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 New 95 niggles...it won't give me the key back!

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T O P I C    R E V I E W
Glenda95Posted - 14 May 2012 : 16:56:51
Hi all. I'm new to the forum and just as new to V4 ownership having recently bought Glenda - a 1974 (N) Saab 95 in Verona Green (so very similar to John's Veronica although Glenda's not as well presented!) there's more info about the history of the purchase in the Veronica forum where I have just posted.

So...although Glenda runs (and starts first time every time so far), is driving well apart from a very elusive 3rd gear for the first day (more a case of me getting used to column change I think), and has done a few trips around and about including some faster A roads, there are a few niggles which I was hoping people on here might be able to shed some light on:

1. When warm, reverse gear often crunches...I have been stopping the engine and putting it into reverse to avoid any damage although I've spied a very useful forum all about this issue already so that question is on it's way to being answered...

2. It's got the ignition key and it won't give it back (and yes I've put it into reverse-I'm not that new to Saabs!)This didn't happen at first and at the moment it's garaged so its not a huge problem but soon it will be leaving on the drive and as neither of the doors lock I would kind of like some piece of mind (however I'm sure the column shift gears are a theft deterrent/immobiliser to an extent)

3. The doors don't lock (although the boot does) is this an easy fix or not?

4. Sometimes I struggle to get 2nd and 3rd gear (I do wonder if this is an operator issue rather than the car though) should column shift take some getting used to bearing in mind the oldest car I've ever previously driven is an 1990 Mini although the gear change on that was like a stick in a bucket of sand.

5. Lastly it recently had a new clutch (genuine Saab) fitted by the ex-Saab dealer/mechanic that I bought it from - he mentioned it would probably need adjusting after some use. I wonder if this could answer all of my above problems (bar the door locks) although I don't know how to adjust a clutch and although I have a SAAB garage manual it's very in depth and detailed and I could do with getting the whole walking thing sorted before running as far as my mechanical challenges are concerned...I could do with a Haynes with some pictures (I'll keep an eye on ebay) or a friendly expert.

So far that appears to be all of the issues I have found so any input would be helpful...in fact just some reassurance that selling our 98 9-3 convertible to buy a Saab V4 for similar money wasn't a daft idea would be lovely!

Cheers, Dave.

1974 SAAB 95 - 'Glenda' (Verona Green)
13   L A T E S T    R E P L I E S    (Newest First)
OWENPosted - 21 May 2012 : 23:31:42
Dave,
To get the ignition key out it should be just a question of moving the gear lever upwards (or downwards) as you twist the key. Soak it in WD40 first. Try it a few times pushing it as far up as it will go while still in reverse and it should come out.

The easiest adjustment of the gear linkage IMHO is adjusting the position of the gearbox relative to the chassis. There's a tie rod going from the side of the gearbox to the body. Just adjust that a bit longer or shorter and see if that improves things.

Clutch adjustment is easy and is described many times elswhere in this forum.

Doorlocks are a bugger but can be an easy fix. Just unclip the doorcards and remove the handles complete with cylinders, then feck about for ages with them; great fun! You should be able to get at least one working.
WoodyPosted - 14 May 2012 : 22:38:24
Welcome Dave,
If you have a Saab workshop manual, you shouldn't need anything else. That said I have 3 W/s manuals and 3 Haynes..something about anally retentive. Good to see you have joined the happy band.
Unfortunately locks are one of the V4's weakest points. Occassionally new locks turn up, but they tend to be the early upto 1969 type which require different handles and different internals to the door. Some off us have stripped our locks and on occassion, have got the bits back in the right order to find it still doesn't work, try again and it works. There is a major shortage of some components which would help recover a lot of locks.
Difficulty in getting your key out may have something to do with the "Twist Stop" on the gear linkage shaft. I have never had a V4 later than 1972, so have little experience with it, but the manual suggests the twist stop must be slackened before any column adjustments are attempted. Once the column is adjusted and all gears can be correctly selected then the twist stop must be realigned and locked off otherwise key operation could be impaired. I would like to get my hands on a later column to have a play with.
As others have suggested you are new to column changes and I can remember the difficulties I had back in 1970, moving from a stick shift. Accentuate the H and only use two fingers, and you will see how easy it is.
How many miles have you done since the clutch was changed?
There has been some discussion about crunching reverse selection when warm, but in your case I think it is likely to be linked to your linkage problem.
With the engine running can you engage all gears whilst stationary with the clutch depressed?
Is there any evidence that the car wants to move once a gear is engaged suggesting the clutch is not fully disengaged?
Looking forward to seeing some pics of "Glenda".
john-saabPosted - 14 May 2012 : 21:18:06
The Haynes has limited info but enough to use when you are away from the computer and this site

'72 95 (The Flying Banana),'72 96 (Bridget),'74 95 (Veronica)
Glenda95Posted - 14 May 2012 : 20:43:53
Cool. thanks for all the info...and I've not even been posting for 12 hours yet! I'll get involved and have a play with locks and clutch adjustment and in the mean time look for a haynes as I'm sure that will give me some confidence to get on and have a go. This is a great resource for the DIY V4er...looks like I'll be around quite a bit!

