NO START INTERMITTENT (NUETRAL SAFETY SWITCH)

Thanks to mike kibler for contributing to this FAQ!

Intermittent no start: I have a 2001 9-3 with intermittent start problem - you turn the key to start, all of your interior/exterior lights work fine but nothing happens under the hood! 5, 10, 30 minutes pass and then
it will start. Check the neutral safety switch. This component bolts onto the top of your transmission and lets the car know if it is in park, neutral, etc. If it doesn't think you are in either P or N, then guess what, no electricity gets to the starter. Try cycling your gear selector a bunch of times to see if you can then get it to start in either P or N. In trying to diagnose my problem, I have changed the starter relay, and the electrical portion of the ignition- no luck. It should take a mechanic slightly more than 1 hour to do the labor or DIY with the instructions provided on this site.

Thanks to Steven Davis for contributing to this FAQ!

I also had the problem with intermittent no start. I replaced the battery first then the starter, and finally the ignition switch. I still had the
problem. I bulked at the idea of changing out the Neutral safety switch because of the cost. I wanted to try every other option first. As I was
going through a dry run of changing out the Neutral safety switch, seeing what I had to disassemble to get to it, I decided to disconnect the 'AMP'
connector. I did notice a lot of white chalky substance, a sure sign of oxidization. I used an electrical cleaner and scrubbed the male connector
side with a brass brush. It's been a month now and I haven't had a no start since. I think the wrong connector was used for this application. They
should have used a gold plated connector instead of a tin plated connector with better seals against the environment especially this close to the
battery. It's important to not underestimate the connectors role in the electrical scheme of this circuit. Most mechanics would dismiss this as
futile. It worked for me. It is certainly worth a try.

Thanks to JW Ehrlich for contributing to this FAQ!

This ones funny NO-START;SPECIAL NOTE>To all Saab Owners;In order To Diagnose N.S.Switch,Intermit..No-start-Condition-HOT-ONLY!!During winter season?
Cover the switch (located on top of trans housing,just to the left of the vehicle Battery) With SNOW,Possibly..as many as 3 to 4 times! or...Pour cold
water on switch!Close the hood,(Bless the car..Optional) Then start the car!This works..due to the law of physics! Furthermore;FYI>If you've failed
to clean the connector or replace the-N.S.S. Chances are you will fall victim to...No-start-Cold!!..In that case...Lightly Tap on the Top of the
switch,with something,such as a snow-brush,(And of course try to start the vehicle (This Usually happens after HOT-ONLY Condition gets worse)...And of course..FOR Info..beyond this point..Consult your local (AAA) OFFICE.