Have you checked the ignition system? This is the first place to start
when you have wet-start problems.

I used to own an '81 GLE. Happy days.

Being an electrically-activated injector which by passes the metering
provided by other components, you should check the thermo-time switch and
make sure that's working properly since it controls whether or not the
cold-start valve receives power during the starting phase (otherwise the
engine could flood if it's warm and the thermo-time switch energises the
cold-start injector. The Bentley manual has good coverage of testing the
various part of the fuel-injection system so have a read and if you think
something isn't right, test it and be sure.

If the thermo-time switch checks out ok, try testing the cold-start injector
itself by undoing it's securing bolts and placing it (still connected to
it's fuel line) into a container and make sure it operates when you crank
the engine cold. If the injector doesn't expel any fuel, the cold-start
injector itself might be faulty but there are some checks you can do on it
to be certain. Also, you need to be sure that the cold-start injector has a
supply of fuel to it. Something in the fuel supply system could be wrong
(perhaps the fuel accumulator isn't holding pressure in the fuel supply line
from the tank) if the cold-start valve seems to be ok.

Best bet is to take the distributor cap off and make sure the rotor and the
cap are both ok. Clean them, and also make sure the rotor and the contacts
for each of the spark plug leads are not too badly pitted. Also check that
the distributor cap doesn't have any hairline cracks as that can be a source
of HV 'leakage' to earth.

If the car still won't start reliably after you have checked and cleaned the
HV section of the distributor, check the spark too. There is a procedure in
the Bentley manual for testing the spark's 'intensity' which can indicate
whether or not the coil might not be working properly.

I'm sure other people reading this newsgroup will come up with some good
ideas that I haven't thought of...

Craig.

Craig's C900 Workshop - http://www.saab900classic.net
Craig's Personal Saab page - http://lios.apana.org.au/~c900