1974 SAAB 95 - 'Glenda' (Verona Green)
john-saabPosted - 14 May 2012 : 20:02:49
If the barrel has come out then the screw has fallen out of the back of the lock..remove the door cards and you may find it needs nothing more than putting back together!

'72 95 (The Flying Banana),'72 96 (Bridget),'74 95 (Veronica)
Glenda95Posted - 14 May 2012 : 19:47:29
That link was really useful thanks...and I hadn't found it yet (I was still busying my research on the 18 pages of forums related to clutches!)
The barrels on both sides turn but don't lock, nor can i press the interior button down to lock the door. Another bit of info is that the whole barrel came out of the passenger door on the end of the key one time when i was playing...they seem far from sorted and look rather complicated little things.

1974 SAAB 95 - 'Glenda' (Verona Green)
pchristyPosted - 14 May 2012 : 19:32:59
The key in my 95 sometimes sticks a bit, but usually a bit of a wiggle of the gear lever releases it! On my 96, the reverse lock has been disabled - presumably for this very reason!

There are several adjustments on the steering column gear shift. The main one is to get the mechanism centered so that 3/4 and reverse are all available at the same time. This involves sliding the console with the ignition switch on it backwards and forwards until you get it right! Then there is the reverse lock spring, which I've never had to adjust, but may have some bearing on your problem. And I think there is also some kind of adjustment for the lock itself - again, I've never had to mess with that.

You need to get the main adjustment right first, but it sounds as if your selection problems could be down to unfamiliarity with column shifts. Don't worry! After you've been driving it for a few weeks, it wil become second nature, and you'll wonder why people still bother with a crazy floor shift!

I'll see if I can scan the pages from the manual and put them up tomorrow.

Can you be more specific with the door lock problem? Does the key turn but have no effect, or is the key not turning?

I put up a thread a short while ago about one of my door locks not working properly, and how I fixed it. There's a thread with photos here somewhere......

http://www.saab-v4.co.uk/speedball/topic.asp?topic_id=2840

--
Pete
"Duct tape is like the Force: It has a light side and a dark side, and it binds the Universe together!"
Glenda95Posted - 14 May 2012 : 19:31:04
the latter....keys turn both barrels as though they should lock but they don't. I can't lock passenger door from inside either by pushing button down...should I be able to?

1974 SAAB 95 - 'Glenda' (Verona Green)
john-saabPosted - 14 May 2012 : 19:13:52
In what way do they not work..key just won't fit or key goes in and you can turn the barrel but nothing happens?

'72 95 (The Flying Banana),'72 96 (Bridget),'74 95 (Veronica)
Glenda95Posted - 14 May 2012 : 19:02:49
Thanks for that...I guess I need new locks then? or is it a case of having the existing ones played with by a locksmith? cheers, Dave

1974 SAAB 95 - 'Glenda' (Verona Green)
mellePosted - 14 May 2012 : 18:51:15
Welcome aboard and congratulations with your excellent choice! Had a Verona green '74 95 myself, colour suits the model just right somehow.

quote:
Originally posted by Glenda95
3. The doors don't lock (although the boot does)
Better than the other way round! Hard to find a decent boot handle and lock these days.

1970 96V4 "The Devil's Own V4"
1977 95V4 van conversion project
1988 900i 8V
Glenda95Posted - 14 May 2012 : 17:25:33
Hi John,

Thanks for the warm welcome. Sounds like I'm on the right path already then...I've started playing catch up with all the thousands of informative and interesting forums and posts and noted the info on adjusting the gear shift at the steering wheel end. I had a very good wiggle of both key and gear shift and it hasn't worked although it previously wouldn't come out and then did after a few more trips and is now staying put again which indicates some adjustment should sort it.

I guess I just need to get involved and have a go...it's just a bit daunting...I feel lie I've inherited a bit of history now that it's arrived. I need to remember I bought it to have fun with and learn how to tinker with engines.

Talking of looking after it...Do you know of people who keep their cars outside? Is it a bad idea?

Cheers,

Dave

1974 SAAB 95 - 'Glenda' (Verona Green)
john-saabPosted - 14 May 2012 : 17:14:12
Hi Dave and welcome to the forum.
After a few posts you will be able to post a pic or two of your excellent choice
It would be worth typing gear selection into the search pages..grab a cuppa and go through the pages and pages of Q&A's regarding this subject..it seems to be one of the hottest topics with V4's and something almost every V4 owner knows.
There isn't a single answer..just a series of tests to try out before presuming the worst..and it's usually something simple.
RE the key..it's a bit of an arm full but while wiggling the gear lever in reverse at the same time wiggle the key..it should come out and it sounds like your gear colum will need a bit of adjusting..again there are plenty of references to this on this site.
Again welcome.
John.

'72 95 (The Flying Banana),'72 96 (Bridget),'74 95 (Veronica)

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