Saab 9.3 TiD Sport - how to drag car out of garage ?!

[Eebygumcaptain]

Hi,
This is my first post to the forum so I hope you can all help me with their weird car access challenge !

Situation
- my Father-in-law has Alzheimer’s and we have court approval to manage his affairs
- his lovely Saab 9.3 1.9TiD Sport has been locked in his garage for 3 years since he lost his licence and we have only just found the keys
- the car is not insured and is off the road
- the Car battery is dead and car locked
- the key fob batteries are both dead
- I know how to get the physical key out of the electronic key fob, but I understand this model does not have a physical key lock for the trunk, so I need to access the car from the passenger side.

The challenge !

- the car is parked so close to the garage wall on the passenger side that I physically cannot get down the side of the car. I have had to physically climb over the roof and lean down the side of the car to try and find the physical key hole on the passenger side (I couldn’t)
- but even if I could get the key on, the door would literally only open an inch (that is how close the wing mirror is to the garage wall)

The solution ?
The only solution I can think of is to physically drag/tow the car out of the garage (I assume the hand brake will be on) far enough to get access to the passenger door; then open the bonnet; recharge the car battery, new electronic fire batteries and re-sync the fob to the car.


My question is
- will I damage the car dragging it out ?
- is there another option (I guess I could smash the windscreen and get in that way, but it seems a bit drastic)
- would a professional car locksmith have another way to get in (there is just enough access to get down the drivers side but you have to climb over the side of the car to get to the trunk)

Odd first post but any help appreciated.

[Steve McF]

Hi and welcome to STT!!!!

sounds like you've got a bit of a challenge there. Can you not get into the driver's side, or is there a load of stuff in the way? I wouldn't smash any glass - but if you can get the car out, you may be able to get an auto locksmith to take a look. However, if you have the key, there should be a key blade within it, that should at least allow you to unlock and open the driver's door (once you can get to it).

Anyway, if you try and pull the car out as is, it will drag on the tyres - not an issue really as I suspect they would all be so flatspotted as to need replacing anyway. I suspect your brakes would be siezed too, but again, if getting the car running and back on the road later, that is something that could be sorted.

The danger if pulling the car out as is, is that it could drift to one side and hit the wall.

One thing you could try, if you can get round to the front of the car (and the back) is jack it up, and if you can get some GoJacks (wheel dollies), you could drop each of the wheels on one of them, and potentially push (or pull) the car out very carefully.

In terms of wheel dollies, I mean something like this:
https://www.sgs-engineering.com/catalog/product/view/id/2498/s/wd4000-450kg-wheel-dollies-set-of-four/?msclkid=7c7c8e289c8515bbccefeb70406fe0e1&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Bing_Shopping_SGS&utm_term=4581733690864288&utm_content=SGS

Hopefully some of the other fine members on here can also offer some suggestions.

How old is the Saab, and whats sort of condition is it in?

[carrera]

Dollies is what is required, and a trolly jack (also available from SGS) to lift the car up

I have a set and a half to play with 

If access is a real problem, then even two dollies will be a big help, but you will probably need a tow rope / car to drag the two remaining wheels on the ground. Hopefully if tthey are the fronts they are not at an angle, which will rule this option out

[sgould]

One possible option is to get under the car and put jump leads on the body and on the lead down from the battery to the starter solenoid. If you can do this the key fob may work. But if you have put new  batteries in the fobs they may not be recognised until you have put them in the ignition hole.

[edit]

I wrote the above while being driven up the M3.  Now I'm home and had a bit more of a thought.  When you get the car out of the garage, the key in the passenger door may still be in need of battery power.  The first turn will just operate an electric switch in the lock unit.  You will need to turn it further to operate the lock mechanically.  If it hasn't been used at all for many years, that bit may be very stiff and need some working to and fro.

It might be worth getting a locksmith with experience to try and prize the top of the door open enough with wedges so that you can grab the interior door top button and pull it up.

If you want to smash a window and you don't want to involve a windscreen fitter.  The little triangular window in the back door is a very expensive Saab part (£140 when i last looked), but relatively cheap as a used part (around £20 on eBay).  But get one in your hands first and make sure it's the right part and glass colour.  The glass is bonded to the frame, and the frame screws in place.

[Rickl]

Ifound this clip of how to open the bonnet if the cable is broken.  The technique may help you to open your bonnet.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/tSPItRbBCDA

Hope this helps.

Rick

Note - lots uf useful stuff on his Youtube channel.

[Audax]

If you want to smash a window and you don't want to involve a windscreen fitter.  The little triangular window in the back door is a very expensive Saab part (£140 when i last looked), but relatively cheap as a used part (around £20 on eBay).  But get one in your hands first and make sure it's the right part and glass colour.  The glass is bonded to the frame, and the frame screws in place.

Do not break those bits of glass! they turn into a real nightmare to get replaced. Front driver or passenger window is (typically) a lot easier, however speak to a local Saab specialist before breaking any glass.

I would suggest speaking to local car recovery companies, you can also get airbags to lift cars to get dollies underneath them and a local recovery company may have this. Or speak to a local Saab specialist, I have in the past powered up a car by removing a wheel and a wheel liner and breaking into the loom for the alarm box as it's got a permanent live feed which can help you unlock the car but it really depends on access.

If you want to DIY then I'd try to use dollies if you have access.

[Audax]

However, if you have the key, there should be a key blade within it, that should at least allow you to unlock and open the driver's door (once you can get to it).

The 9-3 only has a physical key lock on the left hand side, this is a problem in right hand drive markets. Don't ever park the car so you can't reach the passenger door if you have an RHD car. I've had to break into a few in the past because of this...