Saab 9-5 Audio FAQ
1. Notice
2. What are
the differences between the Saab Audio Systems?
3. Who
manufactures the Saab Audio Systems?
4. What Saab
Audio System do I have?
5. CD Changer
6. Can I
upgrade the audio system?
7. Upgrade
AS2 (Premium) to AS3 (Prestige)
9. Can
I build an adapter for that quaint amplifier?
11. What about
the connector for the head unit?
12. Can I
replace the speakers?
13. Can
I use the steering wheel buttons for a non-Saab audio unit?
14. The
sound alternates between the speakers. What happened?
15. Can I connect
a MP3 player?
16. Links
Notice
This FAQ is my own
answers to some frequently asked questions. These pages are provided as a
service to owners of Saab 95 all over the world. The answers are, to
my knowledge, correct. Any corrections to errors are welcome.
This FAQ reflects my
view of the world. I don't know if that view is shared by Saab, or any other
company mentioned here.
Feedback on this FAQ is appreciated.
A feedback button is provided for each of the FAQ entries.
When the information
given in the FAQ
differs between model years this is marked using a marker like in these
examples; MY 1998 - 2005 for the classic
9-5 and MY 2006 for the Dame Edna edition.
Note: Questions and requests for help will be answered when time
is available. Please don't complain to me if your Saab is making you unhappy or
when I can't give you a new SID or DI.
What are the differences between the Saab Audio
Systems?
Q: What are the differences between the Saab factory
audio systems?
A: The different audio systems
in the Saab 95 have different head units, amplifiers, and speakers.
Power output, number
of speakers, sound quality, and cost varies with AS1 at the low end and AS3/ES3
at the high end. The AS2 and AS3 systems share the same head units, either the
radio/CD/tape head unit or the radio/navigation head unit. The radio/navigation
head unit is available as factory option starting with model year 2003˝ (on
selected markets) and available as aftermarket upgrade for model year 2001
cars, and later, prewired for navigation system.
The following table
lists features of the factory installed audio systems found in the Saab 95.
|
DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SAAB 9-5 FACTORY AUDIO SYSTEMS |
|||||
|
Model Years |
Audio System |
Head Unit |
Power |
Speakers |
CD Changer |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS1 / Popular |
Radio and CD |
80W |
4 locations |
Option |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS2 / Premium |
Radio, CD and tape |
150W |
7 locations |
Option |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS3 / Prestige |
Radio, CD and tape |
200W |
9 locations |
Option |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS3 / Prestige |
Radio, CD and tape |
200W |
8 locations |
Option |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS2 + Navigation |
Radio and navigation |
150W |
7 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Radio and navigation |
200W |
9 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Radio and navigation |
200W |
8 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2005 |
AS2 + Navigation |
Radio, CD and navigation |
150W |
7 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2005 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Radio, CD and
navigation |
200W |
9 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2005 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Radio, CD and
navigation |
200W |
8 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 80 |
? |
80W |
4 locations |
Option |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 150 (ES52) |
? |
150W |
7 locations |
Option |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) |
? |
200W |
9 locations |
Option |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) |
? |
200W |
8 locations |
Option |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 150 (ES52) + Navigation |
Radio, CD and
navigation |
150W |
7 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) + Navigation |
Radio, CD and
navigation |
200W |
9 locations |
Standard |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) + Navigation |
Radio, CD and
navigation |
200W |
8 locations |
Standard |
Who manufactures the Saab Audio Systems?
Q: Who manufactures the Saab factory audio systems?
