# 1998 Saab 900s manual transmission-key stuck

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Created:** [October 9, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549 "2008-10-09T03:15:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Momster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Momster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Momster)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 3:15am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549/1 "2008-10-09T03:15:37Z")

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My 1998 Saab 900’s key will not release from the ignition. This happened a few times in the past and I was able to get it out, but now it will not come out at all. Does anyone have a suggestion on what might cause this? and how do I get my key unstuck? Thank you in advance for any help. Momster

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549/2 "2008-10-09T05:13:25Z")

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You either have a problem with a worn tumbler (part the key fits into) or a problem in the console linkage underneath the cover. This is not an uncommon problem for SAABs due to the location of the ignition switch.

There’s not a miracle fix for this. You’re going to have to see a locksmith, a good import repair shop, or quite likely the SAAB dealer unless you’re mechanically inclined. Some SAABs can be a bit of an aggravation when it comes to ignition switch repairs.

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**Author:** ![Momster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c57346/32.png) [@Momster](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Momster)\
**Post date:** [October 9, 2008, 11:27pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549/3 "2008-10-09T23:27:51Z")

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Thank you so much for the information. Very helpful.

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**Author:** ![ok4450](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ok4450](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ok4450)\
**Post date:** [October 10, 2008, 1:16am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549/4 "2008-10-10T01:16:11Z")

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Some of the earlier model SAAB 900s were a real pain in the neck when this problem developed as it required the removal of the passenger side seat and a special tri-cornered wrench to remove the ignition switch console; not to mention groping around in the impossible to access firewall area to drive out the shifter linkage roll pin.

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**Author:** ![girlcar99](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/girlcar99/32/1020_2.png) [@girlcar99](https://community.cartalk.com/u/girlcar99)\
**Post date:** [November 1, 2008, 2:16pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/1998-saab-900s-manual-transmission-key-stuck/20549/5 "2008-11-01T14:16:50Z")

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I don’t mean to state the obvious, but you DO have the car in Reverse when you are trying to take the key out?