Saab - Shifter Blind Repair

[@dennismartselos1528]

Thank you for posting this repair video and for making the process fairly interesting. I ordered a replacement jalousie today for a 2002 SAAB 9-3 and wondered how to approach the repair. Now I'm schooled and I'm most grateful.

[@saabross3171]

Thank you Dennis, I wish you success in tackling your repair as that was the sole reason for making this (somewhat too lengthy) video. After doing this repair several for other people I decided to make what little knowledge I have public info so we can all take care of our Saabs! Not like there's a dealership we can go to anymore ;-)

[@kevinedmonds2481]

Thanks a million. it took 10 minutes to change. my mechanic couldn't figure it out

[@saabross3171]

kevin Edmonds Mine knew the cheat way, but a surprising few know about that torx screw above the trigger, including a Saab tech I knew with years of exp. Once you do it, 10-20min is all it takes so glad to hear you were a stud first try!

[@robusti82]

"Empty pit of despair." Sort of describes the whole Saab experience. (It's a love/hate thing with my 9-5 Aero.) Thanks for the guidance!

[@Jester123ish]

The cure for that is to have owned one of the old 900 turbos from the early eighties, ownership of a 9-5 will than seem like blessed heaven! I remember needing to remove the starter motor from an '84 900 turbo, the EASY way was to first remove the exhaust manifold. Ah so many fond memories.

[@Cortinasinlatina]

My teen son and I lovingly refer to our 2001 9-5 SE as the Green Scab. Each passing year of ownership is a minor miracle full of learning opportunities. Even though we do not have inspections here in Alabama I can proudly say that the MIL has not come on in months and we have 142,000 miles on the clock.

[@kevinkelle6927]

FWIW, though I have a 2001 95 SE Wagon, it's sport mode wires are soldered. The door sticker says it was mfg'd in 11/00, so definitely an early production 2001. Glad to see both methods, and I will be using the short-cut! Wouldn't you know, just as I'm ready to sell the car, the Jalousie breaks. Fortunately, it's a cheap and easy repair thanks to this helpful video.

[@radek8200]

An excellent DIY video. I’ve been driving with broken jalousie for four years. Now it’s fixed thanks to your hints. Once all is open I suggest replacing a bulb under the selector stripe. Thanks!

[@VWNMSOEST]

Thanks for this great explanation. Helped me out for my 2009 Dame Edna. Sport button wires had easily removable plugs indeed.1h job.

[@Cortinasinlatina]

I relocated the Sport Mode switch to the former access spot for the Winter Mode switch on my 2001 Saab 9-5 with the 3 liter. I left the connectors for the removed switch tucked into the console. Since I live in the armpit of the south (Alabama) the Winter Mode is not essential and we do not have yearly inspections either. I purchased an illuminated momentary switch online and the fit is perfect.

[@Kumunic8]

Now that is a great video! easy to follow, the quality is good, and the directions are simple. Nice work on this one!

[@ofeen9311]

Very well and thoroughly presented. Thank you. I am now a subscriber with a 2001 9-3 SE with almost 320,000 miles, and going strong. Wonderful cars. On another fix-it issue, extracting my ignition lock cylinder was a creative event, as mine would not turn (despite many, many repeated attempts) so as to allow access to the retaining pin; needed to pry/drill out the old one, which instruction no one seemed to have on line, and no lock smith would go near a Saab, apparently.

[@KimLockLorenzen]

Thanks for realy good step-by-step repair video ... Worked 100%

[@Cortinasinlatina]

Thank you for posting the tutorial as well as clarifying the pronunciation of the blinder piece. You saved me a lot of frustration by indicating where the retaining clip was for removing the trigger assembly.

[@donaldvidger2453]

you just saved me time and frustration. i followed your "cheater" way, what a time saver.

[@TheJoshscanon]

Super helpful. I really appreciate this video

[@saabross3171]

Glad it helped!

[@captainzhu]

Thanks for the video. I replaced my jalousie in the perfect way, and replaced the shift light bulb as well.

[@saabross3171]

Nice! Yeah I always do the ideal way unless its soldered, the cheater method isn't exactly my favorite. Plus, you can do so much more while in you're in there like you did! Glad it helped

[@spensersun]

Well done in every details, thanks a lot.

[@allenrussell1947]

Awesome, thanks!!! Doing this tonight on my 9-3

[@saabross3171]

Glad to hear it! How'd it go?