A: The audio systems are
manufactured by the companies in the following table.
|
MANUFACTURERS OF SAAB 9-5 FACTORY AUDIO SYSTEMS |
|||||
|
Model Years |
Audio System |
Head Unit |
Amplifier |
Speakers |
CD Changer |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS1 / Popular |
Clarion |
(inside head unit) |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS2 / Premium |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS3 / Prestige |
Pioneer |
Harman Kardon |
Harman Kardon |
Pioneer |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS2 + Navigation |
Kenwood/Becker |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
Kenwood |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Kenwood/Becker |
Harman Kardon/Becker |
Harman Kardon |
Kenwood |
|
MY 2005 |
AS2 + Navigation |
Denso |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
??? |
|
MY 2005 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Denso |
Harman Kardon/Becker |
Harman Kardon |
??? |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 80 |
??? |
(inside head unit?) |
Pioneer |
??? |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 150 (ES52) |
??? |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
??? |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) |
??? |
Harman Kardon/Becker |
Harman Kardon |
??? |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 150 (ES52) + Navigation |
Denso |
Pioneer |
Pioneer |
??? |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) + Navigation |
Denso |
Harman Kardon/Becker |
Harman Kardon |
??? |
What Saab Audio System do I have?
Q: What Saab Audio System do I have?
A: The following clues can be
used to identidy the installed audio system.
|
HOW TO IDENTIFY SAAB 9-5 FACTORY AUDIO SYSTEMS |
||
|
Model Years |
Audio System |
Clue |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS1 / Popular |
Head unit with no
tape. |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS2 / Premium |
Head unit with CD and
tape, but fails the AS3 clue. |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS3 / Prestige |
Head unit with CD and
tape. Subwoofer speakers in rear shelf. |
|
MY 1998 - 2005 |
AS3 / Prestige |
Head unit with CD and
tape. Subwoofer speaker instead of storage |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS2 + Navigation |
Seven inch LCD screen,
no CD slot, but fails the AS3 clue. |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Seven inch LCD screen,
no CD slot. Subwoofer speakers in rear shelf. |
|
MY 2002 - 2004 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Seven inch LCD screen,
no CD slot. Subwoofer speaker instead of storage |
|
MY 2005 |
AS2 + Navigation |
Six ˝ inch LCD screen,
CD slot, but fails the AS3 clue. |
|
MY 2005 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Six ˝ inch LCD screen,
CD slot. Subwoofer speakers in rear shelf. |
|
MY 2005 |
AS3 + Navigation |
Six ˝ inch LCD screen,
CD slot. Subwoofer speaker instead of storage |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 80 |
Ugly GM head unit, but
fails the ES52 and ES53 clues. |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 150 (ES52) |
Ugly GM head unit, but
fails the ES53 clue. Front door speakers. |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) |
Ugly GM head unit.
Subwoofer speakers in rear shelf. |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) |
Ugly GM head unit.
Subwoofer speaker instead of storage |
|
MY 2006 |
Premium 150 (ES52) + Navigation |
Six ˝ inch LCD screen,
CD slot, but fails the ES53 clue. |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) + Navigation |
Six ˝ inch LCD screen,
CD slot. Subwoofer speakers in rear shelf. |
|
MY 2006 |
Prestige 200 (ES53) + Navigation |
Six ˝ inch LCD screen,
CD slot. Subwoofer speaker instead of storage |
CD Changer
MY 1998
- 2005
Q: Will brand XYZ CD changer work in my new Saab 95?
A: No. Only the CD
changer sold by Saab for the 95 and 93 will fit.
The Saab CD changer
for the 95 and 93 is made for Saab by Pioneer. The
interface to the head unit is not the ordinary Pioneer cable, instead the CD
changer attaches to the I-BUS (a CAN bus, Controller
Area Network bus, J-2284, used as a local area network in the car)
and uses it for communications to/from the head unit. The TWICE security
computer will not allow the CD changer to communicate on the I-BUS unless it
has been married to the car using the TECH 2 diagnostics tool.
Before moving a CD
changer from one car to another car it has to be divorced (also using the TECH
2 tool) before it can be married to the new car. All this because some low
ranking life forms does not understand the concept of "mine" and
"yours".
If the CD changer is
not married to the car it is installed in, then this message will be displayed
on the SID.
