These instructions apply to the Saab 9-5 (9600) 1998-2010.
For other models, please choose your vehicle here.
Disconnecting the 12 V battery on a Saab 9-5 (9600, 1998–2010) is a simple bit of home maintenance that only needs a spanner and a few minutes. Owners reach for it when fitting a new battery, isolating the electrics before working near the airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, laying the car up for winter, or giving the electronics a clean reboot after a flat. The 9-5 keeps a handful of convenience settings that reset when power is cut, but the procedure itself is easy: take the terminals off and put them back in the correct order and the car sorts itself out over the first short drive. The battery is in the engine compartment.
Where the 12 V Battery Is
On the 9-5, the 12 V battery lives in the engine compartment. Clear away any cover or trim over it and you will find two terminals: the negative (−) with its black earth lead bolted to the bodywork, and the positive (+) with a red lead, commonly tucked under a hinged plastic flap. Take a moment to be sure which is which before you start — the order you work in depends on it. The negative always comes off first and goes back on last.
Before You Begin
- Confirm the ignition is fully off and the key is removed — the 9-5 ignition switch sits on the centre console between the front seats.
- Turn off the headlights, heater fan, radio and anything else drawing power, and shut the doors so no interior lamps stay lit.
- Write down your radio security code and preset stations first; you will re-enter them once the battery is back on.
- Wait a couple of minutes after switching off so the control modules power down, particularly before any work near the airbags or pretensioners.
- Have the right spanner to hand (typically a 10 mm), along with gloves and eye protection.
Disconnecting
- Take the ignition key out fully and double-check nothing electrical is still running.
- Loosen the clamp on the negative (−) terminal first, lift the lead off and move it aside so it cannot flick back onto the post.
- Now loosen and lift off the positive (+) lead.
- If you will be near the airbags or seat-belt pretensioners, allow a few minutes for the system to discharge before starting.
Reconnecting
- Refit the positive (+) lead first and tighten its clamp until it is firm.
- Refit the negative (−) lead last and tighten it the same way.
- Give both clamps a final check for tightness — a loose earth is the usual culprit behind flickering electrics afterwards.
- Replace any cover or trim you removed.
What You’ll Need to Reset Afterwards
Cutting power clears a few stored items on the 9-5. Once it is running again you will want to sort out:
- Clock and radio — reset the time, enter the security code if it asks for one, and store your preset stations.
- Power windows — if a window loses its one-touch, hold the switch fully up or down at the limit to relearn the travel.
- Warning lights — some may glow briefly then self-clear once the systems have completed their checks over a short drive.
If a Warning Light Stays On or the Car Feels Off
- Recheck both terminal clamps for tightness and confirm each lead is on the correct post.
- Drive the car a short distance so the electronic systems can relearn and settle.
- Re-do the window relearn if one-touch is not working, holding the switch at each end of travel.
- If the car was slow to crank before, suspect a worn or flat battery and have it load-tested.
- A light that will not clear has logged a fault code — read it and look it up on autodtcs.com.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the battery on a Saab 9-5?
In the engine compartment. Remove any cover over it and you will see the negative and positive terminals, with the positive usually protected by a hinged plastic flap.
Which terminal do I disconnect first?
The negative (−) comes off first and goes back on last. Working in that order keeps a spanner from shorting the live positive against the surrounding bodywork.
Will I lose my radio code?
You may. Note the code and your preset stations before you disconnect, and re-enter the clock, code and presets once the battery is reconnected. Keeping the code written down turns this into a two-minute job.
What else needs resetting afterwards?
Mainly the clock and radio, plus the power windows’ one-touch function if it drops out. A few warning lights may appear briefly and clear on their own after a short drive.
Does a new battery need coding on the 9-5?
No. A like-for-like battery of the correct size and rating simply fits — the 9-5 does not need the battery registered or coded to a module. Match the specification the car came with from the factory.
Can I jump-start it instead of disconnecting?
Yes, if you only need to recover from a flat — a jump-start keeps all your settings intact. Disconnecting is for fitting a new battery, storage, or safe electrical work, not for a quick roadside start.
If a warning light stays on after reconnecting, look up the stored code on autodtcs.com.
Independent guide — not affiliated with Saab. Always follow your official service manual and safety precautions. Read our full disclaimer.