1994-98 Saab 900S tonneau cover motor reinforcement kit installation

This video will show how I installed a tonneau cover motor reinforcement kit on my 1995 Saab 900S convertible. The reinforcement kit becomes necessary to install when the tonneau cover on your 1994 - 1998 Saab chatters or fails to open.

[@mariotorchio4075]

Here are the instructions for the reinforcement kit: www.genuinesaab.com/psi/files/900+cv+top.pdf

[@mariotorchio4075]

Reinforcement Kit Brand: Saab Part Number: 4613519

[@tylerheinrich6194]

I can't say "thank you" enough for posting this video! As you probably know, a new motor alone is around $1,300 and I can't imagine what the labor would cost. I live in Iowa and there aren't many import car dealerships around to even work on my SAAB. I followed your video step-by-step, besides purchasing the repair kit, and I had no issues whatsoever. You are a life saver!

[@mariotorchio4075]

Glad that I could be of service!

[@northernlakesmusic44]

Thanks for the video, helped my out. Though my car already had the repair kit installed but had problems opening the top. I found that the PIN WAS OUT OF PLACE so I managed to get it back in position thinking this should solve the problem, but after replacing the pin THE PROBLEM WAS STILL THERE. Then I noticed that the metal "plate", where the gear goes down in the gear "box" that can be opened and closed from the manual wire, was A BIT BENT, I straightened it and put the parts back in place and then it IT WORKED as it should again! Seems the gear did not reach down properly due to the bent plate.

[@mariotorchio4075]

yes, thats what happens!

[@wcroyal]

Thanks! I had mine worked on by my local indy repair guy about 5 years ago but it started chattering again... I think I can tackle this myself thanks to your great video. Need to get it operational again before the fall... :)

[@maseratirijder]

Yep i made this myself took a long bolt an 2 pieces of angle iron total cost 1 dollar 😊 great video thanks

[@gbpacific]

Thanks Mario! Saved me a ton of time and frustration, which reduces my beer and tequila intake - double win.

[@mariotorchio4075]

lol

[@intrepid5684]

Thank you for this clip. Well done and easy to follow.

[@mellester7885]

Excellent and thanks. There may be hope for my 98 yet.

[@mariagrazia5232]

Fantastic work! Mine is starting to fail... How do you remove the three bolts that hold the whole thing in place? The position of the "arms" or moving parts of the mechanism with the tonneau closed hides the bolts and I can't access to them. I'm afraid to disengage the motor with the emergency lever, I thought it disengages not only the tonneau but all the motors and then Tech 2 is required for reassembly, which I don¡t have. Is it possible to have both the trunk and the tonneau opened at the same time? Wasn't there some kind of clip that can break? Thanks in advance!

[@ShareTakis]

Getting it BACK ON was THE HARDEST THING EVER

[@marcogiusepperosariocristaldi]

Grande Mario lavoro fatto anche io e ho risolto problema....l'unica cosa che mi e' rimasta da fare e non so come fare e che quando apro la capote nel momento della discesa saltella a scatti e anche quando la salgo ...lo fa solo in punti specifici....

[@mariotorchio4075]

Non ho ricevuto l'intero messaggio.

[@petercordaro797]

Great video! Do you have any more videos, about using the soft top manually

[@mariotorchio4075]

I haven't made one yet but that's a good idea. Basically operating the soft top manually is not a smooth and easy experience. Here's what you do pull out the manual lever that I showed you in the above video it's behind the rear seat backrest in that slit. Then you lift the tonneau cover up manually by grabbing it on both sides and lifting it until it straight up and down. For cars that have those original small flappy devices on the front side edges of the tonneau cover you may have to fold those away first. Then depending on if you're putting the top up or taking the top down you unlatch the front latches and simply operate the top manually this involves standing in the car grunting and sometimes swearing.

[@petercordaro797]

Thank you Mario

[@edwinsoederhuizen830]

Very helpfull thx

[@roslynrusso705]

Hi this is a good video easy to understand but I do have a question, if your rear deck doesn’t come up, is it the same motor on video that needs to be replaced, would really appreciate your answer, as I been told they have 2 motors my saab is a 1998 900s 2.3 and deck won’t go up but still locks and black roof works but stops because deck won’t go up Thank you

[@mariotorchio4075]

Yes if the rear deck(tonnueu cover) doesn't raise up then it's the motor or gearbox that I show in this video.

[@edwardskinner3954]

thank ive learned alot by watching this video im having a problem with my top as well

[@mariotorchio4075]

what's happening with it?

[@edwardskinner3954]

Mario Torchio. My top goes up but the rear window doesn't lift or open up

[@mariotorchio4075]

+edward skinner when you say rear window do you mean the tonneau cover?

[@mariotorchio4075]

+Mario Torchio do you hear a clicking noise?

