Ignition Switch Cylinder removal instructions - Saab 9-5

[Ricky Westgate]

How do I release the automatic from Park position as I cannot turn the lock ?

[Finding41]

Put your foot on the break and push the rectangular button down by the shifter. I think you need to lift the thing on the shifter as normal.
If that doesn't work... Work on being able to turn the lock.
Take the cover off by twisting it clock wise to about 2oclock and lift up. That exposes the cylinder. I'd get some compressed air or some type of penetrating lube in there and play with it. If you blast air in after the liquid cover that area with a few rags and hold on to them. You don't want that stuff on the ceiling.

[Waxa]

How do I release the automatic from Park position as I cannot turn the lock ?

There should be a little slot for your key next to the shifter ( there is for my 95), put key in and use shifter as normal . You can put into nutral but won't be able to turn steering wheel

[Finding41]

The slot is right in front of the P. beside the shifter on the middle console.

[Ricky Westgate]

Still struggling and jiggling to turn the key at least to remove the barrel. This is a 2001 Auto 95.

[Ricky Westgate]

Finally my 95 is on the road... The trick with disengaging the auto from park was to disconnect the cable under the hood and turn the auto one notch.
As far as the ignition switch it went to my mechanic at JB Prestige who demolished the barrel, reset the barrel, recoded and back for the smooth, powerful Saab drive.
Thanks all for your input, very helpful.

[Schmeeze]

I have followed the procedure outlined by Frank for cleaning the ingition switch. I removed the ignition cylinder, cleaned...but am having trouble re-installing. Basically, the clyinder does not seem to want to go past the point at which the release cam on the cylinder meets up with the notch on the cylinder wall. In other words, do you need to use the allen wrench to somehow push in on that cam release in order to re-install. I am having a harder time getting it to go back in that I did removing it. Please advise. Thanks much.

[Finding41]

Is the key in it? I think it has to be.
Are you inserting it in the off position? I think that is how I did it.
The lock part that you had to push in with the allen key has a sloped side. That should be facing down so it can slip in as you push down. Check that the locking tab pushes in easily.
Also check the alignment of the slot at the bottom of the hole. Line up the tab on the bottom of the cylinder.

[nordwulf]

Are you reinstalling the cylinder with the key in it and in the OFF position? I don't think it will install without the key. It should go in easy as far as I remember.

Edit: Finding beat me to it...!

[Schmeeze]

Thanks Finding41 and Frank. I will try it tonight after work again. The key is in, it is in "off" position.....but not 100% sure the cylinder is perfectly aligned with slot at bottom of switch.