[@allenrussell1947]

@@saabross3171 time got in the way and I didn't get a chance. Pushed back to tomorrow morning. But this makes it look easy!! Thanks

[@allenrussell1947]

@@saabross3171 I just finished... Looks great!!! But mine is a little different. I could not see a screw holding the shifter together so I did a modified "short cut" in that I just cut through the jalouise on the right side, didn't cut out a section, and worked it around the shifter.

[@saabross3171]

@@allenrussell1947 Nice, yeah don't cut out a section! Just a cut & bend it apart til you get it around. Sounds like you nailed it! Amazing how something so simple really freshens up the interior

[@allenrussell1947]

@@saabross3171 it does, a few more cosmetics and it'll look as good as new. I'm pretty pleased with how it's looking.

[@joekristick6788]

Thanks much for the video. I was able to replace mine with the cheater method. Looks great.

[@roverguy78]

Thanks for posting this great DIY video! I went with the shortcut route, and it worked perfectly.

[@eacbank7977]

Yo Ross, I got the new shifter slighter thingy in thanks to you bud! Thanks for taking the time to make this detailed video. Cheers 🍻 btw your 9-5 Aero is beautiful.

[@saabross3171]

Thanks so much, she's def a keeper! Glad you were able to get yours done 🍻

[@wagsalotnow]

Great video, I like the detail and the way you explained everything. Thanks for sharing your expertise.

[@Jester123ish]

To anyone like myself who decides to cut the wires and solder in their own connectors, be sure to leave enough length to allow the wires to be fed through the hole in the shifter body before the shifter body is slide onto the gear lever shaft. Otherwise you'll have significantly less space to feed the connectors through and you might have to spend time filing the hole larger.... It would probably make sense to unsolder and resolder the existing wires if you don't have connectors, it's not all that often this will need doing.

[@saabross3171]

I vote adding the connectors whenever possible, but you're right: this is a once every few years type of job.

[@santiagoqr1]

PEOPLE, CAR HAS TO BE ON D (DRIVE) otherwise the torx screw will be hidden, took me a month to figure that one out.

[@ShepherdTeam6]

i got on the floor and saw the thread line up it took me a while

[@Fester3k]

Great job, Saab Ross! This is reaaaly useful YT video for Saab with automatic transmission owners :D

[@2steaksandwiches665]

Fantastic. The only issue that I had, that is my own fault, is the rubber surround that you have to first pull up. I peeled all around and apparently that broke it from the frame. I ended up just putting some silicone underneath and it looks fine but I wish I had followed your directions more closely. I did the shortcut road because I didn’t want to break anything more than I had to. LOL.

[@saabross3171]

Huh. Yeah that rubber is normally pretty forgiving; I just redid mine again yesterday. Glad you could avoid any more breakage! Spoiler alert: my next vid had plenty of breakage, but I think I'll upload it anyway so ppl can avoid similar mistakes 😉

[@johntan6813]

Thank you so much. it’s very helpful.👍🏻👏🏻😊

[@yam4896]

Thank you very much mate 👍

[@316automotive9]

Way to go Saab Ross! I used your method in the 9-3 Im restoing. See 316 Automotive S1E1.13 for entire center console. Maury

[@saabross3171]

316 Automotive you're restoring a 9-3?? Subbed

[@mcbainross247]

Thanks for the video, I replaced my Jalousie but snapped a plastic piece off and I am not sure where it came from. Was hoping to contact you and see if you could identify the piece.

[@saabross3171]

Which piece?

[@efilteau]

thank you !

[@joburke597]

Thanks for the video ... it was helpful. Only comment, speed it up.

[@saabross3171]

Thanks! Subsequent videos have been less "talking" and more "showing". Forgive me, as this was my first. Always hard to balance between a viewers patience, or lack of in your case, and delivering complete content.

[@scottdeffer674]

I am wondering about the pieces that broke off the Jalousie. They must have fallen into pit. Do they need to be retrieved? Will they cause any problems?

[@saabross3171]

Good luck retrieving them, you'd have to dissemble the entire consule to find them on the floorboard inside somewhere. Best to just replace, and no wont cause any issues bc the pieces are no longer in the slider

[@Cortinasinlatina]

Back in December I pulled back the carpet panels butting up to the transmission console in order to service the AC drain lines that run along the center console. I found pens, receipts, coins, the little rubber coin holder, and melted crayons. I do not think that the scraps from the jalousie will cause any harm.

[@sonny2402]

I want to add a jalousie as mine is gone - would you replace the bulb as well and what bulb is it if you know off the top of your head

[@jahvotaavetti]

Hi, i tryed the full way to change shifter blind and it was misstake. Now the shift trigger wont bounch anymore and i didnt see any helps on video? Any ideas is that worth to repair and how much it will cost? Somekind spring mechanism is there but what kind..

