ignition not locking and draining battery

[jodyd]

my battery was drained the last few times I tried to start my car.  I took it for diagnostic to a neighbourhood mechanic and he told me that the ignition was not moving fully into lock position therefore my battery is draining because functions are not shutting down.  He did not want to try and fix it because he said he could potentially damage it further and then I would need a new ignition assembly and there are no longer saab dealers to reprogram the new key?  I am a woman and do not understand much about this.  I am trying to decide whether I should just sell the car as is at this point or if I should bring it a mechanic who is familiar with Saabs.  Does anyone know how much this might cost and if it is worth it?  I appreciate any advise.

Jody

[Audax]

Take it to a mechanic who is familiar with Saab and seek their advice, if your local guy can't/won't fix something like this then I wouldn't be too sure of his abilities. From the problem you described you won't need any new keys so you won't need any programming. The ignition switch is a relatively simple part to replace.

[jodyd]

thanks for the advise.  This helps a lot.

[Audax]

One other point, even though Saab no longer exists as a company you can still get the parts and you can still get them programmed, not that you should need such a thing for this problem. I'd get someone else to give an opinion who can fix it.

[sgould]

Welcome!

Does the centre of the lock "pop up" when you remove the key?  It should come up about an eighth of an inch. If it doesn't the interior lights may stay on and other stuff. If that's the problem it could just need a clean.

If you can tell us roughly where you are based, someone may be able to recommend a Saab specialist near you. Saab Parts did not go into liquidation!  So parts are available. And there are a lot of specialist approved repairers about. 

[jodyd]

it is not clicking into the lock position, and therefore lights, etc are draining battery.  I am in Toronto and there are only 2/3 mechanics that work with Saabs.  Can I clean it myself and see if this works?  as it is now, I have to disconnect the battery when I turn off the car and this is not really all that convenient.  How do I clean it?

[sgould]

This is the method for cleaning the lock barrel.  The electrical switch is lower down and not something I would tackle.  But removing the lock barrel, is not too bad.  The pictures are for a 9-5, but the lock is the same for the 9-3 up to 2002. 

http://blog.saab9-5.com/?p=23

If that doesn't work, then I think you will have to place yourself in the hands of a Saab garage.  I'm UK based, so I don't know anyone in Canada!