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Looks like the auto transmission failed in my 2003 9-3 Linear with slightly over 35,000 miles on it (thank god it's still under warranty!)
It is on its way to the local Saab dealer to figure out what went wrong - I'll report back when I learn more.
Here is what happened. Started the car - temp around 40 degrees F. Immediately heard a high pitched whining/whirring sound - which sound modulated with RPM and persisted while driving. It was similar to the sound that the old Saab 900 NGs made immediately before the idler pulley failed.
Within 10 minutes after start up, and without any other notice other than the whining/whirring sound, "gearbox malfuntion" appeared in the SID while at highway speed and the transmission was rendered completely inoperable (hit the gas, engine revved up, transmission did nothing).
I coasted it to an off-ramp and pulled over. I shut off the engine and turned it back on - the transmission would operate for a few seconds, allowing me to drive a few feet and then was inoperable again - did not operate even in "limp mode." Using this start/stop technique, I was able to make it to the top of a hill and then I coasted it down hill to the first safe place I could find to pull it over and wait for roadside assistance.
It is one of the earlier 2003 models - with a VIN # that is within the range that Anders previously mentioned are prone to difficulty. I didn't check the fluid to see if it was cross-contaminated with coolant - I know that has been a sore spot with some.
Any other ideas/similar experiences?
posted by 67.134.9...
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