Can I upgrade the audio system?
Q: Can I upgrade my AS1 or AS2/ES52 audio system to
AS3/ES53 just by plugging in AS3/ES53 parts?
A: Not easily.
Modern Saabs have
almost no unused wires, so if the car was ordered without AS3/ES53 it has no
AS3/ES3 wireing at all. For the audio system the cars are wired at the factory
for
·
No
audio preparation (no audio cables at all)
·
Audio
preparation (like AS1, but without AS1 head unit)
·
Audio
System 1
·
Audio
System 2
·
Audio
System 3
With model year 2006
cars the AS1 system is replaced by the Premium 80 system (standard) and the AS2
and AS3 systems have been replaced by Premium 150 (ES52) and Prestige 200
(ES53).
Upgrade AS2/ES52 (Premium) to AS3/ES53
(Prestige)
Q: Can I upgrade my AS2/ES52 audio system to AS3/ES53
by adding two speakers?
A: No, it is involves much more
than two new speakers.
You need to do the
following to get to factory spec AS3:
1. Remove old seven channel AS2 amplifier (made
by Pioneer).
2. Remove seven old AS2 speakers (made by
Pioneer).
3. Remove old AS2 cable harness.
4. Install new AS3 cable harness.
5. Install nine new AS3 speakers (made by Harman
Kardon) and Harman Kardon logo on rear speaker grilles (4 door models).
6. Install new nine channel AS3 amplifier (made
by Harman Kardon).
You need to do the
following to get a working AS3 system:
1. Remove old seven channel AS2 amplifier (made
by Pioneer).
2. Remove seven old AS2 speakers (made by
Pioneer).
3. Add missing speaker cables to AS2 cable
harness.
4. Install nine new AS3 speakers (made by Harman
Kardon).
5. Install new nine channel AS3 amplifier (made
by Harman Kardon).
Note that the AS2
speakers have different sizes, different impedances, and different frequency
ranges than the AS3 speakers.
This upgrade is
everything but cheap and easy...
My local Saab dealer
did investigate the cost of this upgrade, i.e. rebuilding the AS2 audio system
to what it would have been if the AS3 was a factory install. The cost,
including all labour, came out at SEK 50 000, EUR 5 600, or USD
4 800. Lucky me ordered the factory installed AS3. :-)
Swedish Saab dealers
offer a "fake" AS3 upgrade, AS2+,
consisting, at least in 1999, of a plain off-the-shelf Pioneer amplifier and a
pair of plain off-the-shelf 6" x 9" full range speakers. I have
listened to this upgrade and did not like it, especially not the full range
sound from the rear.
Add amplifier to AS2
Q: Can I add an extra amplifier to my AS2/ES52 audio
system?
A: Yes, with an adapter.
The low level signal
between the head unit and the amplifier is not the common single ended (signal & ground) used in
ordinary consumer audio, instead it is a balanced (signal+ & signal-) used in pro
audio. Attaching the new amplifier here requires an adapter.
![[Single Ended vs. Balanced]](files/image007.jpg)
Another possible
location is to use the high level signal at the rear passenger door speakers
using a common high level to low level converter. The problem is that this
signal may not be full range as it may have been filtered in the amplifier, the
workshop manual gives the frequency range as midrange/treble.
Can I build an adapter for that quaint
amplifier?
Q: Can I build an adapter that converts the weird
signal Saab uses to something I can use?
A: Yes.
An adapter that
converts between a balanced professional audio signal (like the Saab head unit)
and a single ended consumer audio signal (like consumer automotive amplifiers)
is relatively easy to build. The drawing below shows an example of a balanced
to single ended adapter using a common dual operational amplifier (OP-amp)
connected as an amplifier with a differential input. The drawing is just an untested example showing what my first
try would look like if I needed such an adapter. More work may be needed to
make it into an adapter sutiable for automotive use.
