see post #4-6.. Soft Top Manual Operation Only + DTC's

 

You have bad sensor. You need TECH2.

 

the top will not go down.

A few more details would help people help you.

As in things is there total silence when you push the button? Does it go only so far and then stop? Is there any warning display on the dash? Etc.

 

Yes, it's only silence. Top doesn't budge. When driving the car it does give some error, I can't remember the exact wording. Something along the lines of finishing top closure or something like that. We have another one that we tested the pump motor and computer on & both of those seem to be working great. We also haven't seen any evidence of any sort of leaks or anything.

We are pretty sure it's gotta be a sensor of some sort but we can't figure out which one. No one around here seems to have a tech2.

 

Yes, it's only silence. Top doesn't budge. When driving the car it does give some error, I can't remember the exact wording. Something along the lines of finishing top closure or something like that. We have another one that we tested the pump motor and computer on & both of those seem to be working great. We also haven't seen any evidence of any sort of leaks or anything.

We are pretty sure it's gotta be a sensor of some sort but we can't figure out which one. No one around here seems to have a tech2.

So the top is up and latched. But the dashboard is giving a code about not finishing top closure or such. And it will not respond to trying to lower it.

That makes me suspect you've a problem with the sensor at the front latch mechanism. There is also a chance of wire pinch that has damaged it. Were it my car, that's where I'd be looking, based on your description.

As I recall, it's a simple mechanical switch that's part of the cam action. You can get to it by manually unlatching the top and manually lowering it. Then you can remove the front cover and access the front bow mechanism and switch.

 

You have bad sensor. You need TECH2.
W/O TECH2 you can not check which sensor is bad.

 

Yeah, that's the current problem. We're trying to find someone close by that has one.

Thanks!

 

Have you checked this thread: Tech II location thread

 

Have you checked this thread: Tech II location thread

I did, we're in Iowa. Looks like the closest one is in Chicago about a 3 hour drive. We have a pretty nice Snap-On scanner and we're pretty shocked that it isn't of any help. lol

 

NO, NO, NO!
Any sensor could be issue and B1010-08 is GENERAL warning for that.
You NEED TECH2.

 

Read the owners description in post #5 Mimmi. It adds more information.

 

Foxtrapper: What you suggest is guess and replace (expensive) parts randomly.
Lack of TECH2 is no excuse of that.

You can come to me and I will show you which sensor is bad. I have fixed several soft top issues.

 

Mimmi, I said nothing about guessing and throwing parts at it. I gave some basic non-Tech2 diagnostic procedures that they can work through themselves, at zero cost..

Sure, a Tech2 would make diagnosis faster and easier. But that is not the only way around the dance floor.

 

A guess is "You have wear on tonneau cover hinges."
You might be right, but you're probably not.

You don't like investigation or diagnostics. You've made that very clear.

@Jenn5217, here's a web page with very good information on how the top works, and where various components are. It'll help you a lot in your understanding of the system, and hopefully your fixing it.

Saab 9-3 convertible - cabriolet soft-top system

Brief description The soft-top system works with a combination of mechanical, hydraulic and electronic means. This provides fast and exact control of the motion. The soft top is opened and closed either with the control button in SIC-C or with the remote control and the function is fully...

saabworld.net

Look especially at the steps of operation. If the front bow doesn't latch (or see the latch signal via the sensor), it stops. The rear bow will fall down under gravity, eventually. So you may well have a false or incompletely raised top. You may be able to fool it by manually latching the top. As well manually unlatching the top, hopefully pushing the piston on the cylinder past or up to the sensors.

There's a number of things that can cause either the sensor to misread, or to prevent the cylinder from achieving the full position. Most of which you can see and rectify with hand tools. Especially once you get the top down and that front bow cover off. Then you can watch the system operating.

 

There are multiple sensors, which most of them are duplicated. If 1 sensor is bad, you do not have warning at all.
Ng9-3 do NOT have micro switch type sensors, so you CAN NOT measure them with hand tools.