98 Saab convertible motor needs installation- I was informed it needs to be done at a dealership

The linkage has broken or fallen off the motor.

Some of the adjustment procedures (clearance between windshield and top) require shims and fabric removal. Also the cable adjustments require special tools. I have included all adjustable procedures below. If you cannot get the top adjusted into specification with these procedures, you will need to take the vehicle to the dealership.

Here are the adjustment procedures:

A soft top cover fore-and-aft and lateral adjustment

The soft top cover can be adjusted fore-and-aft, laterally and vertically. The adjustment is done to provide a pleasant appearance and a correct fit between the body and the boot lid.

Custom Car parts
The different adjusting points are detailed below. The order in which the adjustments are done depend entirely on the soft top cover adjustment when the work begins.

You need to hook up the car to the factory tool, and check for codes. I think the lower limit for the main or 5th bow potentiometer needs to be adjusted. lots of service information at www.saabservices.com in the convertible top section

There's a red lever behind the rear passenger seat, fold down the rear seats to the trunk and you'll see it. Pull the lever down, and this should disengage the convertible motor. You should now be able to move the top up or down with some resistance against the hydraulic fluid left in the lines.

Your tonneau motor is probably bad, though reprogramming the limits may fix it. You will need the factory tool, unfortunately. There is a lot of information on this webpage. Be sure to read the information relating to updates on 1995 models.

the rear of the top under the back window is drawn down into place and latched by its own motor that simply pulls or pushes two rods. If the motor stopped moving for whatever reason, simply fold down the back seat, reach your arm through the little access at the top of the boot on the drivers side and pop the rods out of place and latch/unlatch manually. this takes a flashlight and some inspection time to do at first if you dont know what your feeling for.

i have the same problem with my 98 900s

The belt ratcheting mechanism is knackered. I have tried twice to fix this problem and simply could not do it. My ultimate solution was to buy a used belt from Goldwing Saab in NY and install that. It is about a 35 to 40 minute job in the verts.

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.

"check latches" comes across my screen when trying to lower my convertible top on my Saab 900

you both should try to call dealership about recalls of this top.
i saw several recalls for it.