2001 93 Saab auto trans, engine won't turn but lights will, battery isn't bad. Only after i drive somewhere and the engine was previously running, not when the car has been sitting for a while

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stephen.luchko - 27 Dec 2006 18:52 GMT

I have a 2001 Saab 93. which is a standard trans. 4 times now, only
when i have driven somewhere, got out of the car to go shopping or
whatever for 15-20 minutes, i come back to the car and it will not
start. This never happens if the car has been sitting. It only happens
after i drive somewhere. What happens is the lights will turn on and I
will get display pannel also up and working, so i dont' think it's the
battery because the electric stuff does turn on, But the engine will
not turn on. Does this car have an ignition lock that i don't know
about and there is some trick to it? Or is there something more major?
Please help me or ask more question that i am forgetting. Eventually
the car does start up after like 25 times!!!

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Fred W - 27 Dec 2006 21:20 GMT

> I have a 2001 Saab 93. which is a standard trans. 4 times now, only
> when i have driven somewhere, got out of the car to go shopping or
[quoted text clipped - 7 lines]
> Please help me or ask more question that i am forgetting. Eventually
> the car does start up after like 25 times!!!

I can't say for sure about your '01, but for many older (mid '90's)
SAABs that is the very typical symptom of a bad ignition switch. The
electrical (switch contacts) part of the switch could be replaced on
those and the keyed mechanical part retained. Not sure if that is true
for yours.

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-Fred W

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spd6104 - 01 Jan 2007 22:35 GMT

Sounds like a bad Neutral Safety Switch on top of the tranny. I had the
exact same problem that would occur at least a couple of times per week.
I had the switch replaced two months ago and it's been perfect ever since.

Hello stephen.luchko,

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stephen.luchko - 03 Jan 2007 01:52 GMT

i think im an idiot, i was reading through my manual and if i hit any
button on the key when it is lock in the on position the car will start
regardless. I did that and it worked. I hope thats the onlye problem.
Has that every happened to anyone?

> Sounds like a bad Neutral Safety Switch on top of the tranny. I had the
> exact same problem that would occur at least a couple of times per week.
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
> > Please help me or ask more question that i am forgetting. Eventually
> > the car does start up after like 25 times!!!

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- Bob - - 03 Jan 2007 18:29 GMT

>i think im an idiot, i was reading through my manual and if i hit any
>button on the key when it is lock in the on position the car will start
>regardless. I did that and it worked. I hope thats the onlye problem.
>Has that every happened to anyone?

I have no idea what you are describing :-) but if you lock a Saab with
the remote then it will not start until you unlock it with a remote.

Perhaps that answers your question?

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