WHITE SMOKE COMING IN VENTS INSIDE CAR. SMELLS LIKE SOMETHING ELECTRICAL BURNING. 1996 SAAB 900 SE. ROOF LEAKS WHEN RAINS INFRONT OF LATCH RELEASE COMES DOWN TOP WINDOWS, BASICALLY FRONT PART OF THE CAR.

I suspect the drain is blocked. I would clear the drain vent to stop it overflowing.

take it back and tell them

have an accredited ac shop as an ac cannot produce hot air only cold air so that means that the ac is not working (leaks low on gas etc). The hot air is from the heater in the car and the smell is probably wire overheating or the resistors are burning.

Here's a video Dan Hooper suggested as a solution to your problem from YouTube:


Opening Hood with Broken Release Cable

It is either steam from the cooling system and will have an odor, or is frost from the a/c system due to a system that is restricted and freezing up. Or you car is on fire. If it smells like smoke, run or you will die from smoke inhalation or burning to death.

This is strongly indicative of either a failed cabin heater core or to the coolant lines servicing it, causing a leak. The smoke would therefore be steam. There is no other possible way for antifreeze to get into the vents.

If the smoke really is smoke though and the smell is burning plastic then disconnect the battery negative terminal and get an auto-electrician in to check the situation, as you're at risk of a fire.

To fix the heater is a really labour intensive and fiddly job as virtually the whole dash and crash pad has to come out. If it's an electrical issue then there may be a relatively simple fix, or if the heater blower motor needs replacement then it's almost as major as for replacing the heater core. If you're looking at a professional repair of that magnitude it will likely not make economic sense: depending on the climate they live in some owners just have the heater core permanently disconnected by fitting a bypass to the supply pipes under the hood.

The good news is that there is a Haynes manual for your model which will be of immense help if you wish to save hundreds of pounds/dollars via DIY and there is an active and very useful Saab Owners' Club.

sharp acidic smell would be electrical
sweet smell would be coolant.

Did you solve this problem? I have exactly the same issue with my convertible 97 900 particularly in this bad weather anyone in the front seats can expect to get soaked ! I would be grateful for any advice

have you checked your converter on the exhaust

You are describing a major coolant(anti-freeze) leak. Look for the source. Did engine temperature start to climb before the noise? Was the engine at operating temperature(if yes, rules out stuck shut thermostat)? White steam could have been sucked in from under the hood in through the air vents,
If coolant is on floor inside car, look at heater core or hoses leading to it for leaks.
If coolant is on ground, look at upper and lower radiator hoses, heater hoses, radiator, coolant expansion tank. Less likely: water pump. Least likely: freeze out plugs.
Causes: hoses and or hoses may be old (car is 12 years old-have they ever been replaced?)