Saab 9³ 2003+ Armrest Powerport Installation Instructions

These instructions are intended to be used by a person with moderate skill. More involved than changing a wiper blade, but less than installing a subwoofer. If you would like to have your dealer install this, please visit us on the web at www.etadyne.com for dealer installation instructions.

 !Please read all instructions & warnings prior to actually diving in!

Standard disclaimers: While Saabs in general are put together very intelligently, with parts that are meant to come apart logically & easily, please use your own judgment in how much force to apply. If you feel as you’re going to break a clip, stop, reread the instructions, perhaps interpret them differently, then try again. If that still doesn’t work, ask for help. Lastly, ask your dealer to do it. Etadyne Industries LLC or Nova Technology Inc. will not be held liable for turning your warranted car into a big paperweight.
   Warning! Since this exercise will disconnect the ignition module temporarily, there is the slim, albeit possible, danger that the car will have difficulty starting after completion.  While this has never happened in any of our tests, it must be mentioned.

Tools you’ll need to complete this installation:

Step 0: Quick notes.
    -These instructions are for a 2003 US Arc with Theft Alarm.  Installation should be identical for all 2003,4,5 Sedans & Convertibles.

    -This installation assumes that there is certain wiring present in the vehicle.  Due to Saab removing options, you may find it beneficial to determine if the assumed wiring is present. Remove the left center console panel & check to see if there are 2 wires that are larger & thicker than the others in the lowest position of the connector pictured.  One will be black, the other yellow with a white stripe.

    -You may need a 30A mini-fuse if none is installed in position #10 in the left dashboard fuse panel.

Step 1: Prepare a work area.
    Turn car off & remove key from the ignition.

    Open armrest and remove the cover that is covering the hole the powerport will go into.  You should be able to pry it off with the butter knife or Saab Removal Tool. 

    You may find it useful to temporarily remove the coinholder in order to see better.

Step 2: Remove center console side trim screw.
    There are 4 panels you should take off in order to properly route & secure the cable.  First, on the right-hand side, locate the trim attachment screw. It is a cap with a hinge. You will have to move the seat full rear to allow access to screw.  Carefully pry the cap off to expose the screw head. Then remove the screw with the Torx screwdriver & place it somewhere safe.  Repeat on the left side.

Step 3: Remove two side center console side trim panels.
    Remove the forward panel by sliding it down slightly to come out from under the curved trim. Then, slide it rearwards. Using a combination of these movements, and keeping in mind the attachment points, slide the panel free & place somewhere safe.  The picture below shows the 3 attachment points.

For the rearward panel, move the seat full forward, release the 2 attachment points in the rear of the panel, & slide it backwards. Move the seat full rearward again.  Repeat on the other side.

You are now ready to route & connect the cables!  This is easiest when the seats are full rearward.

Step 4: Locate the vehicle connector to connect to & route the harness.
    Next locate the connector that we will insert the wires into.  It is a 33-pin black rectangular connector located to the left of the ignition switch, on the floor in the center console near the mounting screw used to hold the plastic side panels into place.  From here on, this will be referred to as H-33.

    The harness will be routed from H-33 to the circular opening in the armrest storage area.  Begin to route the harness by taking the end that terminates in white & red plugs and feed it through the hole from the backside.  Affix it so it will not slip through.

    From there, route the 2 wires towards H-33, following the black duct (if present).  Any path will suffice, as long as the harness does not interfere with the operation of the parking brake or any other moving system.  It is a good idea to keep the harness away from the ignition module, and likewise, try not to run the wire directly next to the aux-in cable.  One possible route is straight down to the floor on the right side of the center console.  Then go under the metal structure straight left towards H-33.

Step 5: Hook up the harness to the vehicle.
        Warning! You are about to unplug the ignition module.  Your car will not start until you plug it back in.  Please familiarize yourself with the next couple steps in order to spend as little time as possible with this connector unplugged!  While in our experience no ill effects have taken place while unplugged, we do not know your vehicle so cannot guarantee what will happen.  We have had it unplugged for as long as 15 minutes.  If you come against a problem, plug in the module, reread the instructions, and then unplug & continue.

