1996 saab convertible top fifth bow stops about halfway down when raising the top. I can hear a chattering sound like gears not quite engaging.

SOURCE: 1989 saab convertable top motor

the convertible top motor is underneath the upholstery in the rear trunk compartment underneath the package shelf.undo the upolstery clips and lower the cloth in the trunk exposing the motor and reservoir. make shure after motor replacement you refill the reservoir completely and cycle the top up and down a few times to purge the lines of air. otherwise you will have erratic top operation.

SOURCE: 1999 Saab 9-3 convertible. Motor

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.

SOURCE: 2001 saab 93 convertible top problem

If you lower the back seat you will see a plastic cover on the botom of the opening. Remove the cover (6 appolstry fasteners) to reveal a metal box. The box is not actually a box but a cover for the hydrolic pump. Remove the fscrews from the lid and lift. The resevouar is clear and easy to check against the two fill lines on the side.

SOURCE: I have a 2001 saab 9-3se convertible and the top

Is there fluid leaking out? look at the top rams on sides. You can manually lift your top through the sequence after it unlatches. Fold 5th bow up and raise tonneau and look at rams. Any leak is bad. I could also be low on fluid wich you check at the front edge of trunk, 2 holes 1 for flashlight 1 to ck level. Requires special fluid from saab, do not substitute!

SOURCE: green hydralic liquid coming from convertible top saab 2004 9-3

You are probably leaking hydraulic (ATF) fluid.
Check the lines and cylinders for leaks. Replace any leaking lines or cylinders. Always replace them in pairs.
When the leak is fixed...
Behind the rear seat is the motor/pump/reservoir.
With the top down, fill the reservoir with ATF.
Cycle the system a few times.
Repeat till the reservoir will accept no more fluid.
You can change it to a manual top by removing the bolt at the top of the cylinders and lowering the both shafts down into the cylinders.

Karl at topgunwon.com