![[Balanced to Single Ended Converter]](files/image008.jpg)
Instead of building
an amplifier with a differential input it is possible to use transformers. Such
transformers are sold as galvanic isolation adapters for use in car audio. The
intended use for these adapters is to break up ground loops to reduce noise,
but they should work as a balanced to single ended adapter as well.
![[Balanced to Single Ended Converter]](files/image009.jpg)
Examples of galvanic
isolation adapters are
·
RadioShack [USA], Ground Loop
Isolator, article number 270-0054
·
Elfa
[Sweden], Audiotransformator med phonokontakter, article number 56-624-08
·
Elfa
[Norway], Audiotransformator med phonokontakter, article number 56-624-08
·
Elfa
[Denmark], Audio transformer with phono connectors, article number
56-624-08
·
Elfa
[Finland], Audio transformer with phono connectors, article number
56-624-08
·
Elfa
[Poland], Transformator akustyczny ze ztaczami phono, article number
56-624-08
·
Elfa
[English], Audio transformer with phono connectors, article number
56-624-08
·
Biltema [Sweden], Galvanisk
avskiljare, article number 31-441
·
Biltema [Norway], Linjeutgang,
article number 31-441
·
Biltema [Denmark], Galvanisk
adskiller, article number 31-441
·
Biltema [Finland], Galvaaninen
RCA-Erotin, article number 31-441
Make
sure that no signals are common between the left and right sides of the
adapter, i.e. Left IN+, Left IN-, Right IN+ and Right IN- should not be
connected together. Example: The left and right grounds are joined inside the
Biltema adapter and must be separated by cutting a trace of the circuit board
inside the adapter.
Where is the amplifier?
Q: I want to connect my own amplifier, where is the
AS2/AS3/ES52/ES53 amplifier?
A: The amplifier is mounted by
the front passengers feet (left hand drive) or drivers feet (right hand drive),
below the A
pillar near the wheel.
The wires from the
head unit and battery connect to the amplifier using one big connector. The
balanced low level signals should be twisted. The big connector has two rows of
pins. The first row starts with two large red wires and is numbered 1 through
20. The second row starts with two large black wires and is numbered 21 through
39. With this reference it should be possible to find the wires needed to
connect an extra amplifier.
![[Amplifier connector]](files/image010.jpg)
Note that the low
level signal between the head unit and the amplifier is not the common single
ended (signal
& ground)
used in ordinary consumer audio, instead it is a balanced (signal+ & signal-) used in pro
audio. Attaching the new amplifier requires an adapter.
The information the
table below was taken from the 95 workshop manual for model years
1999 and 2002. Unfortunately wire colours/colors may vary between model years.
There were few wireing changes until model year 2001.
|
AS2/AS3/ES52/ES53 AMPLIFIER CONNECTOR |
|||
|
Function |
Direction |
Pin # |
Colour/color |
|
Power |
|
|
|
|
Power
supply |
in |
1 |
RED |
|
Ground |
- |
21 |
BLACK |
|
Power
supply |
in |
2 |
RED |
|
Ground |
- |
22 |
BLACK |
|
Line Level Inputs |
|
|
|
|
Line in
right front + |
in |
3 |
red |
|