    By now the 2 wires should be near H-33 with a little slack to work with.  Unplug H-33 by pulling the maroon clip upwards. It will extend 10mm, and takes a little bit of force.  Once extended, the connector will automatically unplug itself.

    In order to work with the other half of H-33, it must be removed from the metal center console frame.  The connector is in a black plastic bracket that is hooked onto the metal frame.  Wiggle it slightly to understand how it is mounted.  Then reach around to the inside, and with your fingers, unhook the bracket from the bottom & tilt it inwards.  It should release with a minimum of fuss, and then afford a look at the back of H-33, as well as a couple of inches of slack.

Step 6: Plug harness into H-33.
    Locate pins 3 & 4.  They are marked on the wire side of the connector.  They are the 2 large outside positions at the corners.

    Insert the terminals of the 2 wires into the connector positions 3 & 4.

    The terminals will only fit 1 way, so don't force them.  If they will not slide in easily, turn the terminal 90° and try again.  The terminal will be fully seated when you hear a small 'click', the terminal is visible from the other side, and you will not be able to pull the terminal back out.

NOTE (reference only!): Removing the terminal is possible, but difficult.  The method is listed here for reference only.  Get a paperclip & bend it in a "U" shape so the 2 ends are even.  Insert each end into the holes shown, one on each side of the terminal.   Push in as far as possible while pulling the wire out from behind.  If you cannot pull the wire out, the catches have not disengaged.  Try pushing the terminal in, reinserting the paperclip again, and pulling again.  This combination is the only way you can remove the terminal.

Warning! If for whatever reason you can only get 1 pin inserted successfully but not the other, remove Fuse #10 as outlined above, plug H-33 back together, and ask your dealer for help.  The vehicle should perform as normal.

    Once both terminals are inserted, reconnect H-33 together.  Push the maroon clip in.  It will cam itself into place. Repeat for other side. Slide unit into center stack. It will slide in & snap quietly into place.

Step 9: Test your installation.
    Plug the silver metal powerport (that looks like a traditional cigarette lighter socket) into the white connector in the center console.  Insert the key into the ignition.  You should hear a click as the steering wheel lock disengages.  If there is no click, try removing the key & reinserting it.  Turn the key to start the vehicle. 

    Determine if the powerport is generating about 13.6 volts using a voltmeter.  Or, plug in a cell phone charger & see if it is charging the phone.

    If not, make sure fuse #10 is present & not blown, the wiring is correct, and vehicle wiring to other side of H33 is present, as outlined in Step 0.

    When testing is complete, turn vehicle off & remove the key from the ignition.

Step 10: Fit plug into console.
    Once you are confident the system works, you are ready to begin finalizing installation.  Begin by fitting the plug into the center console.

    a. Fit H-33 back to the metal frame.

    b. Unplug the silver metal powerport from the white connector.

    c. Slide white plastic light shroud over the white connector.  Plug the single terminal connector to the          green blade on the white light shroud.

    d. Insert the white plastic light shroud into the hole in the center console.  Manipulate it so the light bulb is at the top.

    e. Plug the white plug into the silver metal powerport (it will only fit one way).  Seat the terminals firmly.

    f. Insert the silver metal powerport into the white plastic light shroud.  It is keyed, and will only fit a certain way.  Rotate the powerport until it slides in easy.  Excessive force should not be used.

Step 11: Secure cable.
    Using included cable ties, secure the cable in a couple places so it does not wander, or rattle against the plastic trim pieces. Also remember to use the scissors to cut the excess length from the zipties.

CAUTION! Pay special attention to ensure cable will not interfere with operation of parking brake.

Step 12: Reassemble vehicle.
    Reinstall the plastic trim pieces. The rear one has 2 attachment points in the rear of the panel.  The pin goes in the slot, and the tab sits on the metal flat.  Line the forward hole up with the screw hole.  Like so:

The forward one has a guide leg to help you. Once the leg is engaged, and the top edge of the trim us under the top black fixed trim, slide forward until the screw holes match up.

After both pieces are in, align both panels with the screw hole, install the screw & snap the cover closed.

Step 13: Clean up.
    Start car as normal & test the whole installation once again. Congratulations, you’re done!

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Last modified: 07/25/06.