 9-3. I had to use longer screws than stock on the last two screws that hold the faceplate on, because the last owner broke the tubes the screws go into. That added a few more minutes. Its not worth bothering a 'professional' to fix this, unless you like giving other people your money.
Given the problems the video maker had performing this repair properly I suggested the other option of getting the SID and ACC display re-manufactured by a pro. Then you get the warranty. For some folks (like me) it's worth the extra money.
Duchess DIY They truly are beautiful cars. I refuse to get rid of mine. I've already replaced the engine and turbocharger. Blew the engine during a race, but that car is worth every penny!
Duchess DIY, thank you for showing the frustrations of such *easy* fixes, saving money but not time. With my '99 9-3, I now have lots of practice removing, taking apart, and replacing the SID - but still NO pixels. My videos of the process are private and just to prove that I did the damn thing as instructed, also shorter and more boring because I had to cut out all my swearing/screaming to Holy Hell. So I see that in the end, all it takes is some female ingenuity - a curling iron and a beer.
Great vid, thanks. I'm close to buying a ribbon on ebay for my 2002 Saab 9-3. They all say to use a t tip iron, yet none of the vids I see on youtube for repair do that. -My ACC display is completely dead also, can I assume it's a similar repair? Anyone done that?
correct me if i am wrong.... you could have bought the whole new sid unit and forgone the 'interesting' experience? is that correct? they have em on ebay for $50 now.... interested in if all that work was justified given the now reasonable cost of the entire unit mike
Duchess DIY Thanks I thought that I was going to have to buy the whole thing which I found them to be about $150 for the cheapest ahhh this helped a lot
dear.... amazing! just fucking amazing! are you single? well done! i think the beer was the trick... was that a guiness? just blown away! mike in so cal
OMG a girl make a tutorial of how to fix a car radio digit screen that's really awesome i am sure all men whose watch this clip they wish if they have a wife like you
