My convertible top will not latch to the tonneau when up and the tonneau latch will not hook when down

Sometimes on convertibles when this happens you can press down on the rooftop of the car where the latch is and it will help to unlock this can happen especially when the car and the temperature is cold

Manually Moving the Folding Top from the Down Position
Important: Allow the system a minimum of four minutes to bleed down pressure after the last cycle.
Manually release the folding top cover latch using the emergency release cable.
Raise the folding top stowage cover.
Manually raise the folding top, holding the 5 bow up.
Manually lower and latch the folding top stowage cover.
Manually unfold the top and latch per normal procedure.

Manually Moving the Folding Top from the Up Position
Important: Allow the system a minimum of four minutes to bleed down pressure after the last cycle.
Manually release header latch per normal operation.
Manually lift front of roof off of the header and raise the #5 bow at the same time.
Manually release the Folding Top Cover latch using the emergency release cable.
Fold the roof down into the well.
Manually close and latch the folding top stowage cover.

Power Folding Top System Components
The power folding top system consists of the following components:
• Folding top control (FTC) module
• Body control module (BCM)
• Folding top control switch
• Serial data communication
• Folding top cover latch actuator
• Folding top cover pull down actuator
• Folding top pump motor with valve manifold
• Position switches and limit switches:
- Pin receiver switch
- Luggage barrier switch
- Folding top cover open switch
- Top open switch
- Top closed switch
- 5 bow raised switch
- 5 bow lowered switch
• Tonneau release relay
• TONNEAU PULL DOWN ACTUATOR Fuse 20 A
• TONNEAU RELEASE Fuse 10 A
• BATT 2 Fuse 40 A
• REAR FOG/ALDL TOP SW Fuse 10 A
• Folding top mechanical components:
- Folding top
- Folding top cover
- Folding top valve 1
- Folding top valve 2
- Folding top valve 3
- Hydraulic lines and cylinders

Folding Top Cover Latch Actuator
The power folding top system includes a folding top cover that is powered open and close by a hydraulic system that is controlled by the FTC module. A power unlatch motor is used to unlatch the folding top cover before the folding top control (FTC) module powers the top cover open. The folding top cover unlatching is requested by the FTC module via class 2 message, but is executed by the body control module (BCM). When requested, the BCM applies battery voltage through the folding top cover release relay control circuit to the tonneau release relay. The relay is energized and battery voltage is applied through the folding top cover release control circuit to the latch actuator. The actuator is energized and the latch releases the folding top cover.

The electronics on this are very complex ,

System Operation
Before any movement of the power folding top is allowed, the folding top control (FTC) module must be aware of the following conditions:
• Unlatch the header. The FTC module reads the pin receiver switch is Inactive.
• The windows must be normalized. Refer to Power Window Reinitialization.
• The ignition must be placed in Accessory or RUN.
• The transmission must be placed in PARK, or with manual transmission, the park brake must be applied.
• Trunk status must not be ajar.
• The luggage barrier must be in place.
• The pump motor temperature must be within the operating range.

After the last cycle of power folding top operation, allow the hydraulic system a minimum of 4 minutes to bleed down before attempting manual operation of the top.
Your best bet take and have it checked for DTC'S - diagnostic trouble codes .
DTC B3666 Rear Tonneau Position Error
DTC B3667 Tonneau Release Circuit
DTC B1011
DTC B1291
DTC B1420
DTC B3602
DTC B3666
DTC B3667
DTC B3670
DTC B3971

Release both motors, remove the plastic cover located in the middle of the top inside. Put a hex bit in your cordless drill and unscrew in reverse until the top latches are released from the top.
Then it basically takes two people to fold back the top. Unfortunately with a fully automatic top you likely won't be able to engage the tonneau so don't plan on driving on the highway.

As a general rule vinyl tops shrink over time due to hot temperatures, the only thing you may be able to do is park it inside a warm garage, put the top up and place a block with some weight on it at the top, and let it sit like that for a couple of hours, the heat will help it to stretch a little, i do however see a new top in your near future. Hope this helps, let me know

You could check the top latch position sensor and convertible top control module....if the motors are fried replacing them is very expensive....

I just went through HELL because my top would not go down! I did EVERY possible solution with NO AVAIL! So anyway, Im in the trunk and noticed a baggy sack hanging in the trunk.. So I figured it was for the roof.. Anyway the sack has 2 straps to hold it up for more room when the top is UP. So I said "I Wonder...." I released the straps and the bag hung again, and GUESS WHAT? Yea the roof works!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There are numerous technical service bulletins issued for the top. The list with the full TSBs is here.

There is a manual release behind the rear seat on the passenger side. Pulling it releases the tonneau motor plate away from the gears, allowing top to be raised and lowered manually.Once this release is used, the back bottom edge of the top will never seat against the tonneau again until the top is repaired.

The 94-98 Saab 900 cars have numerous top issues that are known. The primary issue is the design of the convertible top Tonneau motor that is located in the right rear quarter panel behind the light. The problem with the original motors was that there was not enough strength in the housing that held the motor to support the top movement because the teeth on the gear drive would get chewed up when the motor moved out of position. The failure of the Tonneau motor causes the top to chatter about half way up or down because the teeth of the motor gears would get chipped off. Replacement of the gears or replacement of the motor is the only repair and the convertible top Control module must be programmed after the repair by someone with a Saab Tech 2 computer tool which is used to program the top potentiometer settings. If you catch this problem early enough it can be repaired by using the bracket reinforcement kit.
Check latches is also a common failure which displays on the Saab Information Display (SID) Generally, this failure is due to problems with the micro-switch located in the latches that secure the convertible top when up.
Another issue with the convertible tops has been the control module that controls the top electronically. The major problem with this is device is that it looses the ability to communicate with the Saab tech 2 tools. This problem appears to have been solved in the newest versions of the ECM.
This TSB covers the known issues with NG 900 vert tops. There are numerous others for the 9-3 tops.

After a manual raise or lower of the convertible top using the red latch behind rear seat....Gap in cover near window right ? Unhitch the cover on the passenger side rear near gas tank and inside you'll see the convertible motor. The rear level disengages the motor so you can move the top manually. Snap the motor back into place and then push the top control to fully close the top eliminating the gap. Then you'll have to find out why it stopped in the first place.