Line in
right front - |
in |
23 |
blue |
|
Line in
left front + |
in |
4 |
blue/white |
|
Line in
left front - |
in |
24 |
red/white |
|
Line in
right rear + |
in |
5 |
gray |
|
Line in
right rear - |
in |
25 |
brown/red |
|
Line in
left rear + |
in |
6 |
yellow/white |
|
Line in
left rear - |
in |
26 |
orange/white |
|
Speaker Outputs |
|
|
|
|
Speaker,
subwoofer, right - (AS3) |
out |
7 |
black/white |
|
Speaker,
subwoofer, right + (AS3) |
out |
27 |
black/green |
|
Speaker,
subwoofer, left - (AS3) |
out |
8 |
gray |
|
Speaker,
subwoofer, left + (AS3) |
out |
28 |
brown/red |
|
Control Signals |
|
|
|
|
No connection |
- |
9 |
- |
|
No connection |
- |
29 |
- |
|
No connection |
- |
10 |
- |
|
No connection |
- |
30 |
- |
|
Mute
control |
in |
11 |
black/white |
|
No connection |
- |
31 |
- |
|
Remote on
control for |
in |
12 |
green |
|
No connection |
- |
32 |
- |
|
No connection |
- |
13 |
- |
|
Speaker Outputs |
|
|
|
|
Speaker,
rear door, right - |
out |
33 |
blue/white |
|
Speaker,
rear door, right + |
out |
14 |
red/white |
|
Speaker,
rear door, left - |
out |
34 |
green/white |
|
Speaker,
rear door, left + |
out |
15 |
brown/white |
|
Speaker,
front door, passenger - |
out |
35 |
green |
|
Speaker,
front door, passenger + |
out |
16 |
brown |
|
Speaker,
front door, driver - |
out |
36 |
red |
|
Speaker,
front door, driver + |
out |
17 |
blue |
|
Speaker,
front panel, right - |
out |
37 |
gray |
|
Speaker,
front panel, right + |
out |
18 |
brown/red |
|
Speaker,
front panel, left - |
out |
38 |
brown |
|
Speaker,
front panel, left + |
out |
19 |
brown/white |
|
Speaker,
front panel, center - |
out |
39 |
yellow/white |
|
Speaker,
front panel, center + |
out |
20 |
orange/white |
What about the connector for the head unit?
Q: You gave me the pinout of the amplifier connector,
what about the head unit connector?
A: Ok, here it is.
![[Head unit connector]](files/image012.jpg)
Note that the low
level signals between the AS1/AS2/AS3 head unit, the AS2/AS3 amplifier, and the
CD changer are not the common single ended (signal & ground) used in
ordinary consumer audio, instead it is a balanced (signal+ & signal-) used in pro
audio.
The information the
tables below were taken from the 95 workshop manual for model years
1999 and 2002. Unfortunately wire colours/colors may vary between model years.
There were few wireing changes until model year 2001.
|
AS2/AS3 HEAD UNIT CONNECTOR |
|||
|
Function |
Direction |
Pin # |
Colour/color |
|
Power and Control Signals |
|
|
|
|
No connection |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Power
supply (ignition) |
in |
2 |
orange MY 1998 - 2001 |
|
No connection |
- |
3 |
- |
|
Ground |
- |
4 |
black |
|
Mute
control Note |
out |
5 |
black/white |
|
Phone mute Note |
in |
6 |
yellow |
|
Remote on
control for |
out |
7 |
green |
|
Power
supply (constant) |
in |
8 |
red |
|
Line Level Outputs |
|
|
|
|
Line out
right rear - |
out |
9 |
brown/red |
|
Line out
right rear + |
out |
13 |
gray |
|
Line out
right front - |
out |
10 |
blue |
|
Line out
right front + |
out |
14 |
red |
|
Line out
left front - |
out |
11 |
red/white |
|
Line out
left front + |