[@michellerussell8343]

do you know how to change the whole assembly on the 2006 saab 9-3

[@Jester123ish]

Buy another 2006 Saab 9-3?

[@erogogs3948]

Nice vid. But I am having a problem now with the light on that pad. It’s out, i mean it’s bot working. It could be that I touched somewhere where I shouldn’t or??

[@saabross3171]

Not likely since the lights are down in the white part, but you can replace the little bulbs while you have it all apart. They do burn out.

[@un-_-known688]

Thank you

[@glengadiano1922]

Followed your video steps to do the full replacement. During reassembly of the trigger/clip I noticed the spring for the shaft was no longer working. Can’t find anything on the web to show a fix. Any help to get the trigger spring to work would be greatly appreciated.

[@saabross3171]

Seems like the spring you need is part of #2 in the following diagram: www.esaabparts.com/viewparts.php?searchpart=1&section=34391952 I'd say call eSaabParts and see about getting the return spring directly. Just tell 'em I sent you and they're good about getting the part you need sorted out. I'm deferring to them here bc I've never personally experienced your issue, but I can see a probable cause.

[@jomi9858]

If I need to remove the shifter cable from the base of the lever, must I move down that lever too? I would appreciate any response.

[@saabross3171]

Yeah the shifter cable is a whole 'nother animal itself. It does attach to that lever but it feeds all the way thru the firewall to the transmission selector (assuming you meant the shifter cable and not, say the hood latch cable)

[@jomi9858]

@@saabross3171 oh! Thanks for your response! And yeah! That's what I was talking about, the gear shifter cable. I finally did it and as you say; that's an animal, and a very challenging by the way.

[@saabross3171]

@@jomi9858 Haha congrats on a job done! These older style Saabs the cable can break off of the transmission selector on the trans itself. Either you replace the cable or, there's a way to modify it permanently so it never breaks again

[@marccapuchino94]

Is the shifter letters supposed to have lights I can’t figure that out for my ‘99 Saab 9-5

[@saabross3171]

Yes indeed, there's a little bulb under there.

[@homoerotic85]

My selector lights are also out on my 2003 9³ SE Convertible could that be replaced while in there, or would you have to take more of the console out to replace those lights. Actually while I'm asking... the selector also doesn't notch thru each gear, it's like its sloppy it will go from park to neutral when you wanted to go to reverse you have to pay with it back and forth until it goes in the correct gear, it does have a notch or two, drive is notched (slightly) but it still seems weird getting it in... would you know why it would do that? Btw it doesn't wobble side to side only front to back. I'm thinking it may be an easy fix like tightening of cable or replace bushings but I'm far from a mechanic! Lol

[@saabross3171]

Yeah that light is a little bulb under the green strip that pulls straight up. It's a basic size you can get anywhere, just can't remember the number off the top of my head. 1156? And the gear skipping reverse that definitely sounds like the cable bushing on the trans needs to be replaced. I have a 9⁵ that does the same thing. There's a kit that let's you upgrade to a brass fitting for the 9³ that'll get rid of that slop when you shift into Drive.

[@homoerotic85]

@@saabross3171 Awesome awesome awesome... thanks so much!! That's exactly what I figured it would be. We just got the Saab about 2 weeks ago it basically fell into our lap a friend of a friend an elderly woman had a stroke and she could no longer drive and she wanted to get rid of it so it wasn't just sitting there. We got it for basically nothing, it's in great shape a few very minor things like the power mirrors don't work, the carbon fiber instrument panel trim is cracked, the front door or window speakers don't work (door speakers busted, and the window passenger side will cut in every now and then) - don't know if you would know anything about that? And then there is what I told you about the transmission but everything else is great. Btw its a 2003 9³ SE Convertible with sport package in Midnight Blue w/ Beige interior. We originally got it to restore it to look brand new then sale (it's only been driven 7k miles a year) but, ends up we fell in love with it and want to keep it lol. My family and I have only ever had new cars under warranty so I've never worked on a car in my life and it's actually fun! I think it's going to be my new hobby. Thanks again for your info.

[@saabross3171]

@@homoerotic85 That's so great to hear. Those 2003 SE verts are an interestingly unique year. They got all the old Viggen bits since it was the last, very last year of that body style, so basically you have an Auto vert but with the sport kit, carbon dash, and super comfy Viggen seats for far less than KBB values a regular old 9-3.

