Saab 9-3 Roof Problem
Discussion
I have been the proud owner of a Saab 9-3 Areo Convertible 2002 (52 plate) model (without folding rear seats or ski hatch) for the last 3 years. Recently a problem has occured with the roof mechanism and before I submit myself to the mercy of the nearest Saab dealer, I am seeking some advice.
It all started one day when raising the roof when I heard a slight clunking noise whilst raising the roof - it sounded like something either breaking or disconnecting!
Now. when I release the manual roof latch and select lower, the rear lid unlocks correctly but doesn't lift up under its own power. I can turn off the engine and then manually lift the lid, then restart the engine and whilst my wife holds the lid up vertically, select the switch to lower and the roof then continues as normal - with the exception that the lid falls slightly faster than it would normally at the end. The lid locks correctly at the end of the sequence. When raising the roof, again the lid will not lift under its own power and I have to repeat the manual sequence to complete the action. So the main part of the sequence involving the roof raise and lower works but the lid part does not.
I have heard there is a shear pin somewhere in the mechanism - does anyone know if there is a way I can check this or anything else before I go to the dealer. I have no idea of how to gain access to the roof mechanism so any help on that front would be appreciated.
It all started one day when raising the roof when I heard a slight clunking noise whilst raising the roof - it sounded like something either breaking or disconnecting!
Now. when I release the manual roof latch and select lower, the rear lid unlocks correctly but doesn't lift up under its own power. I can turn off the engine and then manually lift the lid, then restart the engine and whilst my wife holds the lid up vertically, select the switch to lower and the roof then continues as normal - with the exception that the lid falls slightly faster than it would normally at the end. The lid locks correctly at the end of the sequence. When raising the roof, again the lid will not lift under its own power and I have to repeat the manual sequence to complete the action. So the main part of the sequence involving the roof raise and lower works but the lid part does not.
I have heard there is a shear pin somewhere in the mechanism - does anyone know if there is a way I can check this or anything else before I go to the dealer. I have no idea of how to gain access to the roof mechanism so any help on that front would be appreciated.
This is an old thread, but I´ll add my recent experience ,with my 1998 9-3 SE, to assist others. Hopefully someone can help me with my next step...
I had the same problem while opening my roof (knocking, then all stop), was working fine, but I opened the roof to remove a box I transported on my back seat and I guess the roof mechanism made contact. Guess I wont do that again.
The shear pin is located in the boot(trunk), access as follows:
Remove the boot lining/cover up by the boot lid hinges. You will see a torsion bar behind, with a link at the right hand side. In a groove near the transition is a rubber grommet intended to keep the pin in position. Pop this out and the sheared pin will be visible.
I changed my shear pin and the roof closed after, but it seems I now need to reset the system, because I get a fault message "check hood stowage" when I try to operate.
Any ideas anyone?
I had the same problem while opening my roof (knocking, then all stop), was working fine, but I opened the roof to remove a box I transported on my back seat and I guess the roof mechanism made contact. Guess I wont do that again.
The shear pin is located in the boot(trunk), access as follows:
Remove the boot lining/cover up by the boot lid hinges. You will see a torsion bar behind, with a link at the right hand side. In a groove near the transition is a rubber grommet intended to keep the pin in position. Pop this out and the sheared pin will be visible.
I changed my shear pin and the roof closed after, but it seems I now need to reset the system, because I get a fault message "check hood stowage" when I try to operate.
Any ideas anyone?
did the roof close properly at the back (i.e. closed all the way down.locking at the back in place)
off topic but a tip if anyone reads this and their roof wont electrically go up after a malfunction
If the roof breaks, and u cannot get it up again as it doesnt lock down electrically at the back, if you open the boot, take the material off the boot at the top, there are some wires, b
rown , blue and grey, if you get a power supply..i.e. get another car, put jump leads into the car, then attach screwdrivers to the other sides of the jump leads, then if you put the charged screwdriver against the brown and grey wire the roof will electrically lock it into place. I got told this by a saab mechanic- previously i had to drive with a small very irritating gap between the hood and the bodywork of the car....
]
fountain- make sure the boot is closed. make sure the straps for the boot lining cover are back to the orginal position....i.e. the strap pulled...then go to a saab indie with tech 2 to diagnose the issue, it doesnt sound too serious (i have had 2 verts,and family have ran over 10 from time to time and all have had various issues with the hood)
off topic but a tip if anyone reads this and their roof wont electrically go up after a malfunction
If the roof breaks, and u cannot get it up again as it doesnt lock down electrically at the back, if you open the boot, take the material off the boot at the top, there are some wires, b
rown , blue and grey, if you get a power supply..i.e. get another car, put jump leads into the car, then attach screwdrivers to the other sides of the jump leads, then if you put the charged screwdriver against the brown and grey wire the roof will electrically lock it into place. I got told this by a saab mechanic- previously i had to drive with a small very irritating gap between the hood and the bodywork of the car....
]
fountain- make sure the boot is closed. make sure the straps for the boot lining cover are back to the orginal position....i.e. the strap pulled...then go to a saab indie with tech 2 to diagnose the issue, it doesnt sound too serious (i have had 2 verts,and family have ran over 10 from time to time and all have had various issues with the hood)
Edited by K321 on Tuesday 1st March 01:10
Edited by K321 on Tuesday 1st March 01:12
The shear pin is located as described earlier, I wrote behind a rubber grommet, should have said behind a rubber "O" ring. You just need to remove the boot lining material up by the boot lid hinges to find it. Its close to a universal joint. I hit the shear pin with a center punch and it fell out in pieces.
My problem with the sequencing from the controller seems to have cleared after a couple of days driving and doing nothing else (cool)...was planning to try a hard system reset by disconnecting the battery, but no need. Thanks for your replies.
My problem with the sequencing from the controller seems to have cleared after a couple of days driving and doing nothing else (cool)...was planning to try a hard system reset by disconnecting the battery, but no need. Thanks for your replies.
'shear pin' is there to break if the hood cover is stuck for any reason
'Check stowage' is some magnetic switches inside the hood stowage space in the boot that you can stow up or down. Theyre only fixd with rubber bands and you might have unhooked them while gaining access to the shear pin
'Check stowage' is some magnetic switches inside the hood stowage space in the boot that you can stow up or down. Theyre only fixd with rubber bands and you might have unhooked them while gaining access to the shear pin
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