Saab Key Programming
Saab cars built since about 1994 have an immobilizer feature built on coded keys. In order to add a second key, it requires the purchase of a new transponder as well as special programming. This is usually handled by the dealer using the Tech2 diagnostic tool.
It can be costly. This is why you should always have a spare key available.
Transponder key
The transponder key is a piece of hardware equipped with an electronic chip. It transmits a signal to the car when it is placed in the ignition. The car will then check the signal to determine whether it is identical to the one on the key. If the signals match, the car will open and start. This is a great method to deter auto theft and keep your vehicle secure from thieves.
Transponder keys are a favored feature in vehicles, but you should be aware that they aren't as secure as traditional keys made of metal. While the metal portion of a traditional key could be cut and copied, a transponder is protected by an electronic chip. The chip has a unique code that is encoded into the car's system to identify it.
The car will recognize the Saab keyfob and permit it to turn on. However, it will only do so if the key fob has a non-modified chip that has been programmed to match the original. The car won't start when the key isn't programmed to match.
It is essential to have an extra Saab key. This is especially true if you reside in a rural location that has many car thieves. The good part is that you can get a replacement key for your Saab without needing to visit a dealership and pay the high prices they ask. In most instances, you can get a brand new key made right on the spot for less than half the cost of what you'd pay at a dealer.
Wired key
Saab cars are usually delivered with two keys. If you only have one, it is recommended to purchase an extra key fob as soon as possible as if you lose it, your car will require an entirely new CIM unit and the locking cylinders will have to be replaced. This can be costly particularly if you are purchasing a used vehicle.
The next step is to connect the column and row wires to the microcontroller. This is the most difficult part of the project and will require a great deal of soldering. There isn't a standard method to go about it, but you should consider how you will route and solder each column and row. There are 22 microcontroller wires and pins that you can connect for this keyboard. It has 5 rows and 17 columns.
Once the rows and columns are soldered, it's time to connect them to key switches. Solder a diode to each key switch pin. This will shield the pins from current, thus preventing them from getting shorted. A diode permits current to only flow in only one direction. It comes with a visual indicator that is black, that shows which way current will flow.
A few of the tools that are available at auto parts stores- such as the Autel MaxiIM IM608 Pro and IM508 -- may help customers in the shop, or even DIY customers in certain cases replace keys in the program and restore lost immobilizer data, Sanabria says. The tools connect to the OBD port and automatically guide the customer through the procedure, making it simpler than replacing the computer in the vehicle.
Jump-starting the battery
Most people keep a set of jumper cables in their trunks for emergency situations however, jumping a battery on newer automobiles might not be the best choice. These vehicles are equipped with numerous digital and computer systems that communicate with one another. A voltage surge when a battery is connected to another could cause damage to the components making your car inoperable.
Connect the cables to the vehicle operating. Let it run for two minutes. Attach the red clip on the positive terminal of the good battery. (It will read "POS" or "+".) Attach the other end to a clean and unpainted metal surface beneath the hood of the affected vehicle. The engine block is an excellent option. The black cable is not to be connected to the negative terminal of the dead battery. how to get a saab replacement key could trigger sparks, which would ignite the gasoline in the engine compartment.
Once the cables are connected, turn on the vehicle that has been disabled and let it run for approximately five minutes before disconnecting the cables in reverse order. The battery in your Saab 9-3 will recharge as you drive. It may take a while it to fall back. It's a good idea to purchase a spare fob as soon as you can, since replacing the only functioning one requires the installation of a brand new computer module and special programming to convince it that your missing keys aren't attempting to steal the car.
Replacement case
Saab owners often only have one car key, and if that is lost, they will be charged. The reason is that it's not cheap to replace a key, and it involves replacing the CIM (Column Integration Module) or TWICE on older models, and programming. In the event of theft, or any other catastrophe, it is best to have a spare key. However, don't purchase a secondhand key, even if it's "new." Keys that are claimed as new from aftermarket sellers will not work and are almost guaranteed to fail in the crucial moment.
The dealer will charge you the highest dollar for only one working key. However, we can reset and re-program the computer's EEPROM in order to prepare it to accept the new key without having to replace the whole system. This could save you a lot of money. It's also less expensive than waiting until you lose your only key.