Soft top operation, brief description: Description

WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2011 Saab 9-3 and 2010 Saab 9-3. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.

The soft top is opened and closed using a hydraulic unit and seven hydraulic cylinders. The system is operated with a switch on the instrument panel or a remote control. The movement of the soft top is controlled by the STC (Soft Top Controller).

The position the soft top is in is detected by sensors integrated in the hydraulic system, soft top mechanism and windscreen frame. Information from each sensor is received by the STC. The soft top is controlled sequentially, which means that each soft top movement must be completed before the next one can start.

The STC, which controls the pump and valves, must receive confirmation of the various movements from the sensors and switches within a certain time period. When one such condition is not fulfilled, all movement will cease and STC will generate an error message sent via the bus and shown on SID (Saab Information Display).

The hydraulic unit, which is mounted in the right-hand side of the luggage compartment, comprises an electric hydraulic pump and a valve block. The hydraulic valves are located in the valve block and control the flow of fluid to the hydraulic cylinders.

There is no pressure in the system when the soft top is completely closed or completely open. When the ignition is turned off, the pump will stop and the valves will return to their positions of rest. If work is being carried out with the soft top half raised, it must always be secured with a support to prevent it falling down.

The soft top mechanism and soft top cover can be operated in emergencies to enable manual closing in case of a failure in the electric-hydraulic system.