[rvis]

Ok. I saw a couple of other (almost) similar topics on the top not working. So my issue is that the top goes back fine but the part where the top goes into the trunk does not lift up so the top can drop in. Sorry that i dont know the name of it but I hope you guys can understand my description. I had it at the dealer and they said it was the pump/motor that is bad. They said it was a 2 stage motor and the 2nd stage is not working. They said the motor was $2,900! WTF?!?! Please tell me that this problem wont cost me that to fix. PLEASE! If you guys need pics/ more info just ask. It's a 2001 9-3 se.

Thanks

Brian

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

Did they happen to check the hydraulic fluid level? My guess is that they didn't. Here's the part breakdown:


Part Number 4859807

Description HYDRAULICUNITCV
Saab Suggested List $2,960.00
Quantity package?
Part Code (D = discontinued)
Superseded use this new number >click link
Core Charge $ 0.00


Let me see, the pump works a little, but not all the time. It sounds more like a microswitch is stopping the top - if the pump stops; if it keeps running, it might be low n fluid... Ron

 

[fivepointnine]

sounds like a 5th bow limit switch to me...$30 part and about 45 minutes of your time

 

[fivepointnine]

the dealer wanted $1000 to fix it, they diagnosed all kinds of crazy stuff when I took it to them.

 

['97 Saab SE Turbo]

sounds like a 5th bow limit switch to me...$30 part and about 45 minutes of your time

Here's a picture... Ron

 

[rvis]

You guys are great! OK. The roof goes back but the back part does not lift. Is that called the bow latch? When this issue happened 2 days ago the top went back the rear part went up in order to allow the top to drop into it but it never went down to seal the roof in. If I try to drop the top from the fully closed over my head position, I can hear the motor until its time for the rear part to open up. Does this still sound like it could be the micro switch for the bow latch? Also, is there a little DIY or a write up so I could tackle this? I am a neewb to Saab's, where is the hydrolic fluid level located? Where can I check this.

Thanks

Brian

 

[fivepointnine]

im kind of confused on what you are talking about not working, could you take a picture of the suspect area so we have a better idea?

 

[rvis]

This part wont open or close. When its that parts turn to go up and down, no movement or noise.

 

[sankuspr]

You guys are great! OK. The roof goes back but the back part does not lift. Is that called the bow latch? Nope, the bow (5th bow) latches lock the top in place hwne its closed. That big flap is called the tonneau cover. When this issue happened 2 days ago the top went back the rear part went up in order to allow the top to drop into it but it never went down to seal the roof in. If I try to drop the top from the fully closed over my head position, I can hear the motor until its time for the rear part to open up. Does this still sound like it could be the micro switch for the bow latch? Also, is there a little DIY or a write up so I could tackle this? I am a neewb to Saab's, where is the hydrolic fluid level located? Where can I check this.

Thanks

Brian

Search for how to check the hydrolic level. The very expensive motor in question is called the tonneau motor. Rebuilt units can be as low as 500$ for the electric tops, but it's clearly more expensive for their hydrolic counter-parts. The 5th bow motor or limit switch (anything dealing with the 5th bow - the area where the back of the top actually inserts into the tonneau cover when it's closed) is entirlely different from the tonneau motor. The 5th bow latches are the bars that insert into the tabs on the back-bottom of the top to lock it into the tonneau cover. Hope this helps, it seems that vocab is half of the battle.
Good luck,
Peter


P.S. I also think that a microswitch or something smaller is at fault here. A computer chip basically isn't telling the tonneau cover to open when/like it's supposed to. If it was the motor's fault, you would atleast hear it working. Although, the tripped microswitch could be a result of something larger like a failing tonneau motor - worst case.

 

[rvis]

Ima try to look in my manual on how to check the hydrolic fluid level. I searched on here but the 900 keeps coming up :roll:.

 

[fivepointnine]

the cover...check the u-joint and shear pin on the u-joint, there is also a micro-switch that goes bad on that part, but am unsure where that one is at...to get to the u-joint open trunk, look at the upper opening to the right hand side, pull back carpet by the weather stripping, and you can see the u0joint, although it will be harder to tell if the shear pin is broke, my entire u-joint actually shattered though, that was easy to see lol.

 

[rvis]

fivepointnine... you were correct. the pin broke. It is being replaced now. Jeezus. I had to take it to someone else to figure it out.:nono;