[@homoerotic85]

@@saabross3171 Yes! I LOVE the seats, the bolsters are amazing that's one thing that makes me love it. Would you have any clue were to find the carbon trim? I have looked everywhere and can't find any except cheap aftermarket that I doubt is real C.F. I seen a 02 Viggen but it had metal look trim so I'm not sure what years they had C.F.. It's cool she luckily kept the window sticker, it was right at $45k that's crazy!

[@bd8361]

needed to remove the console to replace the ignition control module and could not get the shifter handle off.Never seen that clip!

[@sdoberma]

Can you share the info about the phone holder in this video?

[@saabross3171]

It's a ProClip, made in Sweden. Search for ProClipUSA.com and they have quite a few Saab options, surprisingly.

[@kenship1972]

Thanks it helps

[@jackofalltrades12]

What's the actual name of that illuminator strip for the gear selector? I need to order that one too.

[@saabross3171]

It's called an indicator strip, part no. 4777553. It's no longer sold from Orio, unfortunately. I usually find good ones from junkyards, but you might find them online or Ebay still. Check RockAuto too.

[@lydiagallivan7076]

Does this part cause the car to not shift out of park?? My 2002 9-5 is only in park but won’t click into other gears.

[@saabross3171]

Have you tried pressing in that tab with a screwdriver as shown in the video?

[@MrGus.1]

I had a piece of the original Jalousie fall into the shifter mechanism and prevent the shifter from moving all the way into park. I highly recommend removing as much of the old pieces/parts as possible.

[@corygrober7368]

Is it difficult to line uo the necessary parts for the indicator light using the "easy method"?

[@saabross3171]

Eh. It's more annoying bc you're fighting the PRD321 cover, but completely doable. I tend to skip the easy method for that very reason though

[@corygrober7368]

@@saabross3171I have a 99

[@saabross3171]

@@corygrober7368 Then I feel your pain! Haha, mine is a '99 as well.

[@corygrober7368]

@@saabross3171 well the "easy method" seems to be very much doable, I just got the car from my aunt, she has taken amazing care of the car this one of the few peices that has broken and only just recently.

[@ShepherdTeam6]

Do you know where I can purchase the small metal piece that you had to use pliers for?

[@saabross3171]

www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts/55563304

[@lizastufflococucs6200]

Oh no I don't have a gearbox gap cover and dropped an ear bud in the pit of dispair.

[@jimhill8272]

JOWL Oh Sea is the correct pronunciation....lmao

[@saabross3171]

Haha as in your jowel's loosey? Why am picturing a grandma with a turkey neck? 🤣 Memory association lol; I'll remember the correct pronunciation now, I'm sure of it. Thanks for the laugh!

[@jimhill8272]

@@saabross3171 joulusie glass windows...older than grandma

[@lizastufflococucs6200]

Ja luh see is the correct way

[@jimhill8272]

@@lizastufflococucs6200 jowl lucy

[@jonathanconkle2246]

HA the saab shop in my town said the installation would take 2.5 hours lmao even without “cheating” it’s around 20min

[@Cortinasinlatina]

Tutorials like this one have made working on our Saabs a lot more enjoyable and having access to the ALLData repair manuals puts our personal labor value into perspective.

[@Tommy-gk6bh]

Welp, I dropped the retaining clip into the void

[@saabross3171]

Luckily you can order a new one, may take awhile since it looks like they're only in Sweden right now... www.esaabparts.com/saab/parts/55563304

[@ShepherdTeam6]

Guess who tried this and lost their retaining clip and snapped their sport mode wires 🙋‍♂️

[@saabross3171]

Hmmmm, who?? Haha luckily that retaining clip can be re-bought from esaabparts.com

[@ShinyRedGrapple]

Pronouced "jal-eh-see"

[@Clarkecars]

Pronounced: Jal-low-see

[@Cortinasinlatina]

Sounds like Pelosi or is the stress on the last syllable?

[@edwardtupper6374]

I thought jalousie was something people experience when they see you roll past in a Saab. Downhill, quietly, because it broke down again.

[@saabross3171]

Oh with the "sob" jokes, you better work on your material. A broken jalousie will not cause one to "roll downhill"...

[@richardlague8079]

Ja looooouuuusie????? not how it is pronounced.

[@richardlague8079]

JAL la SEE

[@saabross3171]

The proper pronunciation is Shifter Thingy. That is, unless you go by the Seinfeld / Gaffigan / VW Bus pronunciation from Comedians in Cars getting Coffee...

[@Cortinasinlatina]

@@saabross3171 It rhymes with Pelosi?