out |
15 |
blue/white |
|
Line out
left rear - |
out |
12 |
orange/white |
|
Line out
left rear + |
out |
16 |
yellow/white |
|
Line Level Inputs and I-BUS |
|
|
|
|
I-BUS - Note |
in/out |
17 |
white |
|
I-BUS + Note |
in/out |
18 |
green |
|
No connection |
- |
19 |
- |
|
CD changer
line in right - |
in |
20 |
black |
|
CD changer
line in right + |
in |
21 |
brown |
|
Phone line
in, ground |
in |
22 |
black |
|
Phone line
in, signal |
in |
23 |
gray/white |
|
No connection |
- |
24 |
- |
|
CD changer
line in left - |
in |
25 |
red/white |
|
CD changer
line in left + |
in |
26 |
blue/white |
|
AS1 HEAD UNIT CONNECTOR |
|||
|
Function |
Direction |
Pin # |
Colour/color |
|
Power and Control Signals |
|
|
|
|
No connection |
- |
1 |
- |
|
Power
supply (ignition) |
in |
2 |
orange MY 1998 - 2001 |
|
No connection |
- |
3 |
- |
|
Ground |
- |
4 |
black |
|
No connection |
- |
5 |
- |
|
Phone mute Note |
in |
6 |
yellow |
|
Remote on
control (antenna) Note |
out |
7 |
green |
|
Power
supply (constant) |
in |
8 |
red |
|
Speaker Outputs |
|
|
|
|
Speaker
right rear - |
out |
9 |
blue/white |
|
Speaker
right rear + |
out |
13 |
red/white |
|
Speaker
right front - |
out |
10 |
grey |
|
Speaker
right front + |
out |
14 |
brown/red |
|
Speaker
left front - |
out |
11 |
brown |
|
Speaker
left front + |
out |
15 |
brown/white |
|
Speaker
left rear - |
out |
12 |
green/white |
|
Speaker
left rear + |
out |
16 |
brown/white |
|
Line Level Inputs and I-BUS |
|
|
|
|
I-BUS - Note |
in/out |
17 |
white |
|
I-BUS + Note |
in/out |
18 |
green |
|
No connection |
- |
19 |
- |
|
CD changer
line in right - |
in |
20 |
black |
|
CD changer
line in right + |
in |
21 |
brown |
|
Phone line
in, ground |
in |
22 |
black |
|
Phone line
in, signal |
in |
23 |
gray/white |
|
No connection |
- |
24 |
- |
|
CD changer
line in left - |
in |
25 |
red/white |
|
CD changer
line in left + |
in |
26 |
blue/white |
Mute control
This pin is at 12V
for 1s after the head unit has been turned on, and for 10s after the head unit
has been turned off. At all other times it is at less than 1V.
Phone mute
This pin is normally
floating free at 4V to 6V. A phone handsfree kit should pull down this pin to
less than 1V during a phone call.
Remote on control
(antenna)
This pin is at 12V
when head unit is turned on.
I-BUS -/+
These pins are part
of the vehicle communication network. Don't mess with these wires as doing so
can cause problems, and perhaps damage, to many on-board computers!
Can I replace the speakers?
Q: I think that replacing the speakers will improve
the sound. Can I do it?
A: Perhaps.
The sizes and
impedances of the speakers are rather unusual. The amplifier may not like, or
may not perform the way it should, if speakers of different impedances are used
instead of the standard speakers.
The information the
tables below were taken from the 95 workshop manual for model year
1999. The sum of all amplifier powers does not add up to the marketing power
numbers. I do not know if this is due to realistic numbers in the workshop
manual and optimistic numbers in marketing, or if the reason is an error in the
workshop manual.
