Saab: 1988 900 Turbo, electrical starter, turning the key

Question
QUESTION: Recently, I started needing to push down as hard as possible on the clutch in order to get my Saab to start - literally, I had to move the seat further a bit so that I could get more down-pressure.  Two days ago, the car would only start if I didn't push the clutch as hard as possible but found a "sweet spot."  Yesterday, the car refused to start at all.  The clutch still has pressure, but it apparently is not engaging enough that the car starts (everything else seems fine -- electrical, starter, etc.).  I don't know what it is?  It would do this in the winter when it went under 40-degrees -- just simply not start, but there was never a problem once the outside temperature warmed up. Other than that, once the car starts it runs like an absolute charm.  Any input you can give would be greatly, greatly appreciated. Thanks!

ANSWER: Anne:
  Can you provide more detail regarding getting the SAAB to "start". For example, do you mean any of the following?
a. The starter "clicks" but doesn't turn the engine over upon turning the key to start position
b. There is absolutely no sound when you turn the key...no click, no cranking sound,etc.
c. The motor "turns over" but will not start

 Determining which of the above applies is vital to identifying the problem. And of course, any other detail regarding your problem should also be mentioned, however trivial it may sound to you. "All clues count!"
         Jerry

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Jerry.  Thank you so much for getting back to me.  The answer to your question is that there is absolutely no sound when I turn the key -- no clicking, cranking, etc.  It's like I'm not putting the clutch in all the way to engage the system to know it's okay to start.  All the electrical comes on, etc. but the car isn't sensing that the clutch is down.  

Thank you again for your help!

Answer
Anne:
  I am puzzled; on the 1988 model 900 there is NO connection between the clutch and starter, no electrical, no mechanical, WHATSOEVER!(at least on any SAAB I have ever worked on) While I certainly note your observations, I think that there is some 'strange' coincidence that is obscuring the real problem. To check the starter energizing circuit, please do the following:

a. Test for voltage (8 volts minimum)at terminal 50 of the starter solenoid. Terminal 50 is the smallest of the several terminals on the solenoid and is a push-on connection. If there is no voltage, test for voltage at terminal 50 of the ignition keyswitch, located between the front seats after removing the plastic console cover. Terminal 50 is clearly labeled at the switch. The key should be in the START position for each measurement.

 If there IS voltage at the first point, you need not go to the second one. In that case, voltage is reaching the starter,but not energizing it. The problem then is either in the starter or solenoid. Next measure for voltage at the thick lower solenoid terminal (going into the starter) (with the key in START). If voltage is there, then the starter needs to be replaced. If it reaches terminal 50 of the solenoid, but NOT into the starter, then the solenoid is faulty.

If there is NO VOLTAGE as above, then the problem is in the keyswitch. You can check this by jumping a wire between terminals 30 and 50 of the key switch. If the starter cranks with the jumper, then the problem is confirmed as being in the keyswitch.