Gearbox problem

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Hello Saab fans,

I need your help again.
My car (1996 NG900 Turbo automatic) started to behave badly, especially the gearbox. The last year or so, it started to change gears a bit rough, especially from 1st to 2nd when cold. I changed the oil but it's no use, the changes are still rough.
Another problem with it, when the engine is cold and I stop at the lights, for example, if I brake sudden, the engine almost stalls, and sometimes it does stall. It seems to me that it doesn't disengage the gear, it remains stuck or something.
And finally, I have gearbox oil in the coolant system. I read on some sites that the gearbox oil pipes connect somehow with the radiator for the engine coolant, is that true ?

I visited several mechanics, and every single one told me that I need a new gearbox, or scrap the car because it's not worth the effort, moneywise.

What do you think is wrong with the gearbox ?

Any response is appreciated.

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As if the gearbox issues weren't enough, now I have another one aswell.
When I turn the ignition on, the dashboard lights dont't turn on as bright they should, they are very very dim, and the gauges remain down. If I fiddle with the key in the ignition, teh dash sometimes works as it should, but that happens less and less.
Finally, I drove the car with no lights on the dash, and it was very strange, it lacked power, and in D (drive), it was like a slipping clutch, I had to step hard on the gas pedal just to drive off. Now, I don't know if this has anything to do with the gearbox issues or it's just the ignition switch, or the ignition barrel. May be they are all with fault ?

I have owned the car for the last 4 years and, despite it's age, it was very reliable but it seems age has finally caught up with it

[Shazam]

Hmmm... sounds like a transmission problem, but I wouldn't rule anything out just yet. I had a similar problem (the engine shuttering when coming to a stop; as if the transmission did not want to shift down) a ways back. I solved it by cleaning the IAC, by suggestion of another member here. Just take it off and clean it with a bit of warm-hot water and a toothbrush. Also, how are your vacuum lines? Any of them drying out or cracked?

I don't know a solution for the dim lights or the other problems. Sorry about that.

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I did clean the IAC and the throttle body, it didn't appear to have any effect. The vacuum lines are ok, I check them regularly.

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The culprit for the dim lights problem was the ignition switch.
I managed to secure one from a friend who used to own several NG900s. The job of changing it, however, is not an easy one. It took me about 4 hours despite the fact that earlier this year I changed the heater core seals, another mammoth job.
Instructions on how to change the ignition switch can be found here:

17.06.2007: Saab NG900 Shifter Housing Removal - photo.platonoff.com

and here

Heat core removal

Still have the gearbox issue, but this success is very good for moral.