|
Speakers for AS2 / Premium made by Pioneer |
||||
|
Location |
Size |
Impedance |
Amplifier power |
Frequency range |
|
Instrument panel
left/right |
3.5" |
4.1 ohm |
2 x 15W |
midrange/treble |
|
Instrument panel
center |
2.5" |
4.8 ohm |
5W |
|
|
Front doors |
6.5" |
1.8 ohm |
2 x 25W |
bass |
|
Rear doors |
4.0" |
3.6 ohm |
2 x 15W |
midrange/treble |
|
Speakers for AS3 / Prestige (four door) made by Harman Kardon |
||||
|
Location |
Size |
Impedance |
Amplifier power |
Frequency range |
|
Instrument panel
left/right |
2.5" |
2.5 ohm |
2 x 16W |
midrange/treble |
|
Instrument panel
center |
2.5" |
5.9 ohm |
16W |
|
|
Front doors |
6.5" |
2.4 ohm |
2 x 22W |
bass/midrange |
|
Rear doors |
2.5" |
2.5 ohm |
2 x 16W |
midrange/treble |
|
Subwoofer |
6" x 9" |
2.0 ohm |
2 x 22W |
sub-bass |
|
Speakers for AS3 / Prestige (five door) made by Harman Kardon |
||||
|
Location |
Size |
Impedance |
Amplifier power |
Frequency range |
|
Instrument panel
left/right |
2.5" |
2.5 ohm |
2 x 16W |
midrange/treble |
|
Instrument panel
center |
2.5" |
5.9 ohm |
16W |
|
|
Front doors |
6.5" |
2.4 ohm |
2 x 22W |
bass/midrange |
|
Rear doors |
2.5" |
2.5 ohm |
2 x 16W |
midrange/treble |
|
Subwoofer |
6.5" |
2 x 2.0 ohm |
2 x 22W |
sub-bass |
Can I use the steering wheel buttons for
a non-Saab audio unit?
MY 1998
- 2005
Q: I want to use the steering wheel buttons. How?
A: Pressing the buttons changes
the voltage on one wire.
The buttons in the
steering wheel is made from six/eight switches and seven/nine resistors
connected in series. The switches connects the points between the resistors to
a common wire. A seventh/tenth switch connects over all resistors and is used
for the horn.
Note that four wires connect the
steering wheel to the instrument panel wireing. Two of them are for the AIRBAG.
Do NOT connect test instruments to the airbag wires!
The switch/resistor
network is connected to the SID. The SID will measure the resistance of the
network and either activate the horn relay or send a message to the audio
system over the I-BUS.
The information the
table below was taken from the 95 workshop manual for model year
1998, 1999, 2000, 2003 and 2004. Wire colours/colors may vary between model
years. There were few wireing changes until model year 2001, but model year
2004 has a new SID with a different connector.
|
SID connections for steering wheel buttons MY 1998
- 2003 |
||
|
Function |
SID pin # |
Wire colour/color |
|
Reference ground |
9 |
yellow |
|
A/D converter input
with pull up resistor to +5V |
22 |
blue |
|
SID connections for steering wheel buttons MY 2004
- 2005 |
||
|
Function |
SID pin # |
Wire colour/color |
|
Reference ground |
23 |
yellow |
|
A/D converter input
with pull up resistor to +5V |
24 |
blue |
The airbag wires do
not connect to the SID.
With the steering
wheel buttons connected to the SID a voltage can be measured. With the steering
wheel buttons disconnected from the SID a resistance can be measured.
|
Steering wheel control buttons MY 1998
- 2002 |
|||
|
Button |
Voltage (V) |
Resistance (ohm) |
Resistors (ohm) |
|
Horn |
0.0 |
0 |
(none) |
|
VOL- |
0.7 |
82 |
82 |
|
VOL+ |
1.2 |
164 |
82 + 82 |
|
SRC |
1.8 |
284 |
82 + 82 + 120 |
|
SEEK>> |
2.4 |
464 |
82 + 82 + 120 + 180 |
|
<<SEEK |
3.0 |
794 |
82 + 82 + 120 + 180 +
330 |
|
NXT |
3.6 |
1474 |
82 + 82 + 120 + 180 +
330 + 680 |
|
(none) |
4.2 |
2474 |
82 + 82 + 120 + 180 +
330 + 680 + 1000 |
|
Steering wheel control buttons MY 2003
- 2005 |
|||
|
Button |
Voltage (V) |
Resistance (ohm) |
Resistors (ohm) |
|
Horn |
0.0 |
0 |
(none) |
|
(+) Sentronic |
0.4 |
44 |
44 |
|
(-) Sentronic |
0.8 |
95 |
44 + 51 |
|
VOL- |
1.2 |
160 |
44 + 51 + 65 |
|
VOL+ |
1.7 |
242 |
44 + 51 + 65 + 82 |
|
SRC |
2.1 |
347 |
44 + 51 + 65 + 82 +
105 |
|
SEEK>> |
2.5 |
494 |
44 + 51 + 65 + 82 +
105 + 147 |
|
<<SEEK |
2.9 |
709 |
44 + 51 + 65 + 82 +
105 + 147 + 215 |
|
NXT |
3.3 |
1041 |
44 + 51 + 65 + 82 +
105 + 147 + 215 + 332 |
|
(none) |
4.0 |
2511 |
44 + 51 + 65 + 82 +
105 + 147 + 215 + 332 + 1470 |
Note that four wires connect the
steering wheel to the instrument panel wireing. Two of them are for the AIRBAG.
