Please help - automatic transmission issue

[Glynis]

We have a gorgeous Saab convertible which we bought new in 2000 and is so loved that she came with us to NZ when we emigrated. She is, however, having a little bit of a problem with the automatic transmission and there is no official Saab dealer anywhere so we need some advice please.

The AT warning light comes on intermittently but when it does sometimes it stays on for a couple of days. Usually the first time it comes on the car is very difficult to move and it can be like driving a truck through sludge. If we stop the car, turn the engine off, and then move off again, the performance improves. This improvement increases over the next few days and then the warning light goes off altogether. The garage has checked the car's computer system and there are no error codes registering. We might not see the warning light again for quite a few weeks and then on it comes again and the whole process is repeated. This has gone on for probably a year now and it's driving us to distraction.

At one point the light actually came on when it was in the garage and the mechanic expected to see an error message appearing then but still there was nothing.

I've looked at one of the other forums and someone there suggested there might be an issue with the battery not having enough charge. Someone else suggested a trans selector switch issue. If anyone can throw any light on this we'd be really grateful as otherwise the car is still absolutely fantastic and we've no other problems with it. The car has been regularly serviced since new and we'd like her to be healthy for a few more years yet.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this.

[JonV]

Sounds like you may be going into Limp Home mode. There have been several incidents of these transmissions failing. I'm on my third. seems to be an issue with the Valve bodies.

As far as the battery... get it tested and that will eliminate that theory.

[Pabllh]

We've been having the same experience with the '00 9-3.
Gear box light & cel come on intermittently at start up or after start up but before shifting into R or D.
Sometimes it seems as though if you wait long enough in Park the lights will come on.
I notice when the idle is slightly higher at start up, 100 rpm, it's in "limp home" mode and yes it will move like a tank.
Turn the car off, restart, more than half the time it won't be in "limp home" mode. Someitmes it takes two or three restarts.
Lights stay on for a few cycles.
Did the NSS cleaning.
Tried adjusting the shifter cable a few times. Last time was a couple of days ago. I admit I have no confidence in my knowledge or experience (lack there of) with adjusting the cable. Seems so simple.
The transmission shifts wonderfully when not in "limp home" mode.
There seems to be too many possibilities here:
Tranny going bad
NSS getting worn and tired
Cable stretched
AT fluid, PO could have the wrong type in there
AT filter dirty
and more ...
Hopefully we can get some more input from those that have had the same/similar experience.
By the way, welcome to the forum!

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but I think that the Tech-2 test set is required to read transmission codes, as well as SRS codes. GM dealers have Tech-2 test sets, but most do not that the Saab Tech-2 module required for our cars.

If it was me, I would get the transmission fluid changed and hope for the best. That's one of the few things that you can do to the transmission without removing it from the car... Ron

[Pabllh]

Thanks Ron.
I'm going to try changing the fluid. As you stated - one of the few things I can do without removing the transmission.
As always, I'll hope for the best.