hi,
I know its not any help to your problem but I also have a 93se, my problem is soft top failure on the sid when I open the roof, have to press 3-4 times to get t to open
where is the pump reservoir located so I can check that before going to the garage, thanks in advance for the info..pete

 

This information is for a 2007 - 2011 model but I assume it's the same for 2003 models. The hydraulic fluid is Saab power steering fluid CHF 11S. The reservoir is located in the boot behind a panel on the right hand side. 65ml brings the level up from min to max.
Bleeding the system is a little involved but straight forward as follows:-
1. Check and if necessary top up the hydraulic fluid.
2. Open and close the soft top 4 or 5 times and check the level.
3. Using the soft top emergency opening tool in the vehicle's tool kit, open the first bow latch 4 or 5 times.
4. Open and close the top 4 or 5 times and check the level again.
5. The system is now bled.

These instructions are from the Haynes manual.

 

on the 03 the pump and reservoir is located behind the rear seats. use your key to pull the back seat forward there will be an opening to the boot remove the plastic shroud you will then see a metal cover bolted down only unscrew the larger bolts do not undo the smaller ones closer to the center. you should only have to remove 9 bolts 3 on top 3 in the front and 3 from the back if you are small enough you can get the one on the back by sitting on the laid down back seat if not get to them via the boot.

what emergency opening tool? I was under the impression that these systems could not be manually opened only closed without causing damage. could you elaborate on what i need to do?

 

I got mine working, it was a combination of low fluid and the previous owner did not condition the top so water had seeped through the top and caused rust on the hinging points. I added fluid and actuated the top until it unlocked then opened up the emergency close valve and manually opened it more, actuated it open with the pump added yet more fluid. as it opened I hit the hinging points with PB blaster. I actuated it a couple more times and added fluid I continued to do this until the fluid level became stable.

 

The special tool is found in the tool kit under the spare wheel. It's nothing more special than an allen key with a hexagon on the end to suit the wheel brace.

 

hey guys I have finally located the leak that i knew had to be there. It is coming from the top of the inner hydraulic cylinder (ram, lifter, whatever you want to call it.) on the right side; I know that replacing it will be costly so I just want to rebuild it. dose anyone have a link to a rebuild kit or just know the size of the seals I will need? And if someone could tell me how to get access to the cylinder that would be great. Thanks again for your help.

 

I'm going to try to open up the cover, release the hydraulic pump, and check/fill the reservoir on my 2003 9-3 convertible. Does anybody know where to apply the allen-wrench-like manual opening tool I've read about? Where do you insert and crank it?

Also, where is the "emergency close valve" on the 2003, and how can I use it to open and close the top?

Thanks.

 

How do you use the manual tool to open/close top?

Thanks.

 

Although i have never done this i have done a substantial amount of reading on it. First I know nothing of a "allen-wrench like tool" being used in this task; the only tool you need is the wheel lug wrench located in the trunk. second this process should only be used to raise the top not to lower it as doing so may cause damage to the soft top mechanism.

Here are the steps:

1. lower the windows and push the front seats forward
2. unlock the the rear back seat using the ignition key and pull it forward (the key slot is on the left side near the head rest) with the rear seat forward you will see a rectangular passage.
3. remove the rubber cover over the hydraulic valve located in the passage.
4. open the T-handle valve about half a turn counter clockwise
5. open the trunk/boot lid and get the wheel lug wrench
6. in the soft top tonneau mechanism and inside the trunk/boot lining on the right hand side, is a hole into which the straight part of the tool can be inserted. Unlock the tonneau by pulling the tool backwards. The cover should lift by half an inch or so, close the lid.
7. standing on the side of the car open the tonneau cover by grasping the black part.
8. Get into the car and stand on the lowered backrest. take hold of the and pull the soft top up and towards the windshield.
9. standing at the side of the car raise the rear window.
10. still standing at the side of the car close the tonneau cover (do so carefully to avoid damage) now lower the rear window.
11. shut the the hydraulic valve without making it too tight
12. replace the rubber cover and put the seats in the upright position.
13. if it was not an electrical failure try to lock the rear window and tonneau by pressing to top button to raise it; if it works lock the front of the top down. If step 13 does not work continue to step 14
14. lock the front of the top down and open the trunk/boot lid
15. put the wheel lug wrench back into the soft top mechanism and lock the soft top tonneau by pushing the tool forward
16. take the tool out and replace it back in its spot in the trunk/boot and close the lid.

 

Step 6. Can you take a picture of where the hole is?