Do NOT connect test instruments to the airbag wires!
The sound alternates between the speakers.
What happened?
MY 1998
- 2005
Q: The sound alternates between the speakers. What
happened?
A: You put the AS2/AS3 head unit
in test mode by accident.
The test mode is
activated by holding the RADIO
button and turning on power. The head unit now enters a test mode sending audio
to the amplifier in the following repeating sequence:
1. Front left
2. Front right
3. Rear right
4. Rear left
5. Front left+right
6. Rear left+right
The head unit
continues to function as normal, except for this sequencing of the audio
outputs. Turning off the head unit will leave the test mode.
Can I connect a MP3 player?
MY 1998
- 2005
Q: Is it possible to connect a MP3 player to the Saab
Audio system?
A: Perhaps
Only four audio
inputs are available from the outside of a AS2/AS3 head unit.
·
Input
for phone (mono).
·
Input
for CD changer.
·
Radio
antenna.
·
Playback
head for tape deck.
Five possible audio
inputs are available inside the AS2/AS3 head unit.
·
Use
the tape player audio path.
·
Use
the CD player audio path.
·
Use
the phone input audio path after it splits into a right and left signal.
·
Use
the weather band (US/CA models) audio path after it splits into a right and
left signal.
·
Add
a new input to the electronic volume control.
Phone input
Using the mono input
intended for a phone is probably not very interesting.
Radio antenna
The radio antenna can
be used for MP3 audio by using a commonly available FM modulator. The MP3
player will be heard by tuning the radio to the frequency used by the
modulator.
Tape deck playback head
The tape deck
playback head can be used for MP3 audio by using a commonly available adapter.
The adapter has the shape of a compact cassette tape. The MP3 player will be
heard by inserting the adapter and playing the tape.
CD changer input
The input used by the
CD changer can be used if:
1. The MP3 player is connected to the I-BUS, and
has been married to the car (i.e. has been accepted by the TWICE security
computer).
2. The AS2/AS3 head unit must know that a CD
changes is connected so the input is activated.
3. The MP3 player is able to talk to the AS2/AS3
head unit over the I-BUS.
I don't know of any
hardware, except the original Saab CD changer, that is able to do this. How the
communication with the CD changer is done is not available in public
documentation that I know of.
It should be possible
to reverse engineer the communication using available CAN bus software tools,
but this is most likely not an easy job.
Tape player audio path
This method requires
internal modifications to the head unit. The method is to steal the audio path
from the tape player, replacing the tape player audio signal with the MP3 audio
signal. A audio cassette has to be "played" to activate the MP3
audio.
Step-by-step
instructions for this modification are available from the SAAB 95 MP3 player
site.
CD player audio path
This method requires
internal modifications to the head unit. The method is to steal the audio path
from the CD player, replacing the CD player audio signal with the MP3 audio
signal. A CD has to be "played" to activate the MP3 audio.
Phone input audio path
Weather band audio path
Electronic volume control
These methods require
internal modifications to the head unit. The method is to steal the phone input
or weather band audio path after it has been split into a left and right audio
signal. This is just before the electronic volume control, so an alternative is
to add a new input to the electronic volume control just for the MP3 signal.
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