[@kristiechalene9331]

My 95 ng900 top was making the clicking noise and then all at once both of the side flap deals broke off one day. Then it went down with no issues, but when I tried to put the top back up it kinda stopped on me. I managed to get it completely back up but it took a time or 2 of shutting the car completely off...ignition off and restarting it, then pressing the button for the top. The next time I tried to get the top to work the back glass lifted fine, the hard tonneau cover clicked and went up ONLY with help and then the top itself stopped right after that. It never got past the back glass (5th bow I guess its called). Nothing after that. Tried to get it to go down and the back glass is the ONLY part that worked as it should. I had to pull the lever and make it go down manually but it wouldnt latch closed. I do know latch motor (under the tonneau cover) is good. The motor to the right in the trunk DOES make a noise like its working but not catching. I love my car. My husband bought it for me as an anniversary gift. I want it to work and i want to be able to drive it and enjoy it.

[@Flash635]

At 6:48 where you say you could wedge something in there to keep it straight. I was thinking of bolting it to the plate with a crush tube or extra nuts to keep it straight. Maybe some reinforcing plate too.

[@mariotorchio4075]

yes, after bending it straight you could figure out a way to reinforce it without the kit.

[@mariotorchio4075]

+Mario Torchio but the kit works good.

[@paulsmith4621]

Great video, but i have other issues i think. So it tells me to check latches. But when i release the latches and presh the roof switch i have loud clicking or nocking on the passinger side l. Sounds like its just after the door. But nothing happens the roof does not raise at the front or the back. I dont think thet the top is unlatching at the back. Any ideas or is this what this video is for.

[@mariotorchio4075]

If it's making the clicking noise coming from the passenger side then you need to rebuild the gearbox as I instruct in this video.

[@waynesorensen7071]

Hi Mario at 856 you say you accidentally skipped a step and were supposed to take the linkage off. Why were you supposed to take that linkage off? it doesnt seem necessary to me...TIA

[@waynesorensen7071]

i realize now what you are saying is that it is probably easier to take the motor off the large metal plate earlier in the process, which will allow you to do the drill-out and reassembly easier (inserting the spring too) and then attach the motor back on to the plate and re-assemble the linkage.

[@mariotorchio4075]

I explain the reasoning at 9:35. But it's because the metal plate stops the hinge from opening enough to easily get the spring into place. It can be done without taking the linkage and metal plate off. However, it was tricky and involved cable tying the spring closed and slipping it in with a pair of needle nose plyers - unorthodox to say the least!

[@williemaysfan1731]

I have a 96 900 s convertible and the motor for the top is broken. How do I manually get the top up?

[@mariotorchio4075]

There should be a lever hidden behind the back seat rest that you get to from inside the car. flip up that lever and then you can manually raise the tonneau cover and you can manually raise the convertible top. It's a pain in the ass and you have to stand on the back seat to do it

[@petercordaro797]

How do you know when the shaft is in the right place to be in the right timing.

[@mariotorchio4075]

If you put it back together the same way that you took it apart then It doesn't matter and won't change the timing.

[@edwardskinner3954]

good morning well my top lifts but the back window doesnt raise no noise it asks like its stuck do u think it could be the motor???

[@mariotorchio4075]

are you sure there is not a clicking noise? It could be very quiet

[@mariotorchio4075]

+Mario Torchio try to listen carefully and hear if the motor is coming on or not

[@edwardskinner3954]

hello the motor does not to be coming on!! i check the fuses as well and there good what eles should i check???

[@mariotorchio4075]

+edward skinner make sure that the wiring harness is properly plugged onto the motor the connection is to the top right of the motor gearbox assembly

[@edwardskinner3954]

ok thank you ill look but ive noticed all the fuses in the box call for a 60 amp fuse but someone replaced one with a 40 amp fuse could that be causing the problem

[@asamarea]

After you completed the re-install, did you need a Saab Tech2 tool to reprogramme the hood with? this website says it is a requirement. Before I embark on removing my tonneau I'd need to know because getting a Tech2 sounds a step too expert for most of us, right? www.thesaabsite.com/faqs/FAQ--body-contributor--convertible-tonneau-motor-replacement.html?id=249

[@mariotorchio4075]

no. it automatically goes back to the correct position.

[@williamstanton347]

The pen's diameter is only bigger on one end, it actually has a cone shape to it, for what reason I haven't figured out yet

[@mariotorchio4075]

The pen's diameter? I think you meant the pin. There was not cone shape on mine. Just a shaft. I drilled out for the new larger shaft, so there was no cone.

[@jidaco]

Hi Mario - would the tonneau cover motor be the cause of the issue I am having on my '96 900S? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i526qoWLbtWbhZY and kzbin.info/www/bejne/opm2Zqp-aJyWfdE - I have tried to find similar issues others are having and can't find one! Thanks for a great video.

[@mariotorchio4075]

I'm not sure if it's the motor, but I don't hear any clicking. If it needs the reinforcement kit then you will hear clicking.